Why THIS Episode Of Scrubs Hits So Hard

Through out the entire series run of Scrubs, it was able to bring you hours of laughter and happiness as well as a few moments of sadness. In the episode My Screw Up, Scrubs is able to take its audience through a vast range of emotion in telling one of the best stories the show has to offer. My Screw Up is truly a perfect episode.
#Nerdstalgic #Scrubs #PerfectEpisode
Editor - Dan Smiley
Writer - Chris Teregis

[@calebmccardell7030]

Only thing this video missed is Kelso's speech about how the thing you hate about your partner becomes the thing you miss most when it's gone. That's such a fantastic scene.

[@derbaba5266]

works perfectly with bens camera gone after he died as well

[@Richard_Nickerson]

@@derbaba5266 That's quite literally the point

[@LooopQ]

Kelso delivers some of the best lines in the whole show. One line that has stuck with me to this day was “Nothing worth having in this life comes easy”

[@metalm1ke]

@@Richard_Nickerson No actually that WASN'T "quite literally the point" of that quote AT ALL....Carla was bitching about HATING Turks Mole so much, to which Dr. Kelso replies to Carla about his wife's horrific snoring and how even after getting nasal surgery it got worse... but every time she goes out of town he finds himself unable to sleep "without the sound of that gasping, wheezing woman lying right next to me"..so to which he concludes with "But here's the point. You might find out that thing you hate so much is the very same thing you miss when it's gone."

[@L0rdwasch0r]

@@LooopQ Me and my wife put that line in our wedding rings. It really hits home for us.

[@nitestalkrr9272]

As soon as Brendan Fraser showed up, my heart sunk knowing exactly what episode was coming up.

[@AxxLAfriku]

HELLO!!! I want to spend time with celebrities. Just kidding. GAGAGAGAGA! I only want to spend time with my two girlfriends and record videos for KZbin with the 3 of us. OH YEAH. Don't hate me for living the best life, dear nit

[@returnalnocturnal7729]

@@AxxLAfriku don't be weird dude

[@dstinnettmusic]

@@AxxLAfriku do your two girlfriends roll bunts for you...?

[@scapegoat079]

frr

[@Ryadic]

It's why it's such a great episode. Just seeing him alone gives you all those emotions you felt when you first saw the episode. And it wanted you to feel those emotions.

[@thelandoftea9995]

“Where do you think we’re are?” Is one of my favourite moments that’s hit hard because the person who snaps Dr Cox back to reality is JD the guy who escapes from reality regularly

[@igolark]

Who s the only one who could understand when someone escapes from reallity

[@why_i_game]

I think that might be the best delivered line in the entire series. The way he says it with such genuine compassion for Dr. Cox really made that scene perfect. J.D. is great when saying his comedy lines, but that drama line was at 1000 intensity! It felt real.

[@randor73]

I was in my bedroom.. TV on, watching scrubs, as I ALWAYS did.. this episode had just bullrushed me into oblivion and I sat up and went downstairs, still reeling.. i looked at my wife and said "it was Brendon Frashier!" she of course had no idea, but from that point on, i NEVER missed another episode.. I got BOTH my kids into it and we watched this series until we knew every line! Thank you, for being such a great show!

[@JeffSchall]

It still gives me chills. I used to make girlfriends watch it with me, to see their reactions. Just... wow.

[@KahlevN]

@@why_i_game Yeah, you can feel the empathy with the word choice too, not asking what he's talking about, or who he's talking about/to. But knowing exactly what Cox was doing, as JD has done the same thing so many times as a coping mechanism himself. Then choosing that specific phrasing to gently wake Cox back up in a non-judgemental way. One of my favorite scenes in TV history.

[@MrsLaurenTho]

I've watched this episode so many times and never clocked the fact Ben stopped carrying his camera and didn't change his clothes. Brilliant analysis, thank you.

[@cvn6555]

I noticed the clothes but only thought it was an odd thing Ben would do. Didn't pick up on Cox being so upset over the death of some random patient.

[@danieldbeavers]

I never caught it either. What a great piece of detail in the writing and production.

[@BrockSamsonite]

Yeah it's because he's a ghost at that point.

[@jenparker2220]

I’ve seen this episode probably 30 times since it was aired decades ago, and I also only just caught the camera is missing. I did notice the same clothes, but given the type of character Ben was (kind of nomadic with his camera), it didn’t register as weird that he was still wearing the same clothes 😂😂

[@DONTworryIgotTHIS]

IMO it's super subtle because most of the time they are all wearing the same thing, they're all usually wearing scrubs so another person just wearing the same thing doesn't ring any alarm bells.

[@dorkdumproductions7900]

Props not only to the writers but also to Brendan Fraser for playing his small part so well and being so charming that his character dying really makes an emotional impact on the audience.

[@GeebusCrust]

I'm glad he's getting a lot of recognition again. Ben was my favorite character in the whole show, he was so well written *and* acted.

[@Aeimos]

I saw this episode when it aired while attending college. That ending really caught me off guard, I wasn't expecting that in the slightest.

[@kerrynicholls6683]

It’s not a ghost, It’s a hallucination. Which is what my doctor told me so fuck them. Doctors that is.

[@3katfox]

I cried when I realized Ben wasn't coming back (I was 11 and in love with him 😅)

[@t.fairuz29]

​@@3katfox Me too *cry five*

[@AnthonyLeePro]

It’s really bad that even just listening to this recap of the episode made me teary eyed. Such a good show.

[@MarcTamlyn]

Man, me too. The acting in the critical scenes at the end is as good as you could hope for from any hard hitting drama. Even without dialogue, it's perfect.

[@maahir3039]

same here.

