While I never tire of funny Turk and JD stories, it seems like I’ve seen part of this episode before (Back in Season 1 with, My Old Lady, and last season with My Last Words). I guess with a 9 year old show it’s hard not to repeat stories. In fact I think this story of a dying patient didn’t have anywhere near the feel of the previously mentioned two. Whether that’s because it’s harder to do with 4 people versus 1 or 2 or because it was rushed, I dunno. While I’m on things that I’m still not keen on, I still don’t know about the new version of the theme song by WAZ. Thoughts?

    With that being said, what was nice was some character development from the new students. Finally, we get to see Cole (Dave Franco) finally show a side of himself other than being a jerk. Which everyone recognizes, as seen by Denise and Dr. Cox’s small talks about Cole. Maya (Nicky Whelan), finally got to say a few words but still all we know about her so far is that she is hot and Australian… not that that is bad, just makes you wonder if she will be in the show for the long run. The best moment for me was when Drew had a “Dr. Cox moment” at the end with Lucy. “Atta Girl”

    Ted.  Ted is always funny. Whether it be talking like Eeyore, singing, or having epic moments, like his departure. He does it so well, and while I’m not sure his goodbye was necessary in this season, it’s always nice to see him and Gooch. The Final Countdown played by Gooch, especially being referenced earlier by Cole, was a perfect finishing touch.

    The JD and Turk story worked really well, mainly because I don’t think we have seen them really struggle with getting older, and Dr. Cox played such a integral part in being there for that. I still want a Bro-a-palooza shirt though and I’ll never quit wearing ironic t-shirts.

     Sorry about the lateness of the review. Scrubs comes on on my volleyball night so I’ll try to do better. Past that, how does everyone else feel?

• Final Countdown by Europe (Cole sings it during Final interview & Gooch plays on the ukulele as Ted leaves for good)
• Coexist (Pat & Jiam Radio Remix) (Turk and JD finish a dance in The Muc club)
• Keep Talking by Kurt Farquhar (Dr. Kelso says goodbye to Ted & Gooch)
• For Your Love by Marching Band (Cox shows off his new screen saver, everybody embraces truth)

Quotes:

Lucy: I think we all need to let loose and in my case, let Lucy…

Kelso: Theodore, I always assumed that someday we would just find you dead in your office.
Ted:  Yea, that was the dream.

Gooch: We’ve written a song for every state.
Dr. Cox:  I’m sure I’ll hear all of them when I die and go to hell.

Ted: It’s too late sire, I’ve already taped it.
Gooch:  Ted Buckland.
Ted (talking about Kelso): He brings it out in me.

Dr. Cox: Now you are the host of this party and to some extent the voice of your generation, while I sadly acknowledge that heralds the coming apocalypse, I do value your opinion on one thing in particular.
Cole: Wow. You’re like Shakespeare yo.
Dr. Cox: I am. I am like Shakespeare yo.

JD:  Sometimes reality takes the form of a kick to the head.

Drew (to Lucy): Are you choosing to smile and ignore the insult because he called you hot stuff? Atta girl.

Ted: Well honey…play me out.

Greatest Moments:

• JD’s speech from Fame and the hallways acknowledgement with Lucy
• Dr. Cox falling through the ceiling, as a result of escaping Ted & Gooch’s 50 states songs.
• …the songs for each of the 50 states…
• Cox & Cole interaction…they work so well together. “Where’s the jackass?”
• Drew’s Dr. Cox moment with Lucy was amazing. I really like Drew as a character.
• Ted’s exit.

    First off, I really do like the new Scrubs. There are a few things that just seemed awkward. And having read too much, quite a few characters that I felt myself missing.  It was good to see the Janitor (Neil Flynn), and though I do hope to see him again and that his new show “the Middle” goes well, I keep wanting to see him. The dude was a comedy genius. Sorry about the nostalgia, I could go there with a lot of people…especially Ted, but I’ll try to focus on “Our First Day of School. Though on a side note I can already see how the School Security will be to the new class what the Janitor was to J.D.

     Denise works well with the new cast. I’m glad that she will be one of the regulars with Dr. Cox and Turk. Speaking of characters not staying, I do love Zach Braff…and in a way, the show will be completely different without him and some may even wonder how it will survive. However, there were many times that I found myself tired of JD and wondering why he was brought back. I mean seriously, it’s a year later and he is back at Sacred Heart. I would have been pretty happy without confirmation of how he and Elliot ended. And his jokes, seem like old material (still funny) but being replayed instead of giving new characters shots and the punch lines.

    The new cast I do like though. While I think I could have done without carrying over the voiceover it is a trademark of the show. I am glad that of all the new cast we saw they chose Lucy (Karry Bishe) to carry on the tradition. Her first interaction with Denise was excellent. And Dr. Cox’s orientation speech to the class was truly legendary. I love the visual of them being murders and assassins trying to kill his patients. Classic Cox.  But don’t discount Turk as a teacher either. His scary black doctor speech made me feel a little fearful.

