DVD Review: Scrubs - The complete Fourth Season

There are a number of different ways a writer can take a medical show. If one wants a drama fraught with the exposition of relationship dynamics, go for "Grey's Anatomy." However, if a little bit of pharmacological sleuthing is a bit more appealing, go for the Conan Doyle-esque "House MD." But if one wants the seriousness in a medical show to be taken with a humorous twist, "Scrubs" is the tincture that will cure all ailments.

This is the show that poses the question: What happens when you have a hospital full of neurotic doctors that are more caught up in their own comical imaginings than actual medicine? You get the "World's most Giant Doctor," of course. This half-hour comedy focuses on the bizarre experiences of fresh-faced medical intern John "J.D." Dorian (Zach Braff) as he embarks on his healing career in a surreal hospital crammed full of unpredictable staffers and patients where J.D.'s voice over narrates the humor and tragedy can merge paths at any time. Joining the frenetic J.D. in his foray into Doctor-dom are his college buddy, Chris Turk (Donald Faison, "Clueless"), an intern with a more elite surgical group, and J.D.'s fellow medical intern, the driven Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke, "Roseanne"). Keeping the new interns on their toes are: the ascerbic chief of medicine, Dr. Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins); the hysterically fast witted Dr. Perry Cox (John McGinley), and the caring but slightly less neurotic nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes). The comically spiteful hospital janitor (Neil Flynn) also never seems to miss an opportunity to goad the newbies. Scrubs is filmed in a real-life non-operational hospital. It's the North Hollywood Medical Center, which has gone under severe reconstruction to fit all the equipment and represent Sacred Heart Hospital. Interesting trivia: Sacred Heart was the name of the school that Christa Miller worked; trivia alert: in one episode Zach Braff accidentally calls the Janitor Neil Flynn, which is the actor's real life name. Scrubs was created by Spin City's Bill Lawrence and was based on Bill's real-life friend, Dr. Jon Doris, and his hilarious stories of entering the medical profession. The single-camera show is filmed without a live audience. The fourth season premiered on August 31st, 2004.

The 25 episodes of the season are entitled: My Old Friend's New Friend," "My Office," "My New Game," "My First Kill," "Her Story," "My Cake," "My Common Enemy," "My Last Chance," "My Malpractical Decision," "My Female Trouble," "My Unicorn," "My Best Moment," "My Ocardial Infarction," "My Lucky Charm," "My Hypocritical Oath," "My Quarantine," "My Life in Four Cameras," "My Roommates," "My Best Laid Plans," "My Boss' Free Haircut," "My Lips Are Sealed," "My Big Move," "My Faith in Humanity," "My Drive-By" and "My Changing Ways." Adding to the incredible cast of regular this 4th season is an impressive list of guest stars that includes: Tom Cavanaugh, Tara Reid, Matthew Perry, Colin Farrell, Heather Graham, Julianna Margulies, Molly Shannon, Clay Aiken, Richard Kind, Chrystee Pharris, and a few other faces you may recognize from other top notch character acting appearances. Scrubs has managed to find and hold a faithful audience. Over the past five years, it has been nominated for many awards across multiple categories, including Best Comedy Series and Best Actor in a Comedy Series [for Braff]), bizarrely it has never won for Best Comedy and the brilliant actor John C. McGinley's work being overlooked is just flat wrong. Scrubs The Complete Fourth Season is presented on DVD in its televised Full Screen format ( 1.33:1). For the third time in a row, the sound has been mixed in a fantastic English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. Subtitles are available in English. As usual, the episodes look and sound fantastic. Also, the set contains all original, unedited music. The DVD set has packaging is awesome, a tri-fold digipack holds three DVDs and is housed in a sturdy cardboard slipcase. The artwork follows a yellow color scheme motif. Disc menus feature music and clips from the show; transitions and backgrounds are all animated with pretty good CG work. This entire series is a keeper. Go buy it immediately.Menus for all discs follow the same format and all are easy to navigate. Disc 1 contains episodes 1-9; Disc 2 contains episodes 10-18; Disc 3 contains episodes 19-25 and the bonus features in the set.

BONUS FEATURES:
• Audio Commentaries – Found on Disc 1 and Disc 2 are audio commentaries for "My Last Chance" (done by Zach Braff, who also directed the episode) and "My Life in Four Cameras" (done by Sarah Chalke).