[@kritichaplot5025]

Winter does it for me

[@AnthonyLeePro]

@@kritichaplot5025 Scrubs was always really good at finding the right song to curb stomp the emotions

[@jr2904]

Gets me every time, especially Joshua Radin's Winter

[@mtelewicz]

The thing I really love is when "Ben" tells Dr. Cox that he needs to forgive JD. Obviously Ben is dead, but I didn't really think of that at the time. So it isn't Ben telling Dr. Cox this, it is Dr. Cox telling himself. Really tells you a lot about the things Dr. Cox hides about himself.

[@highdefinition450]

Cox has so much trouble being honest about what he feels. This man needs a damn therapist

[@112scrubs]

​@@highdefinition450 That episode really made me appreciate Dr.Cox and JD's relationship. "And Perry, if there's someone in your life at that hell hole of a hospital who you actually listen to, you should do everything in your power to keep them around, because that person is nothing short of a genius."

[@Angelofdarkness48]

@@highdefinition450 dr cox sees a therapist. The therapist makes dr cox realize how much he relies on and values JD

[@jacobmerlo9789]

Maybe I remember the episode wrong but doesn’t Ben tell dr. Cox he needs to forgive himself?

[@moonwind6886]

@@jacobmerlo9789 it’s implied at 5:42

[@ZergrushEddie]

The most impressive part to me is that after The Reveal, Cox does not come off as insane or damaged. That quick sigh when JD says “where do you think you are?” makes it clear that he knew all along and was just in denial. Had Cox come off as crazy, I think the entire episode falls apart

[@jac0736]

Honestly the reveal makes me think of other episodes where Dr Cox goes through grief and it makes me think he's been drinking since Ben's death, which is why he's having the conversation about his kids party out loud with JD

[@SeraphsWitness]

Yea that's a great point. I think like most of Scrubs, you really need to compartmentalize certain things into the world of fantasy. Like the episode where the Janitor kidnaps JD and traps him inside a water tower... that is so absolutely ludicrous and insane (even for Scrubs) that I think we instinctually just pretend it didn't REALLY happen.

[@Smashology64]

It's a great point! For as many times as I've seen the episode, I always assumed that the reason why he was unable to see the truth of it was because he buried himself in his work. Denial the way he did it was like with his diagnosis episode and because of that was hallucinating because of the lack of sleep. For whatever reason there's a disconnect to the notion that Ben was the one that went into cardiac arrest. Also noting it never registered that he went when the camera left. So subtle!!

[@ChaotiKZeus]

if he came off as crazy, it basically would have turned into an episode of House.

[@hippyskinny]

I still remember watching this episode the first time. It was all there. All the clues were there right in front of you and the second JD said “where do you think you are?” I remember it slamming into place immediately. You knew exactly what had happened before the camera switched to Dr Cox standing there without Ben. I still can’t watch the episode without tears. Seriously impressive episode.

[@Fenrir_Hellbreed]

This episode really was a heartbreaker. Brendan Frasier of course was fantastic as always.

[@Mananpicar]

I agree, i think that's a testament to how good it is, if you're invested enough in the show you basically feel like you're Dr Cox, we're in denial, and when JD says that famous line, just like it clicks for Dr Cox it also clicks for the audience, without even needing to see anything else, that's the biggest testament to this episode there is

[@cre8tivbiz]

One of the best foreshadowing lines from this episode - Dr. Cox talking about the "event" (Jack's birthday/Ben's funeral): "I don't attend parties where the guest of honor has no idea what's going on"

[@albertozanin5171]

another one: in the scene where dc Cox basically kicks JD out of the hospital, he is in front of the patient that, at the time, we assume died, and we can hear the electrocardiogram beeping, revealing he's in fact alive

[@bradywilliams2951]

holy crap, that's powerful. I hadn't even put that together until you spelled it out.

[@akasia7]

This episode broke me. I had my suspicion that ben has already dead but like dr cox, I denied it. I fell into the writer's illusion. And when jd said "where do you think we are" i just simply cried so hard from realization. Truly masterpiece writing.

[@jameswashere187]

It really says something special about the writing of the show when a character is emotionally reacting to a situation the same way you are

[@joxerd]

I was watching the show for 3 days when this episode came, I had to take a week to go back to it with a different mindset and watch it slowly.

[@bangitybangbabang]

I didn't even slightly see it coming, when they showed Ben's picture I was in straight denial. Just stared at the t.v. in shock wracking my brains for any alternate ending. I watched it again on +1 and just sobbed all the way though.

[@Zalied]

when i first saw it i wondered where his camera went about 3/4th through the episode. and on some video someonw pointed out he said he would carry the camera until he dies. blew my mind that i was so close to solving it

[@abhiksampat3393]

For me what made me suspicious it was Ben who actually died was Dr. Cox's reaction to the whole situation. He sees patients die everyday in the hospital, some of who were in JD's care but he rarely has such an emotional reaction to the situation (other than the time he blamed himself for 3 patients dying because of infected donor organs). But like you said, I didn't want to believe it so I simply didn't :(

[@KingjadVCMP]

"Where do you think we are?" JD, being so used to having these crazy little daydreams where he escapes his own reality several times a day, asks the question no 'normal' person would ask, because he recognises that his mentor is doing what he often does himself. It's something that flew over my head in the past but it's really something none of us would really say in his situation.

[@raminazimi4978]

And he says it in a caring tone. Not to demean but to try and comfort him.

[@uhrensohn]

wow, I never looked at it that way

[@hakudoushinumbernine]

I want to like this more!!!!!

[@amykelley5331]

I would never have thought of that, but it makes perfect sense! I now see this in a whole new light!

[@highdefinition450]

Man, JD tries so damn hard with Cox and it's apparent here how much he cares for his mentor.

[@SXR123_YT]

Just more reasons why Scrubs is one of my favorite shows of all time.

[@hannahelizabeth1571]

It's such a good show. I don't even know how many times I've rewatched it at this point.

[@godaska]

I loved this show so much. I introduced it to a friend of mine and then he got into it and we quick became best friends and modeled a lot of our friendship after JD and Turk. We haven’t really stayed in touch since finishing school but we do catch up about once a year and watch the whole series (without the last season).

