Can we talk about Scrub's episode "My Screw Up" 20 years too late? (Major episode spoilers... 20 year old spoilers)

Submitted by ChaserNeverRests t3_11ahe1e in television

I'm lucky enough to be watching Scrubs for the first time (BIG THANKS to people mentioning it on this sub so often!). I loved the show from the very first episode, and my love has only grown, but this episode broke me so badly.

The big reveal at the end, when JD asked >!Where do you think we are?!<, I just burst out crying. I can't believe how hard and how fast it hit me, I don't cry easily.

I can't believe how good this show is. Episode after episode, it somehow just keeps getting better and better.

I know the show is 20 years old, but if people wouldn't spoil episodes after this one (S3E14), you'd have my thanks.

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mlena095 t1_j9s3bfe wrote

Now watch it again and you can catch the twist when it happens early in the episode.

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ChaserNeverRests OP t1_j9s3rgn wrote

I'm excited to do that! I watch only one episode a night so I can make the show last, but tomorrow I'm going to rewatch this one instead of move on to the next new one.

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hodgeyhodgey t1_j9s5lwx wrote

If you're only watching an episode a night and you're into podcasts, you might enjoy their (Zach/JD & Donald/Turk) rewatch podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends. Gives some extra background and they often have guests on

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eunoiared t1_j9smtj5 wrote

I haven't listened to them in a while, but other than the first few episodes, the later episodes mostly consist of their banter about a lot of things other than Scrubs. If you like both personalities, great. But if you want some insight into the show, pick the one with more noteworthy guests like Bill Lawrence.

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Sanderf90 t1_j9uc090 wrote

Or any episode featuring John C McGinley he brings notes and keeps the two others on focus.

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TinyRodgers t1_j9uf7bu wrote

Thats my issue with alot of these show podcasts. They often aren't about the actual show.

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Milk93rd t1_j9t5flu wrote

That’s Bill Lawrence’s podcast!

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bros402 t1_j9tfkd1 wrote

imo OP should've listen until being finished, since it has spoilers for the series

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BigEvil621 t1_j9s7zf6 wrote

Refresh my memory? What’s the twist earlier in the episode?

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been_mackin t1_j9si5lb wrote

It’s heavily implied that the code red patient JD gets is the elderly gentleman from earlier in the episode - I believe JD, Turk and Elliott are all at the prescription window and JD suddenly says “that’s a code red” and runs off like he would any other episode, while Turk and Elliott continue their conversation.

After that, Brendan Fraser is exclusively seen with Dr. Cox, teasing him with patients and making him laugh with his colleagues, but he doesn’t have his camera (I’ll take pictures until the day I die) and nobody else can see him/can’t understand Dr Cox’s reaction to mostly serious questions/input on the job - only thing is that he is pissed at JD and refuses to leave the hospital then so “nobody else dies on his watch”.

The whole second half of the episode is this scenario, and it all culminates to Dr. Cox walking with Ben to, what we (and apparently Dr. Cox) think is jack’s birthday party. Cox says something to Ben asking why he doesn’t have his camera to take pictures of crying babies and shit, which JD then appears in a black suit asking Cox “where do you think we are?”.

That snaps Cox and the audience back into reality where we are at Ben’s funeral and he was a figment of Perry’s imagination the whole time, the code red was Ben’s cardiac arrest and Dr. Cox can’t process it because it’s his best friend.

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derek_sinkro t1_j9s8q9w wrote

That when JD was telling Dr Cox about the patient that had passed it wasn’t the old guy in the wheelchair as we were led to believe

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Fareacher t1_j9s2zl3 wrote

One of the best episodes of television of all time.

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KneeHighMischief t1_j9sgzuz wrote

It really is. Scrubs was a fairly popular show that ran for quite a while yet is still underrated. NBC jerked it around a bit for scheduling which hurt its popularity. Since it's ended I feel like because of the final season & intense dislike (by some) for Zach Braff have caused it to not be looked at so fondly

That's a shame because I really feel like it's a top tier sitcom. It's one of my favorite shows of all-time. After reading this I'm going to have "Winter" stuck in my head for awhile.

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ACardAttack t1_j9t7dec wrote

> Scrubs was a fairly popular show that ran for quite a while yet is still underrated.

It really is, and I know Im a Scrubs fanboy, but how many shows blend comedy and drama as well as Scrubs did?

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Dan_Of_Time t1_j9tvx84 wrote

The only show that has come close for me is The Good Place.

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some_random_noob t1_j9v7l5k wrote

The Good Place and Scrubs are my 2 all time favorite shows, sooo good.

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AceCups1 t1_j9u4kih wrote

Nothing like Scrubs, but Reservation Dogs is a show that could have me laughing in first half and choked up by the end.

