Great Minds Think Different

I really like Scott Foley, I have to admit. I haven’t been pleased with any of Elliot’s boyfriends since Sean. He’s just such a perfect mix of random quirks and oddities, especially as Elliot’s significant other. He and JD have always had good comic rapport as two mildly insane competitors for Elliot’s affections.

I suppose it makes sense that a show in its last season would bring back some favorite guest stars from the past, and Scott Foley is pretty much the best possible choice, other than, of course, Tom Cavanagh as Dan Dorian. I think I remember reading some rumors of a Tom Cavanagh appearance on the interwebs, but of course you shouldn’t believe things you read on the interwebs. I do have to take this moment to say: both of these guest stars, as excellent as they are, do not hold a candle to the best Scrubs guest star of all time: Brendan Fraser. Unfortunately, his character’s dead so a return isn’t really an option other than in flashbacks (or possibly “Sixth Sense”-style dead-man-walking à la “My Screw Up”). Foley and Cavanagh are more than good enough for me.

You know what? I really miss season 3 right now. In fact:

Just a small town girl
Living in a lonely world
She took a midnight train goin’ anywhere

Just a city boy
Born and raised in south Detroit
He took a midnight train goin’ anywhere

…

STREET LIGHT
PEOPLE
WO OH OHHHHHHHHH

I suppose I should explain myself. Here’s my explanation: Journey is the shit.

Seriously now, I thought this episode was great. Full of comic moments, one excellent guest star and one pretty good one (Elizabeth Banks, who for whatever reason has been appearing in a lot of dumb comedy movies these past few years), and an interesting plot twist at the end. Sean and JD still had their rapport, with their disputes over saying “good” and yogurt. Their conversations could have come straight out of season 3. The ongoing “wiener cuz” joke was pretty good too.

Despite the fact that it was entirely later-seasons-style, I laughed uproariously at Elliot and Kim’s conversation on the ramp. “Who’s In There?” “What’s In There?” “Mister Peep Tries On Hats”?? Where in the hell did they come up with things like that? “Mister Peep Tries On Hats”?? Seriously??

No JD/Turk gay jokes this week, unfortunately, but just a bit of JD thinking Sean is beautiful. I kind of wish they’d brought up the “full-lipped” joke from season 3 episode 20. And yes, I did know that without looking it up, although I did go back to confirm.

Leaving aside the implausibility of Turk being named chief of surgery at the hospital (he’s only been an attending for three years, for Christ’s sake; where did all the other surgeons older than him go?), I liked that subplot because it continued Cox’s evolution into a kinder, gentler person. It also gave Carla a bit of a role to play (remember how I said she doesn’t get much to do anymore? Yeah, this is about the extent of it).

Kelso also had some great moments treating himself and browbeating interns. (Although, where’s Denise? I think she and Kelso could make some great comedy.) And it was nice to have Kelso in the hospital (and very strange to see him as a patient) instead of just being Norm from “Cheers” in the coffee shop. For some reason, his walk through the ICU with the back of his gown open has taken on a “legendary Scrubs moment” status in my mind even though it really wasn’t. It was hilarious of course (including Mickhead taking a picture on his cellphone in the background — subtle background antics are a sign of Scrubs in its better days), but not legendary.

I think there’s like an hour total of Scrubs left. I’m honestly going to be sad when it’s over.