[@mo_bi_wan80s37]

❤️

[@simonyoung6880]

I recommend you watching One Tree Hill Series 1 to 5. They're also very good with great storylines and characters. Pure nostalgia. But one of the best series to me is the german netflix show DARK, about time travelling, and thus facing your older self including topics such as free will vs. determinism/fate. Super exciting! And far more woven, complex and deeper than anything Scrubs has ever written.

[@highdefinition450]

Really?

[@mirozen_]

Throughout the series I always loved the little moments that revealed that Doctor Cox was actually deeply caring and humane and that the "callous attitude" was essentially a way of coping with the realities he dealt with day to day.

[@cvn6555]

He was enraged that the others around him did not care as deeply as he did. He was willing to sacrifice everything to be the best doctor possible while so many would not.

[@biglittledwarf7976]

And the fact that he was physically abused as a child by his own father whilst his mother watched and did nothing...

[@Coldoroki]

Dr cox is a very complex character, that if you just look on the surface, you’d think he was just a dick, but sometimes as humans we act a certain way to hide how we really feel. Dr cox in reality cared more than anyone

[@reklom2334]

same with Bob Kelso

[@DannyMakesVideosIGuess]

​@@reklom2334 They mention this in the Fake Doctors Real Friends podcast but, the rivalry between Kelso and Cox is so good because beneath their callous exteriors, they both care deeply for their patients. Kelso cares because he wants to have the hospital make enough money to continue to help people while Cox will help every patient no matter if they can pay or not. Neither of them are villains, they're 3 dimensional characters.

[@ramudon2428]

I remember the episode where we follow JD, Cox, and presumably Turk or Elliot having a case each, where JD tells us at the start that one of three patients admitted to a hospital dies or something to that effect, and us following these three cases curious which one it will be. Only for them all to die, highlighting how some times the chips fall unfavourably across the line, against expectations, and realising that and living with that is a part of life.

[@southpark9987]

All three of the patients give something to the cast too. JD gets a reminder to take time for himself, Elliott gets confidence in her talent, and Turk learns to connect with patients

[@Porthos240]

S1E4. My Old Lady. One of my favourites as well. Where I first learned of the late Katherine Joosten.

[@Nick.Name5181]

That episode gets me in tears by the end every time

[@NoxPrincess]

That's my favourite episode from the whole show

[@Alakaizer]

The network tried to push for all three patients to survive. The creator insisted on all three dying. It was the better choice.

[@diydouchebag6765]

Feel like the episode with Michael J. Fox dealing with his OCD deserves an honorable mention

[@FatadayKorngor]

Probably one of the most underrated episodes in the show’s history

[@SamuelginTV]

it's a great one, but I feel like Elliot undercuts the tone a bit with it being kinda silly. like it's a comedy so of course overcoming something simple and basic like using a public restroom goes parallel with one of the most basic medical procedures

[@justinchandler6045]

@@SamuelginTV That would be the second episode with Fox. I believe he’s referring to the first one.

[@Hax9]

Definitely! There's a line that the character says: *"Everyone's got their own burdens, J.D., and I'm not gonna be one of those people that dumps mine on somebody else."* and it was so sad because you realise that it almost felt like this was Michael J Fox speaking about his lifelong trouble with Parkinsons and how that too must be such a burden for him. : (

[@AleehFM94]

Or the 4th episode of the show, with the old lady, or the first episode with Brenda Fraser, or 'My Lunch'. There are a lot of amazing episodes.

[@ridge9451]

Another genius part of the misdirection is that Dr. Cox tells JD (referring to the old man) “I’ve seen his EKGs, he’s not going to die in the next 30 minutes” And then when JD tells Dr. Cox of the cardiac arrest, JD says “20 minutes after you left, he went into cardiac arrest,” leaning into the possibility that what Dr. Cox really feels is guilt over the old man. Great writing.

[@sarahguthery6333]

Also considering that a block of television for a sitcom is 30 minutes... and he died in those 30 minutes.

[@zalamael]

Yeah, but JD was talking about Ben, not the old man. The audience was supposed to think it was the old man, because Ben popped up shortly after (as a figment of Dr Cox's imagination, due to him not being able to face the reality that Ben had suddenly and unexpectedly died). It was misdirection for the audience, with the twist coming at the end when you realise that it was actually Ben who had gone into cardiac arrest, and Dr Cox was in denial about it. He is finally forced to face reality at the funeral at the end. Also, the birthday party for Jack was also misdirection to mislead the audience. I agree that it is great writing, it works really well, but I disagree on the part about the old man. I don't remember the old guy dying, we were just supposed to think that was who JD was talking about.

[@ridge9451]

@@zalamael I think you might have misread my comment (or maybe I should have written it more clearly), because what you wrote is exactly the same reasoning as what I said. Edit: after going back and re-reading, I can see where my comment would be confusing because it was not written clearly. I think the main word in it is “possibility” of guilt over the old man.

[@zalamael]

@@ridge9451 Yeah, I was wondering. That is the bit that confused me, the guilt over the old man (who as far as I remember, his fate wasn't mentioned, he was used as a red herring). My bad.

[@TheMrDrProfGamer]

Futurama and Scrubs forever hold places at the podium for having the audacity to blindside me with feels the way they did

[@djw3384]

"Here lies philip j fry named for his uncle to carry on his spirit"

[@shaneodwyer6132]

I know the Futurama 1 ur on about, it was absolutely beautiful

[@jr2904]

The finale for scrubs with Book of Love playing gets my eyes most every time, no matter how many times I've seen it

[@Bakerseed]

You should give Bojack Horseman a try then!