• Will You Ever Be My Mentor (4½ min) – Cast and crew comment on the running storyline concerning JD's quest for a hug from Dr. Cox, and his approval.
• The Sweethearts of Sacred Heart (11 min) – This featurette takes a look at some of the different relationship dynamics in the series and in season four. Some of the notables are: 'J.D. & Elliot,' 'Carla & Turk … & J.D.,' 'Dr. Cox & Jordan' and 'The Janitor & …'.
• The Weapons Chest (9 min) – The "weapons chest" is the list of second string characters that the writers can turn to when they need the added punchline. The second squad consists of The Todd, Jordan, Nurse Roberts, Ted and Doug.
• Who Is That Man? (4½ min) –great featurette explores deeper the torments of the Janitor aimed at J.D.
• Donald Keeps talking (16 min) –this is an extended sit down with actor Donald Faison where he discusses his character, the chemistry with other actors, meeting the cast for the first time, his relationship with Zach, relaxing off set and more.
• Scrubbed Out: Deleted Scenes (17½ min)
• G Tom Mac Music Video: "Half" (3½ min) – It's a music video that has nothing to do with Scrubs (other than the fact the song was used in an episode). It's pretty weak.
• Alternate Lines: A Second Option (6½ min) – A tradition on Scrubs DVD sets is the inclusion of a montage of alternate takes.

My Old Friend's New Friend
The new Dr. Clock arrives with her spaced out personality and doesn't cease to call J.D. "Johnny". But J.D. is fine with it, because there is nothing that is going to bring down his last week of being a resident before he officially becomes a full fledged doctor.
Director: Bill Lawrence
Recurring Role: Heather Graham (Dr. Molly Clock), Christa Miller Lawrence (Jordan Sullivan), Mike Schwartz (Patient) My Office
Dr. Clock tries to reconcile J.D. and Eliott, while waiting to see which one Dr. Cox will give the Chief Resident position. Molly and Carla are experiencing some subtle conflict and Elliot and J.D. begin to come together after conflict of their own. Meanwhile, Dr. Cox, Turk and Janitor are forced to work together to help a patient.
Heather Graham (Dr. Molly Clock), Johnny Kastl (Doug), Aloma Wright (Nurse Laverne Roberts), Robert Maschio (Todd), Frank Encarnacao (Dr. Mickhead), Robert Clendenin ( Dr.Zeltzer (credited as Robert Clendinin) My New Game
Dr. Cox is having issues with Jordan since Ted reveals that they are still technically married due to some filing problems. J.D. has problems of his own as he can't shake the tag of Co-Chief Resident the Janitor assigned to him, while Elliot keeps the Chief Resident tag. Elsewhere, Turk begins to doubt his abilities after letting a patient die, and isn't helped when he finds out J.D. has no confidence in him either. Dr. Cox and Molly spar about her involvement in his patients.
Guest Star: Heather Graham (Dr. Molly Clark), Jody Carver (Mrs. Covello), Brogan Roche (Dr. Lemmon), Irene White (Janice), Steven Montfort (Softball Player), Garrett Donovan (Councilman Donovan), Bronwen Booth (Miss Myers), Michael Cotter (Resident) My First Kill
J.D. is shocked to hear Dr. Cox tell his interns that eventually, they will screw up and kill a patient. J.D. fears his first time killing someone will soon be upon him. Elliot is upset with Molly after she disagrees about a patient's promise to attend drug rehab. Carla loses Rowdy and she and the Janitor go looking for him.
Heather Graham (Dr. Molly Clock), Johnny Kastl (Doug), Robert Maschio (Todd), Sam Lloyd (Ted), Aloma Wright (Nurse Laverne Roberts) Her Story
Elliot becomes unsure she wants Molly as her mentor when she finds out that Molly doesn't have a perfect home life. J.D. is tested in leadership skills when Dr. Cox yells at him in front of his interns. Carla and Turk try to come to an agreement when Turk continuously wakes Carla up every night.
Heather Graham (Dr. Molly Clock), Robert Maschio (Todd), Michael Hobert (Lonnie)
Guest Star: Jason Shayne Scott (Mike), Common (Themselves), Sylvia MacCalla (Prostitute), Marshall Manesh (Akbar), Wendy Schenker (Mrs. MacCalla), Jason Shane Scott (Mike)My Cake
When Dan resurfaces, J.D . is shocked to learn his father has passed away. The reactions from his co-workers help J.D. a little, but the one person, Dr. Cox, who he wanted to be there for him is too busy with J.D.'s patients. Meanwhile, Dan sits drunk in the bath tub the whole day and Turk finds out he has Type II Diabetes.
