The TV show Scrubs originally ended in 2010 after a spin-off, Med School, didn’t work out. Now, the creators have announced that the Med School episodes are no longer considered part of the official story. This means the real series finale is actually the last episode of Season 8 from 2009. With the new episodes coming out 17 years later, the show will need to explain what the characters have been doing all this time.
Although the ‘Med School’ episodes continued the stories of the original ‘Scrubs’ characters, ABC has since disregarded those 13 episodes. They now function as a separate, alternate timeline that doesn’t affect the main storyline of the show. Despite not being particularly engaging, those episodes offer a believable look at what might have happened after the Season 8 finale. Ultimately, removing them from official continuity was the right choice.
7
Why Did JD & Elliot Break Up?
ABC
The revival of Scrubs has surprised fans by revealing that JD (Zach Braff) and Elliot (Sarah Chalke) are no longer married, despite the original series finale showing them happily together and Elliot pregnant with their first child. This change to the show’s history, known as a retcon, hasn’t been explained yet. The creators of Scrubs need to give a good reason for why their relationship fell apart, and they plan to reveal this explanation either soon or at a key moment in the new episodes.
6
Where Is the Janitor?
NBC/ABC
Neil Flynn’s character, the Janitor, was a fan favorite during the original run of Scrubs, so many viewers are surprised he doesn’t seem to be part of the new revival. While a surprise appearance is still possible, there’s been no official word about his return. The show can’t really ignore his absence, especially since the trailer shows JD returning to a hospital that feels stuck in the past. Unfortunately, the explanation given in Med School for why the Janitor left—that he stopped tormenting people once JD was gone—makes sense. It will be difficult to explain his return, but not entirely impossible.
5
Did Dr. Cox Ever Replace JD?
ABC
During Season 8 of Scrubs, JD naturally fell into the role of second-in-command at Sacred Heart Hospital after Dr. Cox was officially promoted to Chief of Medicine. This made JD his main assistant and support. However, in the revival, Dr. Cox seems annoyed that the newer doctors aren’t responding well to his direct, old-fashioned teaching style. JD had always been able to handle Dr. Cox’s tough approach, and the two developed a strong, close relationship – almost like a father and son. Since the end of Season 8, it’s unclear if Dr. Cox has found anyone to fill that same role with.
Dr. Cox was intrigued by Michael Mosley’s character, Drew, in Scrubs: Med School, but the show ended before they could fully develop that storyline.
4
What Happened To Ted?
ABC
As a huge Scrubs fan, I was really bummed to hear that the Med School episodes were removed from the official timeline. It means we’ll see less of Sam Lloyd’s amazing character, Ted Buckland, and honestly, it’s the same for a lot of the cast. But with Sam sadly passing away in 2020, we know there will never be any new episodes featuring him. I was so happy to hear the revival will include a place called Lloyd’s Tavern – what a perfect tribute! But it’s a little bittersweet because we still don’t know what happened to Ted within the show. He could still be out there somewhere, which would be great, but it’s probably more realistic that he’s passed away, just like Sam. I’m hoping for the happy ending, but I’m preparing for the sad one.
3
How Did Dr. Kelso’s Return To Medicine Go?
ABC
Dr. Kelso, played by Ken Jenkins, is a beloved character from the original Scrubs who many fans hope will appear in the revival, though he hasn’t been announced yet. His absence is easier to understand than that of the Janitor, though. Kelso officially retired as Chief of Medicine in Season 7, but continued to show up at the hospital, mostly eating muffins and seeming a bit lost. He briefly returned to part-time practice near the end of Season 8. While Med School later explained this as him becoming a teacher, that storyline is no longer considered canon. It would be fun to learn what happened with Kelso’s retirement, but after 17 years, it’s perfectly reasonable to assume he fully retired, which could explain why he isn’t involved in the revival.
2
How Has Turk Done as Chief of Medicine?
ABC
As a longtime fan, I was thrilled when Donald Faison’s Turk finally earned his promotion to Chief of Surgery towards the end of Season 8 – it felt like a really satisfying payoff for his character’s journey. It was a shame, though, that we didn’t get to see much of him actually being Chief. The focus quickly shifted to JD’s impending exit from Sacred Heart, which understandably took over the narrative. While Turk clearly had the talent to excel, it was a little heartbreaking to realize his dream of running the hospital with JD would never happen. Honestly, even the Med School episodes didn’t really delve into his new position. But with this revival, covering 17 years, I’m hoping we finally get to see what a fantastic leader he truly is and get a proper recap of his time as Chief.
1
What Is JD’s Relationship With His Son Like?
ABC
JD always had a complex but loving relationship with both his father and his mentor, Dr. Cox. Now, he’s determined to be a better father himself and avoid repeating those patterns. However, things haven’t been easy, and something may have happened in the years since the show ended that has changed his plans. His son, Sam Dorian Jr., was actually the reason JD moved away from his friends and colleagues in the first place, and caused a distance between them starting in 2009. Because of this, JD’s son is likely to play a significant role in the new season of Scrubs, and it will be fascinating to see how JD handles being a parent to a teenager.
MovieWeb Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters
Immerse yourself in the cinematic universe with the latest movie news, reviews, and exclusive content from MovieWeb.
What else are you hoping the Scrubs revival will explain? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Read More
- All Golden Ball Locations in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
- All Itzaland Animal Locations in Infinity Nikki
- Super Animal Royale: All Mole Transportation Network Locations Guide
- BREAKING: Paramount Counters Netflix With $108B Hostile Takeover Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
- Elder Scrolls 6 Has to Overcome an RPG Problem That Bethesda Has Made With Recent Games
- Unlocking the Jaunty Bundle in Nightingale: What You Need to Know!
- Critics Say Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 Is a Clunker
- Gold Rate Forecast
- James Gandolfini’s Top 10 Tony Soprano Performances On The Sopranos
- Brent Oil Forecast
2026-02-20 05:04