[@TheMrDrProfGamer]

@@Bakerseed funny you should say that, I'm actually finally finishing out the last couple seasons

[@Sera-Marie]

I remember watching this episode alllllll those years ago, and when JD drops his infamous "where do you think we are?" line - my jaw nearly hit the floor, and it felt like someone had removed a part of my soul. I cried for 3 hours, full on ugly cried. This episode is very special to me.

[@Dan55888]

Man, you know it is a strong episode when someone just describes it and I feel tears welling up...

[@matthewheath7839]

Me too man. It's a hard-hitter

[@mattkhourie4037]

Between this episode and the one where Dr. Cox loses the 3 patients at once, it's hard not to call him one of the greatest characters of all time. Scrubs and Futurama are brilliant television for wrapping emotional assassins up im breezy sitcom affairs.

[@ccubsfan94]

So true, there was somebody that said they didn't watch scrubs because they hated Dr Cox, but liked House. I thought Cox had some of the best character development through the show, and usually when I get teary eyed it's when he's on screen.

[@mrclean7164]

Definitely one of the best

[@jac0736]

That other episode 100 percent makes me think the where do you think we are wasn't just some sitcom twist, but Dr. Cox probably showed up to the funeral shitfaced and probably was drinking on the job for those few days to the point where by the end he legitimately thought he was back at his kids birthday party like originally intended.

[@paulyguitary7651]

Yeah I feel like this is the best role John C McGinly has ever played. He has been in Oscar nominated serious movies like Platoon and bad comedy movies like Rob Schneider’s The Animal. Scrubs really let’s him flex his comedic and dramatic muscles in an amazing way.

[@pantalonesdemuerto7960]

That one was my first thought when they said 'best episode,' until I saw Brendan Frasier and said 'oh, damn, they're right.'

[@ericveneto1593]

Actual doctors consider it the MOSTT accurate depiction of the job.

[@imshysobekind]

Am actual doctor. Can confirm.

[@Alter292]

Dr. Mike doesn't seem to think so haha

[@zenagitana]

Yes! Even with the comedic exaggerations and fantastical storylines, it is a million times more accurate than ER, House, Gray's Anatomy, etc

[@hellfish2309]

@@Alter292 he’s focused on the medicine; I don’t think he’s opined on the interpersonal professional dynamics, which is what Scrubs is hailed for

[@Cab895]

Actual doctor can confirm... not sure what's up with Dr Mike haha

[@rhaegartargaryen9315]

Watching Scrubs was always a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughing to completely heartbreaking moments in the same episode with amazing characters and music.

[@marcfuchs6938]

"Don't you dare to use the words rollercoaster of emotions!"

[@gugusgigi]

Absolutely! It was even more emotional for me after I started working in a hospital.

[@ZZubZZero]

The music is truly superb. Not enough people in these comments mention the music. I really feel in this episode especially, at the key moment, the music plays a huge role in making people cry. Joshua Radin's Winter is really beautiful and emotional.

[@Conceptcreator]

Oh man Brendan Fraser!!! Such a good actor!!! Great video man!!!!!

[@d3vastat0r89]

Find a word that's better than 'good.' jkjk, we all know what you mean

[@Patbla417]

He even Won an Oscar 😦

[@franktibbitts3117]

I had no idea we lost Ben so early in the episode. The camera, the clothes, I must have watched this episode 10 times and never picked up on it. It's 2022 and this episode has managed to blow my mind again!

[@hiti6753]

Oh my god, I never realized WHEN in the episode Ben died until just now.

[@gotlactose]

Same, I didn't realize that the coding patient was Ben and that he didn't have his camera so much sooner than the scene at the cemetery.

[@Gazmus]

Same. I was pretty young when I watched it first time through and though I still claim it's the best (equal with my lunch) episode I've seen it maybe once since...still not going to watch it again.

[@DogMeatDelicious]

@@Gazmus Fair enough man

[@draxcir]

Every episode now makes me teary eyed ever since Ted passed away.

[@JacktheRah]

Sam Lloyd

[@sexymizfit1431muffin]

Agreed it's not the same knowing the hospital sad sack is actually gone

[@PapaJohn1O]

Wait what? I had no idea about this until now... when I was living in Los Angeles and working at at a smoothie bar/coffee shop Sam Lloyd came in and ordered a coffee from me once. I recognized who he was since I loved Scrubs so when I asked him about it he was nothing short of kind and sincere. We also talked briefly about acting and other stuff but it just really stuck with me how awesome of a guy he was and the fact that he took a little bit of time out of his day to talk to me. RIP Sam

[@constantreader1422]

dammit. i didn't know this. i saw his band perform ten years ago, they were so good.

[@aquilaFUN]

Scrubs was so perfect. I mean even the Guest Stars were casted perfectly almost everytime. Michael J. Fox´s performance for example was just fucking amazing.

[@15Seili]

The toilet episode with Elliot was amazing, since, not having self-confidence can be harsh in an environment like the medical field, since you are on edge most of the time. A flawed character like Fox' persona in the episode is an amazing gateway for people to seeing themselves in them. No matter the small or even grosse step (shitting on a toilet up on the roof) can be a major step for an individual.

[@jr2904]

My favorite actor in my favorite show, it was a dream come true

[@Tequila4Two]

Even Tara Reid fitted in nicely.

[@Richard_Nickerson]

The past tense of cast is cast

[@ryanevers8280]

@@Richard_Nickerson the past tense of fit is fit

[@JohnWilliams-ro8sx]

The episode with the rabies infected transplants gets me every freaking time. John C. McGinley was absolutely masterful in that episode.

[@downhomesunset]

His acting when the last patient dies was phenomenal. The other one that always gets me is when Laverne dies.

[@kinokochan]

This episode's misdirection is brilliant. Even knowing full well what's coming, the emotional gut punch gets me every time.

[@KyleRDent]

Brendan Fraser makes this show 1000% better even though he's only in a few episodes.

[@Nerdstalgic]

Brendan Fraser makes everything better

[@walterclements2]

What are you doing this Sunday????