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gkoberger t1_j9uvdzm wrote

As a huge Scrubs fan (by far my favorite show), I think there's a few:

  • Ted Lasso (same creator)
  • Shrinking (same creator)
  • Lovesick (British show on Netflix)
  • MASH (huge inspiration for Bill Lawrence)
  • Bojack Horseman
  • Mythic Quest when they do their annual “Episode”
  • Fleabag

There's also a bunch of popular shows (The Office, HIMYM) that did a good job of it once in a while, although the balance was much more skewed toward the humor half.

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tomatowaits t1_j9vcvni wrote

Wouldn’t Community fit into this list ?

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Felicfelic t1_j9ve2rm wrote

Community doesn't have as much heart, drama and emotional scenes as the others on that list, that's not a diss to it, it's one of my favourite shows, but it doesn't fit into the comedy-drama genre at all

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ACardAttack t1_j9uyk9x wrote

I didnt like Ted Lasso

Need to give Shirking another shot

Enjoyed Lovesick

Still need to watch Mash

Didnt care for Bojack

Love Fleaback

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Goliath_TL t1_j9ufred wrote

There are two that work as well as Scrubs did, in my opinion.

After Life Shrinking

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ACardAttack t1_j9uh4f9 wrote

I did enjoy After Life

Shrinking didn't click with me but I may try again as I only did an episode

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Goliath_TL t1_j9uot1i wrote

I wasn't convinced after the first episode of Shrinking, either. Keep watching if you like After Life - it's very similar to it. Some scenes make you cry and then 10 seconds later you'll be laughing hysterically.

My wife and I have a policy of at least 3 episodes of a new show. If you can't grab me in the first three episodes, I'm not gonna like the rest of what you have. But some shows take a few episodes to find their rythym and casting to gel. This policy has never disappointed us.

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ACardAttack t1_j9urfkq wrote

That's my usual, I'll probably go back when I have time or don't have other distractions

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pootie820 t1_j9tr4vw wrote

My friends and I would watch it on Comedy Central once they started airing re runs. All fell in love with the show, but I don't think I watched a single episode on NBC.

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badgarok725 t1_j9usxad wrote

it's also bounced around a couple different streamers in the past decade which doesn't help

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cathbadh t1_ja2gw8m wrote

It did, and there were some complications with the music rights is some episodes, so songs were removed . Normally they isn't a big deal, but Scrubs isn't the same missing certain songs

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snowe99 t1_j9tvmhw wrote

If Reddit/Twitter were around and popular in the early 00’s (weekly discussion threads, in depth analysis) I think Scrubs would be in the GOAT discussion much more in popular culture

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LordXenu45 t1_j9s5oxz wrote

Scrubs had quite a few gut punch episodes but I still think that one hurt the most. Damn good show.

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russketeer34 t1_j9s748i wrote

Of all the gut punch episodes, I found that the ones centered around Dr Cox ended up being the best. Not to diminish other ones revolving around different characters, but John C McGinley really brought it when it was his turn at bat.

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ACardAttack t1_j9t7gxl wrote

John is great, Zack and Donald have been doing a rewatch podcast and John was on a few and hes always amazing to listen to

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Dan_Of_Time t1_j9tw3d6 wrote

John can bring it so god damn hard in everything he does.

He had a recurring role in the last season of Brooklyn 99 and without a doubt stole the show.

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series_hybrid t1_j9tii78 wrote

I'll never forget when the nice old actress Michael Learned (mom on the Waltons), doesn't make it, because of a dirty glove that got touched

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ProudnotLoud t1_j9v450l wrote

This is the "lost" episode of Scrubs for my house because my dad was watching it and got so mad at the ending he deleted it before the rest of us got to watch.

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[deleted] t1_j9vg7bf wrote

[deleted]

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ProudnotLoud t1_j9vgqzw wrote

Nope! Just very emotionally connected to that plotline apparently.

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series_hybrid t1_j9vstlu wrote

Because they showed a green shadow on everything that was touched by the infectious material, your eyes can follow how it goes from A to Z in the scene. It would actually be useful as an educational clip.

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bros402 t1_j9tftk1 wrote

It's tied with My Lunch/My Fallen Idol

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DC4MVP t1_j9sfbwl wrote

This is #2 on my Scrubs Sad Meter.

1a and 1b are My Lunch and My Fallen Idol. (Season 5)

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mimiccombatsociety t1_j9u0mdv wrote

I remember being at work the day after My Lunch aired and just being depressed all day.

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jackofslayers t1_j9um3m9 wrote

Which one was that?

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DC4MVP t1_j9ummx6 wrote

Where Jill Tracy dies from "cocaine", Cox uses her organs to save 3 patients but they start dying because she actually died from rabies.

Cox goes on a downward spiral, shows up to work drunk, and suffers severe depression.