Thomas Cavanagh (Daniel 'Dan' Dorian), Heather Graham (Dr. Molly Clock), Sam Lloyd (Ted)

My Common Enemy
When J.D. finds Dan with Elliot, Turk tells him to use the hurt brother excuse to get them to break up, just like Turk uses his diabetes to get stuff from Carla. But then J.D. realizes he wasn't hurt at all... Dr. Cox and Dr. Kelso unite to try and torment their common enemy -- Dr. Clock.
Sam Lloyd (Ted), Heather Graham (Dr. Molly Clock), Thomas Cavanagh (Daniel 'Dan' Dorian)
Guest Star: Gabrielle Allan (Glenda), Tiffany Cade (Mary) My Last Chance
When Molly takes a job in another city, she and J.D. end up having a night of kissing and he tries to rush to sleep with her before she leaves. Dr. Cox goes on Ambulance duty with a maniac who he eventually finds out is a woman who has lost her son to an accident.
Guest Star: Molly Shannon (Denise), William Bassett (Patient)My Malpractical Decision
J.D. is approached by a malpractice attorney, asking him to do a risky procedure on her father. Meanwhile, Elliot guides Doug to a new career path and Turk struggles to avoid a hypochondriac patient.
Julianna Margulies (Neena Broderick), Richard Kind (Harvey Corman), Biff Yeager (Dr. Walch), Dayo Ade (Mr. Hovey), Tacey Adams (Woman), Amy Rilling (Nurse)My Female Trouble
With the case against Turk on his mind, J.D. attempts to end it with Neena, but she won't take no for an answer and keeps him wrapped around her finger. Carla tries her own way of persuading Mr. Corman to drop the lawsuit. And Elliot sets out to prove she isn't the doctor she was 4 years ago and doesn't need to rely on anyone anymore.
Julianna Margulies (Neena Broderick), Richard Kind (Harvey Corman), Zach Mills (Young J.D.), Dutch Hofstetter (Young Dr. Cox), Alysia Powell (Karen), Jon Polito (Mr. Summers), Tara Callaghan (Mother) My Unicorn
J.D. takes matters into his own hands, when searching for a relative for his favorite patient. Meanwhile, Elliot is fed-up with co-workers not taking her seriously, and discovers she can get her way by flaunting her femininity with some help from Carla and Jordan.
Matthew Perry (Murray Marks), John Bennett Perry (Gregory Marks), Timothy Davis-Reed (Interviewer), David Pressman (I) (Mickey), Anthony Perry (Old Murray), Brian Kaiser (Emcee), Barry Cutler (Brett), Bayard Crawley (Dave), Ralph Cole Jr. (Glen), Adam Bitterman (Male Worker) My Best Moment
When J.D. must address a bunch of pre-med students about what it's like to be a doctor, he strays off the beaten path and chooses to discuss his best moments as a doctor instead. When he challenges the rest of the staff to do so, they all reminisce about their fondest memories in the medical field. Meanwhile, Elliot is forced to face her fear of children when she must befriend a ten-year-old boy, whose father is being treated in the I.C.U.
Libby Hudson (Hot Mom), Colin Bain (Intern Steve), Matthew Kaminsky (Mr. Milligan), Mike Weinberg (Tyler), Aloma Wright (Nurse Roberts), Wells Rosales (Student)My Ocardial Infarction
Elliot starts showing J.D. up as the calmer, more competent doctor. A date with the Janitor leads to an a cappella sing-off between his "group" and Ted's band. Turk starts taking his diabetes more seriously when he realizes the dire consequences of the disease.
Monica Allgeir (Nurse Tisdale), Natalie Farrey (Daisy), Sharline Liu (Nurse #2), Paige Peterson (Surgical Nurse), Lindsey Stoddart (Nurse Halston), Aloma Wright (Nurse Roberts), Amy Rilling (Nurse #1)My Lucky Charm
A man injured in a bar fight teaches Turk and J.D. a lesson about living life to the fullest.