[@geozav7590]

Sometimes the music that plays is as perfect as you can get

[@adilrahman1142]

Scrubs was the best when it came to giving you subtle clues and emotional gut punches. I remember how I felt when we find out what happened to Denise the paramedic that annoyed Dr Cox. That broke me.

[@frocat5163]

Right? I don't think it was quite as emotionally poignant as this episode, but was certainly solid and completely unexpected. I have always had a hard time seeing Molly Shannon as anyone other than Mary Katherine Gallagher or Teri Rialto, so I was totally unprepared for the reveal at the end of that episode.

[@SeraphsWitness]

AMAZING episode too.

[@hakudoushinumbernine]

Ohh yeah, that episode kills me. How shes so proud of him and but she talks of him like hes alive... it was definitely a gut punch.

[@maridanez]

That episode hit me so hard too 😢

[@highdefinition450]

Wait which one was that

[@Mcboogler]

Another episode along these lines is "My Old Lady". The episode starts with a misdirect about 1 out of 3 patients die. Then spends the entire episode developing those 3 patients and you genuinely don't want any of them to die... then they all do.

[@thefaceofinsecurity]

First time I saw that episode the scene with the old woman WRECKED ME

[@stevenbraun2090]

That one Episode, that introduced you to the real meaning of Scrubs. That Layer beyond the funny Jokes and Daydreams.

[@TylerHulan]

That's my favorite episode of all time.

[@DylanWills312]

also the first episode of the last (real) season. With JD and Turk comforting a dying old man.

[@raminazimi4978]

I love how he (JD) is afraid to leave her side.

[@Xale42]

Just goes to show with Scrubs and Ted Lasso that Bill Lawrence is just the master at balancing heart and humor in television.

[@Yami7947]

When Scrubs hits, it hits harder than anything any drama ever did

[@moxxy3565]

When I was a teenager I never realized how deep this show actually was

[@wladyslawaaron1443]

This show does the best trick - pretend to be light comedy but behind that fasade is so much more content

[@mensrea1974]

Yep. I watched it when it was on tv but I didn't really appreciate the writing until I was older and re-watched it on DVD. The writing is just spectacular.

[@bpdub21]

As an ER and ICU nurse I can say that comedy is the best way to portray hospital life, not drama. We need another medical Comedy!

[@Samcaracha]

As an ICU doctor I totally agree.

[@BCavenagoS]

Not only a comedy... it's much much more.

[@wjzav1971]

I was told that a lot of professions that deal with death around the clock like police and firefighters tend to have a very dark and twisted sense of humor.

[@juki6377]

i've never watched it because i dont like hospital shows, i might watch it because of this video.I remember briefly talking about it with a colleague and the whole bury it in the back of your brain and just say you are fine is absolutely a reality

[@is-yn6jf]

911 lone star has a lot of similarities to scrubs. I havent seen the original 911 but I think its less medical more firefighter

[@ryzekiv7147]

This episode hit me so hard...this one and the “one in every three patients” episode

[@kaicreech7336]

"My Old Lady."

[@gilliganallmighty3]

Also the ending of "My No Good Reason"

[@kaiji4419]

to me, those two and "my lunch" and "my fallen idol"

[@highdefinition450]

All great episodes

[@zion653]

Watched this episode several times, and that "where do you think we are?" line gets me every time. Even watching this video, I knew what was coming; yet, that line still made me choke up a little. A truly excellent episode.

[@truthbetold...5595]

I just saw Brendon Fraser with the camera and instinctively cried. That episode has been etched into my brain 😭

[@LaneyStudios5]

Scrubs has made me cry so much over the years, Ben dying, the episode where Cox quits over three patients dying because of rabies, JD and the old woman in season 1 with Hallelujah playing, the Janitor opening up to Elliot about being lonely, such good writing

[@downhomesunset]

Laverne dying....

[@longers1028]

My favorite episode has to be My Last Words. We have the glorious "steak night" hug greeting (which reminds me that Aziz Ansari was on this show), and then it turns into a bit of a bottle episode with Turk and JD just spending the night with a terminally I'll patient. Looking back, I think that episode is what sparked my passion for helping people and led me to becoming a social worker.

[@majorprofit]

I would add the episodes with Michael J. Fox in there because his characters struggle with ocd (nickel’s in a sock?) A reflection which reflected somewhat his own struggles with Parkinson’s. He wants to go home and have no struggles and live a normal life but he can not do that.

[@GSTURKENSTYLE]

@@longers1028 that is such an underrated episode. I don't see many people mentioning that episode.

[@KompetenteEnte]

@@longers1028 was that the episode with the "The Frey" song?

[@JennaLeigh]

As soon as Brendan Fraser landed on that car, my heart sank. I knew what was coming. The first time I watched the episode, I was so wrapped up in the story that I did NOT catch that Ben had died- the misdirection completely got me.... And JD's "Where do you think we are?" Was a massive gut punch. The music was perfect. Everything was perfect. Love this show so much.

[@highdefinition450]

Yo same

[@e.h.5680]

Everytime I see that scene I cringe as the car's hood clearly gets damaged.

[@TheAverageGatsby2]

With time Scrubs is feeling like the most underrated gold standard of sitcoms. No clue how this show continues to fly under so many people's radar.

[@bigfudge2031]

It's on the same level as friends, I personally prefer it over friends.

[@jonathandepue629]

@@bigfudge2031 scrubs is waaayyyy better than friends, in my opinion

[@lexi6081]

I think it's the main actor. He's someone that might not be everyone's cup of tea.

[@borismuller86]

Scrubs might have an unlikeable main character, but Friends is full of them.

[@longers1028]

Between Scrubs, New Girl, Brooklyn 99, The Office, Parks and Rec, etc., I've come to learn that laugh tracks actually ruin sitcoms. Or maybe it's that great writing should make you laugh without feeling the need to give you that cue. Honestly, my least favorite episode if Scrubs is the one where they add a laugh track and make it a satire on other sitcoms. It's so jarring and a divergence from what made this show great. But in the last minute of the show, they give you that "realness" moment that reminds you why Scrubs just hits differently.

