© (C) 2009 ABC/photo by Michael Ansell Donald Faison and Zach Braff in SCRUBS - Season 8 - "My Chief Concern"

Television:

TV Review: SCRUBS - SEASON EIGHT - 'My Chief Concern'

The last stand before the series finale isn't as funny as usual, but the memories remain

Grade: B
Stars: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Jusy Reyes, John C. McGinley, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins
Writer(s): Neil Goldman, Garrett Donovan
Director: Zach Braff
Rating: NR

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By CARLOS DELGADO, Associate Editor
Published 5/5/2009

The end of an era. It happens much sooner than you expect, and when it finally does arrive, despite everything that has happen, you never find yourself quite prepared for it. That was how I felt as I watched the SCRUBS episode “My Chief Concern”, knowing that it was going to be the last full installment before the series finale. I felt too many feelings; feelings that may be unjustified, feelings felt out of anger, or loss, or of just not being fully ready for the end. Let’s face it: SCRUBS has not been funny, truly funny, for a while. It was the remnant of a great series on it’s final legs supported by its feverent fans who weren’t ready to face the truth that maybe, just maybe, the end should come, and it should come soon.

Well fellow SCRUBS fans, the end is near, and darn it if it doesn’t feel as sad as losing a pet fish or your favorite plant. You know life will go on, but you’ll miss the moments you two shared together.

The time is now at hand, and now, we must face the inevitable. SCRUBS is coming to an end (though ABC has hinted there's still some life support left in it). What seems so unfair is that these last few episodes seem to focus on something else other than comedy. It’s not focused on the humor. Instead, it’s like a long obituary, preparing us for the final good bye. The jokes at this point are so inside, so relevant to die-hard SCRUBS fans, that they don’t make sense to anyone else anymore. It’s a tribute to us, the fans, yes, but unfulfilling nonetheless.

Maybe we just don’t wan to say goodbye.

But that is what we are left with, isn’t it?

“My Chief Concern” was about change. And as we all know, that is shorthand for goodbye. J.D. (Zach Braff) is leaving to be closer to his son. You can’t blame the guy for that. But so many other changes have occurred that the show has lost its essence. The Janitor (Neil Flynn ) is married. Ted (Ted Buckland) is moving in with Gooch (Kate Micucci), Turk (Donald Faison) is chief of surgery, and Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), our beloved rebel Dr. Cox, is now the Chief of Medicine.

In short, our time is up. SCRUBS has had a brilliant run, but the jokes aren’t funny anymore. The awkward situations just aren’t that awkward anymore (see The Todd (Robert Maschio) and his ménage a trio).

As much as I loved SCRUBS, it’s time to go. This last episode is forgivable because it sets up the final goodbye. But seriously, if this were a regular season episode at SCRUBS at its peak, this would be unforgivable.

This is a private note to each and every SCRUBS fan that has been there from the beginning. They are cleaning up the final conflicts, resolving the last ounces of tension. In short, they are saying goodbye.

As they should. We deserve that. The fans deserve that. So what if the comic appeal isn’t there anymore. It’s our right as fans to know how the lives of J.D., Elliot (Sarah Chalke), Turk, Dr. Cox, Carla (Judy Reyes), Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins), and the Janitor (Neil Flynn) end. As a long time fan, I almost don’t care if these last episodes are funny or not. I just want to know where these characters that I’ve invested so much time in end up.

Don’t get me wrong, the funny is always welcomed, but not necessary anymore. SCRUBS as a series has provided enough laughter in my life. Let’s just hope that the final episodes, airing tomorrow, provide everything that has made me love SCRUBS from the get go. Here’s to hoping.

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