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OneGoodRib t1_j9slh9o wrote

I just want to compliment you on being so kind as to spoiler mark the episode. I hate the attitude of "well it's old, you don't need to mark spoilers." People don't deserve to have plot twists spoiled for them just because something is old. We aren't all able to watch every tv show and movie as it airs, it's unfair to expect people to just deal with being spoiled before just because something came out 20 years ago.

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ChaserNeverRests OP t1_j9tmtkj wrote

It was an easy decision to make! The impact would have been totally lost if I had been spoiled, so I wanted to help anyone else who hasn't watched it yet. :) I'll admit I did feel a little silly marking it as a spoiler because of its age, but the logic of doing so holds true.

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Ilovepickles11212 t1_j9s465c wrote

Getting a Disney+ subscription solely for this show

So good. You’ve got so many amazing episodes coming up. Hope you enjoy steak night!

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KneeHighMischief t1_j9shcvj wrote

I wonder how much music they've replaced. I'm guessing probably a lot like Netflix did, which is too bad. Hopefully not in My Last Words. The ending wouldn't hit nearly as hard without "I'll Follow you Into the Dark". Glad I still have my DVDs.

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BOOMgosDynomite t1_j9tdyr3 wrote

I'm pretty sure the music is replaced only on the first three or four seasons. I remember them talking about it will Bill Lawrence on the podcast and he said after the first couple seasons they got all of the rights to the music. Also, neat little tidbit, the replacement music was picked by Randall Winston who was a producer on the show and played Leonard the security guard.

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Ilovepickles11212 t1_j9sj8hk wrote

Honestly, the Netflix replacements were pretty good!

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OneGoodRib t1_j9slnpo wrote

Everyone always complains about Netflix music replacements but I actually have never even noticed when there was one. Just people being like "ugh they removed XYZ from episode Whatever!" and I'll be like "It sounded fine to me though?" One of my favorite songs from Scrubs turned out to be a syndication replacement!

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goldybear t1_j9s6ygb wrote

God damn that show had some real tear jerkers. I’m not a big cryer but this episode and the transplant episode get me every fucking time.

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bros402 t1_j9tfeca wrote

You got to watch it without knowing what happens?

If so, GOOD JOB REDDIT for not spoiling it when recommending it

Fun fact: The song at the end, Winter, by Joshua Radin, launched his career. He was Zach Braff's roommate.

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Jaggy123 t1_j9tq07b wrote

That's a cool fact, I had no idea and I make a point to watch the series once a year

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amaluna t1_j9v2avc wrote

Another really sad one that I don't see mentioned often is from an earlier season where Turk, JD and Elliot are each shown with a patient. During the opening voice over JD specifies that statistically one in three patients admitted to the hospital will die there. The episode takes lots of twists and turns and you try to figure out whose patient is gonna be the one that doesn't make it.

In the end? All three patients die. Because sometimes life is harsh

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ChaserNeverRests OP t1_j9v79cf wrote

I loved that episode so much. It was really harshly sad, but it was so realistic, I just loved the ending so much.

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jetteroshannon t1_j9s9fj2 wrote

The song "One Headlight" by the Wallflowers always reminds me of the feeling of this episode for some reason.

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unitedfan6191 t1_j9s936x wrote

Echoing what others have already said, an excellent episode and truly gut-wrenching.

It was nice to see this different side to both Cox and Kelso and totally believable in their acting that they could soften and show their more vulnerable side.

Kelso telling Carla about his longtime wife Enid and how what he previously viewed as a flaw of hers reminded him how much he truly cared for her was a nice transition to the funeral when we finally get the reveal.

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forkandspoon2011 t1_j9th5fq wrote

Yeah Scrubs has a few of those haymaker moments that just drop you. The "real" ending of the show is one of them, probably the best ending to any series ever imo.

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ACardAttack t1_j9t7ayj wrote

I know this one gets brought up a lot, it is a great episode, but my My Lunch/My Fallen Idol is my favorite followed shortly by My No Good Reason/My Long Goodbye are my favorites. They pull at my heart so much for different reasons.

But yes after that My Screw Up ranks with it and pulls at me too

I think scrubs is one of the best shows ever, I have not come across another show that blends comedy with serious drama and characters who grow like scrubs. The way it can be silly, then dead serious and it doesnt feel forced or uneven, it just works

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sambamamerican t1_j9twafu wrote

First few seasons of Scrubs were amazing. Rest of show is great too but the early years were a whole other level.

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RemarkableLie6804 t1_j9u4rgr wrote

John C. McGinley really shines in this show, Dr. Cox is one of my favorite sitcom characters of all time. Wait til he tells you about bastards lol. Enjoy the show OP!