[@jamamio]

Even a breakdown of the episode makes me tear up :'(

[@amywebb4586]

Scrubs was always a great show. I love Kelso's speech to Carla about what you miss most when it's gone; but I also love how it just makes you feel about the death of a character that we have only met one other time.

[@PiePie453]

You should do an entire episode on how Scrubs uses music to manipulate you and it's so obvious, but they pick so well it doesn't matter, you fall for it anyways

[@PiePie453]

@kollie79 I never knew that. Did they have to replace all The Fray stuff??

[@ccubsfan94]

Yeah, and streaming services are fucking that up

[@felixxddx]

@@ccubsfan94 Bill recently said they are trying to get the rights to as many songs as possible

[@thefaceofinsecurity]

“Hands of time” when JD and Kim break up because of the distance and Dr. Cox tells Jordan their second baby is a girl, that’s probably one of my all time favorites!

[@amstreater]

And then the music kicks in. Baba baba baba ba ba…

[@TarksGauntlet]

"Where do you think we are right now?" That line always hits hard. Completely shatters the illusion and makes us, the audience, feel some amount of connection to the characters, realizing we had been experiencing denial just as Dr. Cox was. That forced stop where you suddenly come to grips with reality. Hurts. Clicked on this video expecting it to be episode 314. Was not disappointed.

[@JonAddisonFilms]

Favourite channel covering my favourite ever show? EAAAAGLE!!!

[@xxxren3g4dexxx]

SAAAAAME!!

[@mjszy1]

Sammeee

[@Nerdstalgic]

Loving the love. Thanks y'all

[@dynasta34]

@@Nerdstalgic Lovin this vid too. More Scrubs video essays would be awesome

[@haven9013]

Best-show-five!

[@nervrenders]

Scrubs is my favorite show ever. I've seen every episode.... let's just say double digits each. Well except for Season 9 which doesn't exist for me because They ended the series PERFECTLY. I literally cry every time during the last scene... still. This show has some misses but even in them, the show is still fantastic. Wish more people didn't sleep on the series.

[@deathlokprime2645]

There is no Season 9 in Ba Sing Se.

[@Elzzaw]

@@deathlokprime2645 But there are cabbages.

[@deathlokprime2645]

@@Elzzaw 😜

[@randor73]

I am 50 years old, I have watched THOUSANDS of hours of sit coms.. this episode has always stuck out as the most touching sitcom episode ever! Scrubs is amazing!

[@FracturedPixel]

Dr.Cox episodes always hit different, like the one where he makes the call to give people vital organ transplants but doesn’t catch the donor having rabies

[@downhomesunset]

It's like what JD said-there are like 3 cases per year; it would have wasted time that people didn't have. Except for the kidney guy. And that one really hit Dr Cox hard.

[@everyoneash]

This episode, and my lunch, and my fallen idol, should have given jc mcginley an endless amount of emmys and the simple fact they didn't is tragic...

[@frocat5163]

I think 'My Deja Vu, My Deja Vu' deserves mention here, too. The final conversation between Cox and Elliot is amazing insight into Cox's character. Admitting to Elliot how it's so important that people see him the way they used to, and how sharing it with her is him showing her respect.

[@AlexMHardy98]

"I'll stop wearing this camera the day that I die" the new darkest line of cinema history

[@KayaksAreSpeedbumps]

As a true/obsessed fan of Scrubs, a very well deserved thank you. It can be extremely hard to describe Scrubs to someone who hasn't seen it, but you nailed it as good or better than any other I have seen, heard, or read.

[@simonhanson795]

This show really is an incredible achievement for television. The way it walks the line between comedy and drama. This episode really is the peak of that. This episode had so many funny moments yet hit such a moving moment so flawlessly all in 22 minutes. I can't even imagine how many drafts this episode probably had in order to accomplish all this as flawlessly as it did.

[@TheSluremus]

Alongside "My Old Lady" and "My Lunch", this is my favorite episode of the entire series. In fact, I think it is one of the best written episodes of any television series.

[@andrewkearley6900]

And that final line of "where do you think we are?" Gets me every time, his death was completely out of left field.

[@SaturdayParker]

Yeah I didn't pick up on any of the clues

[@shadowbiker02]

I have seen this episode dozens of times and every single time that line, "Where do you think we are?" kills me.

[@SeraphsWitness]

Totally. I remember the first time watching this episode, I didn't even suspect anything until Dr. Cox was in a suit at the end. I'm like dang, he's way overdressed for a 1 year-old's birthday party. lol

[@Sephiroth144]

@@shadowbiker02 Hells, just seeing it in this video...

[@kpopical]

Just the line “where do you think we are?” has me in tears. I think this episode of Scrubs and Jurassic Bark from Futurama are the only two 20-minute episodes of tv that always make me cry

[@JennaLeigh]

I can't rewatch Jurassic Bark. Watched the entire series more than I can count, but I will never rewatch that one ep. Scrubs is my all time fave show.

[@funkie1221]

@@JennaLeigh Same. It just hits you in the feels so darn hard. I remember almost every single scene about this episode altough I only watched it once over 10 years ago.

[@moroseloki1912]

Oh man I was Happy now idk Happiness is fleeting

[@CloroxJelloShot]

My Screw Up and Jurassic Bark are always the episodes I point to when people ask why I like the respective series. One other episode for Futurama I like to mention is Game of Tones from the Comedy Central run. Watching Fry get to comfort his mom in her dreams and tell her he was safe and alive was enough of a kick in the heart. But when it shows his mom asleep and smiling, I cry like a baby.

