DVD REVIEW: Scrubs - The Complete and Final 9th Season

[JeffSaylor]

Long-running series passes the torch to new cast and show...

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Available for the first time on DVD September 28 is ABC Studio's fan-favorite SCRUBS: THE COMPLETE AND FINAL NINTH SEASON. There was much speculation during the 8th Season on whether that would be the last of the show but the series did in fact live on... although short-lived.

What has made Scrubs into a fan-favorite for so many years is its uncanny ability of diving knee deep into serious life issues and emotions while keeping humor and comedy on top of it all. It was a delicate balance that was complimented with characters that were all likeable. Season 9 though, just never seems to find that balance. It's difficult at times when viewing Season 9 because it's in actuality the first season of Scrubs: Med School, a spin-off show with a mostly new cast topped with some familiar faces. The location of Sacred Heart Hospital was moved to Winston University (named after Producer Randall Winston) and the doctors become teachers to a new cast of med students.

The season begins familiarly with J.D. (Zach Braff) adjusting into his new teaching profession while awkwardly passing the torch to the gal that would ultimately be the new star of the show, Lucy (Kerry Biché). Thankfully, Dr. Turk (Donald Faison), Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins), and even Dr. Todd Quinlan (Robert Maschio) are along for the ride. But moving the whole cast into a new environment just didn't feel right. The antics of J.D. and Turk were endearing at the hospital when the show was centered around J.D., but now that the show is passing the torch to new students, J.D. and Turk become ridiculously out of place.

Oddly enough it wasn't until J.D. stepped out of the show before the series began to show its confidence and start to expand. But since all the new doctors were paired up early on, the fun and interaction between the characters was limited to hooking up or admitting one's love for the other.

I don't want to sound too negative here, as the show still exceeds in telling life lessons that are poignant by the wrap up of every 22 minute episode (including one about skin cancer) but what was missing this go-round was the funny. The laugh-out-loud moments that made this show a spectacular hit on NBC were just not there and led to a fizzled show on ABC. The highlights of the new cast are Michael Mosely who plays Drew, an older med student who becomes Dr. Cox's #1 student and the Security duo who drive around in the golf cart.

Scrubs remains one of my favorite shows and while Season 9 is not the best, I'll still remember the show fondly.

DVD BONUS FEATURES

Scrubs Season 9 comes in a 2 disc set with 13 episodes and a total episode running time of 390 minutes. Suggested Retail Price: $29.99.

Disc 2 has a few bonus features that include "Scrubbing In," a behind-the-scenes look at how this version of the comedy came into being. Deleted Scenes with commentary by Bill Lawrence, Bloopers, and Live From The Golf Cart, a short comedy segment involving the security guards.

Pick up SCRUBS: THE COMPLETE AND FINAL NINTH SEASON on DVD September 28. Also available that day is SCRUBS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION that includes a bonus disc featuring The Todd's High Five Scrubs Trivia Challenge.

- Review by David Yeh

- DVD Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

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