    Drew (Michael Mosley) seems like very solid character. I love the sarcasm and his whole demeanor.  Past being the new romantic fling for Denise, I can see why Dr. Cox likes him. He is truly a young Dr. Cox.  As for Cole (Dave Franco), I just don’t know what to think…he reminds me a lot of Ed (Aziz Ansari) from Season 8.  I wonder if they will ever develop him or eventually boot him like Ed.

    The good thing it, it’s still Bill Lawrence and it’s still very funny. I just like to laugh. Anyone else watch?

Our Music

Episode 9.01 – Our First Day of School

- Guy Love by Zach Braff & Donald Faison ( J.D. and Turk run across campus for their reunion, after riding to work together.)

- Out Of Place by WAZ (J.D. talks Lucy into standing up to Dr. Cox.)

Episode 9.02 – Our Drunk Friend

- Perfect by Shane Drasin (J.D., Turk and Denise at the bar.)
- Moenjodaro by So So Radio (Turk, Drew and Kelso at the bar.)

Quotes

Denise: Commence Eating

Dr. Cox:  Hold that thought…forever.

JD: You smell like prison.

JD: Could you be a doll and get a message to Dr. Turk  ASAP? Tell him I’m stuck in a tree again, but this time there appear to be many bees.

Lucy: Sorry, I was jsut hiding from one of my teachers, it’s a little game we play.
Patient (Alan): Really?
Lucy: No, you can win at games.

Turk: I’m talking gremlins woman!

JD: Fonzie couldn’t take care of a gremlin, he’s too busy being cool.

Denise:  You’re gonna hit that aren’t you?
Dr. Kelso: Like a big rig with no breaks.
Denise: That was disturbing.

Greatest Moments

• Dr. Cox’s orientation speech.. what a teacher, but we knew that.
• I would totally watch a TV show about Fonzie and a Gremlin.
• the Todd’s crazy psycic “Sex” sense
• The mix of old characters and new
• Loved the new security guars…they feel very Janitor-ish.

• Zach Braff (J.D.). He really is the face of Scrubs, but he is only signed on for 6 of the 13 episodes this season.
• Donald Faison (Turk) and John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox) will be the only two returning full time cast members. While I love both of these guys it does make it more of a Frazier to Cheers show…then again, Frazier worked really well.
• Judy Reeves (Carla) won’t be on teh show at all, even as a guest for now (source). Since most of the old “regular” cast will pop in and out it seems, to me at least, it will be awkward not seeing Carla around. This can even take on a new dimension when you realize that Donald Faison (Turk) is one of the main characters now.
• The rest of the cast is uncertain. I get that the change in scenery will make it easy to miss a lot of the original cast on a regular basis. But this to me adds a layer of confusion. Neil Flynn (Dr. Jan Itor) will return for the first episode. Ken Jenkins (Dr. Kelso) will also return and will appear in, at least, the first two episodes. Sarah Chalke (Elliot) is also signed on for only 6 episodes I hear.
• Narratives/Daydreams… there is also a rumor (thought I can ‘t find my source) that one of the new students will be taking over the narrative like J.D. did previously.

    I’m sure there are other very creative things to say here…but theses are some of my chief concerns (also a past Scurbs episode title I know). I do think it’s important that we all give the “new” Scrubs a chance. For those interested, I do plan to recap the first few shows…but I’m also thinking about doing a contest for the recaps in the future.  Possibly something like submit your review which must include a quotes section at least and a  run down of the episode.  The issue is I’m not sure what to do for prizes… Per episode, I know I can’t afford anything major. I do plan to keep the Scrubs Music page updated though. Anyways, enought about that.
    What are your thoughts on the new season? Or anything else I have said.

*photo taken from http://scrubs.wikia.com

   Dr. Cox was sufficiently humanized yet remained very…errr…Cox-ish? Kelso’s role was ended well and Ted got to keep his girl. Very cool. Turk was amazing the whole episode.  And I so wish I had a copy of the book that JD made for Dr. Cox. Sheer brilliance. JD not only herd the praise from Dr. Cox that he always wanted but also got that hug. Maybe he didn’t get it back but he didn’t get punched for it either.

   I have to admit something else, first I knew the janitor’s name (Glenn Matthews) and was right. So nah nah nah na na. But after that, I will admit that despite going into the season an anti-JD/Elliot enthusiast, I was turned. During JD’s fantasy/future sequence I was cool with what he visualized. Especially the sort of ode to Will and Grace part with Turk and JD’s kids. The kicker to it all though is it was still left undetermined. JD’s fantasy was just that. You decide for yourself. The Janitors name, well right after that someone called him Tony, so even that wasn’t certain, decide for yourself.