Colin Farrell (Billy Callahan), Aloma Wright (Nurse Roberts), Michael Bunin (Jerry), Daniel Macner (Policeman #1), Matthew Pohlson (Patient), Myra Turley (Woman), Skip Wright (Doctor) My Hypocritical Oath
J.D. has a crush on a girl that he met at a club and he's torn about telling her that her boyfriend has gonorrhea. Elliot decides to take a stand against Dr. Kelso with one of her patients.
Marc D. Wilson (James), Chrystee Pharris-Larkins (Kylie), Takayo Fischer (Mrs. Cheng), Gregory Hinton (Bouncer), Monica Allgeier (Nurse Tisdale)My Quarantine
JD struggles to impress Kylie on their first date; during a hospital quarantine, Turk learns that Carla once dated Cox; Danni Sullivan returns to annoy everyone; Laverne, Kelso, and Janitor fight over a "face cake." Loren Lester (Veterinarian) My Life in Four Cameras
When JD meets a former writer from his all-time favorite TV show "Cheers," JD begins to picture his life at the hospital as a bland, multiple-camera sitcom where everything is perfect and wraps up nicely. Back in reality, Cox is reluctant to fire an amiable cafeteria worker, while Turk and Carla struggle to keep their promise of constant romantic affection afloat.
Clay Aiken (Kenny), Ken Lerner (Mr. James), Deonté Gordon (Figsack), Jeremy Howard (Fat Frank), Dave Martel (Dave Martel)My Roommates
JD is thrown out of the apartment; Turk and Carla continue to struggle to keep the romance alive; Cox has reason to believe that the son of an old buddy is autistic.
Michael Boatman (Ron), Ed McMahon (Himself)My Best Laid Plans
JD ditches a seemingly uninterested Kylie for Dr. Clock, who just returned from Milwaukee; Carla fumes over Turk's frequent phone calls to an ex-girlfriend; Janitor and Cox make a wager over Elliot.
Cullen Douglas (Patrick)My Boss' Free Haircut
Kelso dons scrubs to prove a point to Cox, only to watch it backfire when an obnoxious patient refuses to listen to him; JD and Turk party while Carla struggles to find solace in Elliot.
Lindsay Hollister (Nell Goldman), Phill Lewis (Hooch), Robert F. Beckwith (Dr. Johnson), Ed Brigadier (Barber), Trev Broudy (Doctor), Tim Halderman (Mr. Warner), Meredith Lieber (Kathy)My Lips Are Sealed
When Carla and J.D. go out to let Carla have some fun, they get drunk and end up accidentally kissing. Dr. Cox gets the hammer dropped by Jordan when Jack has to get stitches under Perry's watch. Elliot has trouble with a male patient who has taken enhancement pills.
Phill Lewis (Hooch), Jeff Chase (Warlord), Chris Hogan (Mr. Gerst), Michael Cotter (Michael)My Big Move
JD and Carla get the silent treatment from Turk, who can't seem to control his emotions after learning about their kiss; Cox reluctantly seeks the help of Elliot when an epileptic patient won't listen to him; Janitor feels emasculated by his new uniform; Jordan trys Botox.
Meredith Roberts (Kathy), Sarah Ramos (Lindsay), Michael Copon (Pedro)My Faith in Humanity
Turk won't open up at couple therapy; Elliot refuses Cox's romantic advice when a very attractive man saunters into the hospital; JD learns a lesson in humanity from a dying old woman; Janitor accidently lets a bunch of rats run around Sacred Heart.
Janelle Giumarra (Nurse), Josh Randall (Jake), James Michael Tyler (Couples Therapist), Jim Hanks (Turner), Phill Lewis (Hooch)My Drive-By
Elliot is torn between moving too quickly and ruining her new relationship with Jake. Dr. Cox teaches Turk about having a healthy ego and Dr. Kelso and the Janitor fight over who gets to use the motorized cart.
Brandon Waters (Young Janitor), Josh Randall (Jake), Fred Stoller (Mr. Hoffner)My Changing Ways
With their residencies over, there are big changes at Sacred Heart. J.D. moves out to live on his own while Turk and Carla consider a family change, creating another rift in their long friendship; Jordan is hired to handle some paperwork for Kelso, which annoys Cox.
Josh Randall (Jake), Amy Rilling (Nurse Amy), Madison R. Wells (Karen), Stuart McLean (Dr. Gold), Phill Lewis (Hooch) a job interview at another hospital thanks to her boyfriend Jake.Scrubs - The complete Fourth Season is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the DVD database for more information.