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Doink82 t1_j9vevur wrote

This was the 1st episode I ever saw of Scrubs. I came home from my hospitality job and it was on late that night on TV. It drew me in because Brendan Fraser was in it and it was just kinda goofy at the start. I remember just sitting there completely mind blown at the end, it was just so well executed. The next few weeks my girlfriend and I went and bought all the available seasons on DVD and binged them haha.

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Good_old_Marshmallow t1_j9vhe23 wrote

There are some episodes of TV that really transcend the show they’re on and that was definitely one of them.

Not to saw scrubs wasn’t a great show, it was, but that episode stood out on another level

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luisop t1_j9s2k4d wrote

Ah i envy you!! One of the best episodes of television ever created. Watched it as kid and it hit me hard and streamed it just last month and tbh it hit me even harder. Just so so damn good.

Hands down one of my top 5 favorite shows. Enjoy! :)

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vilandra21 t1_j9sicia wrote

such a good episode! I’m slowly rewatching scrubs, I saw that one a couple months ago and still cried, gets me every time!

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minishaq5 t1_j9skax6 wrote

it’s funny seeing this because i’m in the middle of my annual Scrubs rewatch and quite literally just finished watching two episodes that always make my allergies act up. i’m incredibly jealous you get to experience this show for the first time. you have a lot of great episodes to look forward to - both hilarious and emotional ones. enjoy and see ya at steak night!

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SecksMonkey t1_j9t7pub wrote

If you’re enjoying the show, their rewatch podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends is fantastic. Glad you’re enjoying.

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J_Warphead t1_j9v2etm wrote

Everybody has their own reasons for loving Brendan Fraser, Scrubs is why I do.

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lilywafiq t1_j9ta3r3 wrote

Such a heartbreaking episode of a usually upbeat show, but so beautifully acted and written. Always a fave.

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bigdamnhero88 t1_j9u3fgx wrote

Still a brilliant episode. I know the twist and I know all the foreshadowing and I still well up every time I watch it.

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ozpapa t1_j9u83cj wrote

Also there's a Scrubs rewatch podcast where Zach and Donald go through each episode. It's super fun!!!!

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thesnarkypotatohead t1_j9uaudk wrote

That scene still causes instant waterworks for me. It’s masterful in how devastating it is.

Gonna go rewatch scrubs for the millionth time now.

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Digitalon t1_j9uc0j8 wrote

I recently rewatched the series again. That episode gets me with an emotional gut punch every time. It was an incredibly well written episode, with lots of subtle details. >!If you pay attention throughout the episode, after a certain point Ben isn't carrying his camera and taking pictures AND none of the other characters even acknowledge Ben accept for Dr. Cox because he is still trying to process the death of his best friend.!<

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HappyMeerkat t1_j9uxgi0 wrote

This episode was my introduction to scrubs as a 14/15 year old in English, my teacher picked it out so we could do an essay about it for our GCSE.

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RTwhyNot t1_j9v3h61 wrote

Don’t watch “season” 9. Great fucking show. It will make you crack up and then rip your heart out.

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ChaserNeverRests OP t1_j9v74dd wrote

I noticed that season 9 had a different title format (Our...), and I thought I remembered people saying it was bad, so thanks for confirming that!

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Maninhartsford t1_j9wqgiz wrote

It's hardly the worst show ever, but it was supposed to be a spinoff and ABC said no, so it's presented like another season when season 8 was really supposed to be the end. It's mostly from new writers, and it shows. If you choose to watch it, definitely take some time away from the series for a while first, but honestly there just isn't that much to recommend, it's pretty bland

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scchrish t1_j9w8qwh wrote

When I want to pee tears out of my eyes I’ll throw this one on. Honestly one of the greatest episodes and so well written. Even now knowing the ending I still feel caught of guard by the reveal

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Clayish t1_j9u77zv wrote

I love Scrubs but this episode is beyond overrated at this point. I think Fraser’s character had been in 3-4 episodes and everyone acts like a vital character is gone.

Cox’s reaction is great but the fanfare this one gets is just ridiculous to me.

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Lokito_ t1_j9udhrb wrote

After the MeToo movement I finally watched this show and... well... It's good, don't get me wrong, but kind of cringe in places where I know 20 years ago this stuff didn't really matter or was thought of in the new light.

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husky_nuggets t1_j9uvf80 wrote

Fuck politically correct shows.

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Lokito_ t1_j9ux650 wrote

It wasn't even that. The female characters were these horny teenage boy fantasies for a few seasons. It just simply was cringe to me.

*shrugs

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husky_nuggets t1_j9uyn5e wrote

Yes, maybe it helps that the show was a narration through the eyes of JD? So basically the female characters are portrayed how JD interprets them.

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Lokito_ t1_j9vc3f0 wrote

I mean sure, but looks like they abandoned that in the later seasons because the women were so one dimensional. Carla finally broke out it seems by the last season with what she wanted and her boundaries being recognized.

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