  There was so much nostalgia in this episode and I loved every minute of it. The random callbacks such as Dr. Cox’s rant to Sunny that he had used on JD long ago, the reference to wanting a “sitcom ending” (Cheers?), and I’m sure a few other things that I’ll find the next time I watch it.  The string of guest stars in his fantasy walk out were delightful. My favorites were Lonnie, Hooch (who is crazy), Dan, Collin Hay (who I expected music from) and Ms. Tanner (the old lady who told him to just lay in the grass, which I do often now in honor of Scrubs). I wish we could have had seen a few others like Michal J. Fox (Dr. Kevin Casey) and Brendan Frazier (Ben), but what we got was more than satisfying. However I  am disappointed there was no cameo by Hugh Jackman.

In the end though, change is hurts more than you expect. JD wanted a grand send off and though he had some moments with people, he eventually walked out alone to get in his car one last time and drive away from Sacred Heart. Luckily though, since some much was implied, given alternatives, or fantasized it’s easy for a fan to draw their own conclusion, or even come back if they wanted to in some fashion.

Thanks to Scrubs for a great final* season and a spectacular 8 years. Scrubs was easily one of the best shows on television and despite it feeling like I’m losing a friend, I’ll still have my DVD’s. In my opinion, Scrubs has set a standard for television that’s is near impossible to match. Some shows may get the drama right or the comedy, but I doubt any show will ever do as well as Scrubs all around. Farewell Scrubs… Goodbye five?

Also, sorry if I went a little picture happy, but it was awesome.

What did everyone else think?

My Music (Scrubs Music):

- Snow [Hey Oh] by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (intro as JD thinks back)

- The Book Of Love by Peter Gabriel or try iTunes  (playes during JD’s walk down the hall.)

- Two versions of Superman are played. One is an instrumental version played during JD’s future/fantasy montage the other is a version by Ted’s band, the Blanks sung during the credit outtakes (youtube version)

My Quotes:

JD: …the number next to each passage is a rating from 1 to 5 based on how much that particular passage hurt me emotionally…

Ted: Aww man, they got my coffee wrong.
Carla: How’s that?
Ted: Because it’s dirt.

Dr. Cox: Un…let it arrive…acceptable

JD: We smell like regret

Janitor: If you surprise someone with an accusation they are more likely to tell you the truth.

Dr. Cox: I’m real sorry there, newbie. But this is not a special day for me. It’s just a day.

JD: Endings are never easy. I always build them up so much in my head, they can’t possibly live up to my expectations, and I just end up disappointed. I’m not even sure why it matters to me so much ow things end here. I guess it’s because that we all want to believe that what we do is very important: that people hang on to our every word, that people care what we think. The truth is, you should consider yourself lucky if you even occasionally get to make someone, anyone, feel a little better. After that, it’s all about the people you let into your life.

My Greatest Moments:

• EAGLE!!!!
• Turks growls during the hug
• Elliot and Carla’s hug was awesome. “It’s happening!”
• JD really did put the penny in the door.
• Any of the Janitor stories. They are some of the funniest parts of the show. Muh-night Shamalon…
• Dr. Cox’s rant book has to be the best book ever. I wish I could buy it.
• The Janitors name, Glenn Matthews…or is it?
• Dr. Cox tells someone how he really felt about JD and allows him to get a hug.
• The whole kind of choose your own true ending worked well.
• The memory lane trip down the hall to “Book of Love” was done so well. Bravo.
• Bill Lawrence pulls down the screen at the end, how fitting.

Don’t Miss the Credits:

A great collection of outtakes set to  an acapella version of Superman, the shows theme. Neil Flynn’s alternative rant was amazing and fries being thrown at Ted, so funny.

Thoughts on the episode? Discuss?

My Music:

– Winter Song by Sara Bareilles with Ingrid Michaelson (as Turk and JD discuss the future…and JD realizes that change hurts more than you expected)

According to thrfeed.com, Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence is in talks with NBC about renewing Scrubs for a 9th Season.

from the article:

ABC is in talks to renew the veteran comedy "Scrubs" for a ninth season with some or all of the original cast members coming back full or part-time.

We have heard for sure that Zach Braff is leaving, while some places say for sure, others say probably…honestly, I don’t even think he knows. Lawrence and Judy Reeve have both said something similar at points.  Add that to the fact that Donald Faison, John C. McGinley and Neil Flynn are starring in piolts next year and you end up with even more confusion.

I’m not sure that the new interns have been developed enough to carry the show, but I would probably watch anyways. Zach has mentioned at times that if Scrubs continues he would make various guest appearances. However, if there is no Carla what about Turk, etc, etc, etc.

I love Scrubs and hate to see it go, but don’t do it unless it can be done right. The whole thing reminds me of how NBC eventually screwed up the West Wing.

But I digress… thoughts?