[@kenshin5150]

I never rewatch Jurrasic Bark. Scrubs makes me cry, but still i gladly rewatch and cry again. But NEVER Jurasic Bark. Its just too dark

[@killerofzombs115]

Every. Single. Time. Every time I see that end scene where Ben disappears, I start to cry, and even though I know what's coming, I still cry. That's how you know that a character is so likeable, and the story is so well written.

[@ByAzura]

I seen this episode 500 times and the “where do you think we are?” Still crushes my soul

[@ClayDevil]

The writing in Scrubs really was one-of-a-kind. It's definitely one of my favorite comedy shows.

[@terrymyers699]

Thats why I like (producer) Bill Lawrence's shows. He brings so much out of everyone's contributions. Although a totally different show, it's the same reason I love the quirky "Tedd Lasso" show. Bill brings out so much from the characters.

[@ClayDevil]

@@terrymyers699 wait, Bill Lawrence made Ted Lasso? Now I HAVE to check it out, my family has been bugging me to and I hadn't yet.

[@terrymyers699]

@@ClayDevil Yep, that's his baby, too. I believe I didn't notice until the 3rd ep... Then it clicked why the show was so good (for me). You'll love it. Just enough quirk to be enjoyable w/out going over the top. And the characters all gave that same lovable feel to them as does Scrubs.

[@cathal8618]

This episode and My Lunch are the only 2 sitcom episodes that have ever made me cry. Crazy to think how funny both episodes are as well, they always knew how to balance it so well

[@sikufox]

what about my steak dinner?

[@Killer_Rabbit23]

@@sikufox I think you mean My Last Words? But yes, the ending to that one always gets me.

[@sikufox]

@@Killer_Rabbit23 I believe the last words were "we're going to steak night. we're gonna eat it right"

[@_the_rizzler]

Have you watched Community? That show had some emotional punches. Never made me cry personally, but Ik people who did

[@izzieluv]

My Lunch is an amazing episode.

[@themightyfig2]

I think the "How to save a life" scene, you know he one, is a close second to this. Always hits you like a truck when Dr. Cox loses it and just walks off completely broken.

[@e.h.5680]

I actually break even more in that episode when Cox shocks the guy for the third time and throws the paddles in anger saying "COME ONNN"

[@Flintstone228]

Crying just watching the recap. Love this show.

[@jesussalazar1020]

This was one of my favorite roles by Brendan Fraser. He just plays a humorous caring character in a sad storyline that mostly reflects on his best friend, Dr. Cox.

[@QuickStudy4]

I never noticed those details when I watched this episode and the only episode that had a harder hitting ending for me was the one with transplants going wrong and Cox just walks out.

[@22burnsie]

I’m already crying 😢 This show was incredible and I know this episode too well

[@SuperSasuke2012]

Scrubs was a Masterpiece. It manages to make us laugh and cry in the duration of a same episode multiple times.

[@ludgatecircus15]

60 year old man here. I have cried watching a movie or TV show maybe 10 times. This was well into the list of 10. The whole series is well written - how do you create such a wacky show with substance? That episode was incredible.

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

I just watched your video, and despite hearing your voice instead of the actors lines (and knowing what’s coming) it still gets me. Every time. It’s perfect.

[@dstinnettmusic]

“Where do you think we are?” *Joshua Radin starts playing* Me: who left all these onions here?

[@celo7carvalho]

Scrubs introduced me to Joshua and he quickly became my favourite musician and his music got me through many hard times in my adolescence and adult years. a couple years ago he came to perform in BRazil for the first time, and I went to see him, no need to say that I was a PUDDLE. it was also a very small cafe and I got to sit down with him and thank him for everything, and brought back his autograph on a napkin. a perfect night

[@kirmityou]

It's okay to cry!

[@Ross8k60]

Every time I think about "Winter" this episode and particularly that scene just pops right into my mind and vice-versa

[@DisrespecfulSyrup]

We*

[@RobertJW]

That cue in of Winter is the single best use of licensed music in the history of television.

[@gabefromaustralia]

This show was a game changer for TV shows, and for what comedy could produce for its characters emotional depth. Proof of this is that episodes like this still hold up till today, and my tears are proof of how effective just the memory of watching this episode was.

[@Aaron-kj8dv]

There's so few shows that can be both hilarious and emotional at the same time

[@bloodless653]

Even under your voice over, that moment of "where do you think we are?" and Dr. Cox at the funeral gave me chills and made me start to well up. This is one of those episodes that gets me everytime. And as many times as I've watched it, you still pointed out things I never picked up on, like Ben no longer carrying his camera around after he's actually dead. Great video. You've given me a little bit more appreciation for this episode of Scrubs that I already love for it's incredible and emotional story.

[@talldave1000]

Awesome job with the breakdown. I loved SCRUBS and still wish the show was running. Every episode was an emotional rollercoaster; some, more than others. It definitely made an impact on my life and showed me so many levels of humanity.

[@skaarahoon7635]

As an aspiring writer, I usually watch this episode when I get writer's block. Also, Brendan Fraser was the perfect actor for this episode. Supernatural heart episode is another well-written acted episode. The ending hits like a rock.

[@stephennichol3620]

Scrubs Season 3 is on another level. They also have the 3 episodes with Michael J. Fox which are amazing as well.

[@Sugarman96]

It's been a while since I've rewatched the series, but he was a doctor with severe OCD, no?

[@srldwg]

@@Sugarman96 yes

[@Sugarman96]

@@srldwg Yeah, thought so. I don't really remember much of the actual plot with him, but I do vividly remember the one very difficult scene where he just keeps washing his hands and freaking out about getting it wrong.

[@NotSoRandom_]

It’s a shame the way the writing of the characters relationships aren’t fully fulfilled in the last seasons and the writing got sloppy. That fairytale ending was shite and they had to do a makeshift ending with those annoying fucking interns

[@MyStylist.Naomi12]

The first time I watched this episode I was SO confused and upset by it that I immediately watched the whole thing over again then and there. I absolutely didn't see it coming. They did this SO well there wasn't even a hint unless you were paying attention. So unbelievably well done.

