“Scrubs” Season 7 finale – the end that wasn’t.

The final episode of the season for this once-charming-turned-semi-watchable comedy reminded me why I started watching “Scrubs” in the first place. It was different, funny, and had a few sweet moments. It’s understandable that they kept this episode for the end, because it far surpasses the rest of this season.

Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) returns home after a long, terrible day at work, and instead of a beer and some couch time, he lands in the middle of daddy duty. As he puts his son Jack to bed, he decides to tell him a bedtime story, using his day (and “The Princess Bride”) as inspiration.

In the real world, J.D. and Eliot are scrambling to find help for Eliot’s patient, who no matter what they do doesn’t show any signs of improvement. While trying to solve that mystery, they also have to avoid Dr. Kelso. Kelso is on a rampage, sending home, without pay, anyone who dares to stay past his or her 12-hour shift.

As the Janitor keeps an eye out for old Bob, Carla and Turk are trying to get to the bottom of the problem as well, rushing blood work and lab tests.

Eliot finally takes the case to Dr. Cox, who is just as confused about the illness as they are. Dr. Cox finally tells them they have to not just treat the symptoms, but also find out what they mean. He tells them to remember what they heard when they weren’t listening.

As the story bounces back and forth from Sacred Heart the enchanted kingdom and Sacred Heart the hospital, it is revealed that Princess Eliot (Sarah Chalke) needs help saving her handmaiden (patient) from an unknown monster. She seeks out the village idiot – no guessing there – J.D. (Zach Braff) for assistance.

The mystery killer is not the only problem the heroes encounter, however, as the Dark Lord – Dr. Kelso’s fairy tale alter ego - is wreaking havoc making anyone who dares enter the forest, the place where the mystery can be solved, disappear.

Aided by the giant (Janitor, Neil Flynn) and the two-headed Turla (Turk and Carla, Donald Faison and Judy Reyes), the princess and the idiot tirelessly search for the monster. Once they have found the monster, they need help defeating him.

Enter the Knight in Shining Armor, Dr. Cox’s alter ego. He ventures in to beat the monster, only to come out unsuccessfully. He tells the heroes they must find the golden ring, and to find it, they must remember something they heard when they weren’t really listening.

After a close encounter with the Dark Lord, the princess and the idiot find the ring in the forest. Two fairies (interns) hand over the ring and the heroes return to the monster and destroy him. The maiden lives happily ever after and all is well in the kingdom.

Back in reality, J.D. remembers something he overheard in the break room earlier. Two interns were playing a medical “Jeopardy” style game and he remembers hearing Wilson’s disease. He and Eliot rush off to the patient and discover the tell-tell sign – copper rings around the iris – and begin treating her immediately.

To remind us that this isn’t just some silly comedy, as Perry leaves Jack’s room, Jordan asks him how the story really turned out, and he admits not so happily.

We also learn that the almost-kiss between J.D. and Eliot was mutual, and even Dr. Cox thinks the two should be together, even if the J.D and Eliot can’t admit it to themselves.

The show wasn’t the best episode ever, but it was the best in a long time. It was a great use of framing and extremely well written. It was definitely not a bad choice to go out on.


For those of you who tuned in last night to catch the fantasy-inspired episode, you probably were confused on a few points.

First, when did Dr. Kelso return and how is he in charge?

Good old Dr. Bob did not return, but the episode was merely shown out of order. This show was meant to run before the episode “My Dumb Luck,” but the powers that be thought this would make for a better season closer and held on to it until the finale.

Second, if this is the end of “Scrubs,” why are there so many unanswered questions?

Although this is most likely the end of “Scrubs” on NBC, the shows producers are in talk with ABC to run an 8th and final season on the Disney-owned network. If this happens in the fall, viewers can hopefully find some closure – and maybe J.D. and Eliot will finally get together and stay that way.

For a season finale, there were no cliffhangers or anything to look forward too. Why?

Well, if you look at the two previous responses you can probably answer this one yourself. It wasn’t meant to be the season finale. Also, if ABC opts out of showing “Scrubs” next season, who wants to see a show end on a cliffhanger? That’s more frustrating then no ending.

Here’s hoping for a Season 8 on ABC.