[@NotSoRandom_]

This was one of the best tv shows because of how quickly it could change from hilarious to harsh emotionally hitting reality

[@helzapoppin9810]

This consistently polls as the most beloved episode of the entire series, and for good reason. Absolute perfection. I remember being absolutely floored the first time I saw it.

[@papaphonzo8703]

scrubs is definitely one of those series you don't forget and is insanely hard to replicate and pull off.

[@bryanh5097]

Scrubs' writers are geniuses. How you can make a show be so funny and so gut-wrenching in a 20 minute span is just impressive. The fact that they only received one Emmy nomination for writing and didn't win is a sin that the Academy will have to live with for the rest of time.

[@jayanths1221]

This reminded me of an episode from 'How I Met Your Mother' where Ted is having a fun time with his friends at a bar but in the end it turns out that he's just reliving a memory from 5 years ago when he didn't feel lonely and desperate. When Barney says "Look around Ted, you're all alone" and the camera pans out to show an empty bar, it really hits hard. It's especially hits hard when you rewatch the series and realize why present day-Ted says he wishes he could travel back to that day, so he could have those extra 45 days with Tracy...

[@colterpett8590]

I think How I Met Your Mother is the only other sitcom that is in range of the emotional complexity that Scrubs has. They are so different, but so similar

[@alyissaaragon6943]

Apples and oranges. Both good shows but you can't compare them

[@Pherioxus]

@@alyissaaragon6943 pretty sure OP made a pretty good comparison of the two shows though

[@moonwind6886]

Do you remember the name of the episode?

[@youradhere5761]

@@moonwind6886 it's S8E20: The Time Travellers

[@SonRob01]

I’ve recently got into a swing of bingeing scrubs on UK Disney + and this episode took me completely off guard it’s amazing how this show can be so funny and wacky but becomes grounded in the Realities of life in a hospital or generally how we have relationships with friends, family and other loved ones

[@lidlllTTTTT]

The highs and lows 👌 comedy and laughter 1 second and then after one sentence, the characters have a small pause *da-da-dada da da da da...

[@ashthedragon3790]

I grew up watching scrubs but none of the episodes ever cemented in my memory like this one. So emotional and amazing I don’t even have words to explain how much I love this episode and how much it truly has always meant to me even not being able to relate to it

[@ChestertonB]

I dont think you can underestimate how powerful Josh Radin's Winter being played as we realise what is happening is. The music really adds so much emotion to an already moving scene.

[@GordyByGordy]

I can't believe the timing. You dropped this video essay on the same day Sam Lloyd died. Tragically fitting.

[@Tunlum]

You're a year out but yeah it is unfortunate timing

[@M.W.2]

Ben hits harder only cause he's the first real big trauma you get from the show. Dr. Cox transplant was way harder for me to watch

[@shelbyseelbach9568]

Laverne's death.

[@RickyBBlessed]

Same. The reveal of Ben's death made me a little teary but when the patients started crashing and Cox lost it I started to bawl, just thinking about it now gets me a little emotional.

[@drewbottle9962]

Dude that episode hits me so hard every time.

[@tyf.5111]

Ben's episode and the failed transplants episode both kill me. Seeing Cox completely fall apart is devastating.

[@tjgokuss3]

thanks to that episode I cry evrey time I listen to The Fray's song... "where did I go wrong I lost a friend" :'(

[@michaelwilson5114]

You know it hit hard when you know the episode just by the title without even seeing the thumbnail or even clicking on the video.

[@atomicsamurai8967]

Damn I completely forgot about this episode. Holy crap it STILL hits just as hard as the day i watched it. Never watched a series that made me laugh and cry as much as scrubs did. Truly a masterpiece of a show.

[@dijonjohn1011]

This one of the few episodes I remember, and I used to watch this show everyday after junior high. When I was a kid, I didn't see the twist coming at all. The two actor's deliveries, are so fucking heart wrenching.

[@drewnohe8013]

This episode and My Philosophy (Elaine's death) were absolutely brutal tearjerkers through my watch through. Scrubs man.... what a damn fine show.

[@MordanaRapture]

This one is almost as good (in a sad way) as the rabies episode. That one extremely emotional scene has such solid acting, not only from dr. Cox but Carla as well. Gets me every time 😭

[@corbinbishop1991]

I'll always remember that feeling has Ben vanishes at the funeral. Felt so dumb for not noticing it, but it hit so hard at the same time. Absolutely love Scrubs!

[@eda8541]

I watched lots and lots of sitcoms but I somehow always come back to Scrubs and this video explains everything. The episode is my favorite Scrubs episode and it gives the humor, relationships and emotionality in such a balanced and coherent way. It makes you feel real, i love it. I love this show.

[@Scott-hb1xn]

Dr. Cox is my favorite character on the show- I have never figured out why... I have been massively bingeing on Scrubs the past couple weeks- and it sometimes kills me...

[@officialniktheking6891]

One of the best sitcomes, if not the best. The amount of seasons Scrubs kept up the bar is very high. The Office lost itself somewhere around season 5, for example and yet it has an insanely big fanbase. Scrubs first 6 seasons were all equally fantastic and that's hard to do. But you dont hear about it daily.

[@Blackmanbubbs]

"Man I hate missing practice.....MIGHTY KITES"

[@Dark3rka0s]

I knew exactly what episode he was going to be talking about and I knew I was going to cry. Still clicked on the video.

[@TheBamaChad-W4CHD]

This was a particularly great episode in a solid good show. There were so many awesome episodes. This one though? Damn near the perfect episode of a television series. In it's format it was a freaking masterpiece.

[@VincentDeLuca2003]

The writing was truly amazing. It’s amazing how there’s so many Easter eggs and subtle things they were able to hide in this episode. Makes me appreciate it all the more.