Scrubs - The Complete Second Season

Rating NR Formats DVD Genre television series Starring Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins Directed by Adam Bernstein, Zach Braff Publisher Touchstone / Disney External Links Official Site

On the surface, Scrubs appears to be little more than a Friends/ ER-"lite" hybrid, but there's more to this quirky medical sitcom than meets the eye. Narrated by the irrepressibly neurotic, affable J.D. (Zach Braff), the 2nd season of this razor-sharp series centering around a close-knit group of idiosyncratic residents brims with sophomoric, homophobic humor that will surely tempt the Animal House and American Pie crowd, but dwells so consistently on interpersonal relations (specifically romantic) that by Episode 6, this skeptical viewer was unabashedly hooked.

Although the pilot episode takes an odd approach, interspersing a maudlin guitar serenade by Colin Hay (of Men at Work) as a plot motifïa risky maneuver that may or may not "work," depending on one's view of overt symbolism and the soundtrack's roleïkudos to the producers simply for having the guts to try something different. Likewise, the show's wonderfully innovative, random dream sequences/fantasy scenes are refreshing beacons in a sea of "safe" sitcom antics; where else do we get to see established characters dressed up as porn stars and pimps, doing the "Rerun dance", grooving with German patients to Nena's "99 Luftballons", and above all acting on those embarrassing urges that pop into our heads at the most inopportune times?

The main action of the series concerns bumbling J.D. (Braff), ditzy rich girl Elliot (Sarah Chalke), wisecracking Turk (Donald Faison), and his opinionated nurse girlfriend Carla (Judy Reyes). Eager and na¯ve, the four constantly put their feet in their mouths, get caught up in relationship drama, and ultimately provide plenty of verbal "target practice" for bitter, burned-out doctor Perry Cox (John C. McGinley) and abusive, unforgiving head doctor Bill Kelso. Always over-the-top, at times excruciatingly overwritten and unrealistic, their caustic back-and-forth dialogue is still apt to elicit a chuckle from viewers quick enough to catch all the innuendos and references within these relentless, quickly spouted diatribes.

Adding to the comedic mix are secondary characters like the mischievous, poker-faced Janitor; no-nonsense, sassy Nurse LaVerne; lecherous Speedo-wearing surgeon Todd; and Dr. Cox's ball-busting ex-wife Jordan. Furthermore, the series boasts the ingenious "GynoGirls", a clique of gorgeous, sorority-esque OBGYNs, frequent celebrity cameos, and rewarding snippets of "in-the-know" music/pop culture humor.

This is not a show you'd watch to learn about medicine; but it's perfect if you're in the mood for light escapism, witty repartee, and some insanely creative, hilarious sex scenes. Nevertheless, amidst all the love affairs, clichéd characters (i.e. "feisty" ethnic nurses and perky blonde love interests), off-the-wall insults, locker room banter, and a painful a capella quartet belting out The Facts of Life and Charles in Charge theme songs, Scrubs has its serious moments, pausing to address matters of loyalty, love, and of course, mortality. And if you can forgive its redundant, let's-dummy-things-down-for-the-viewers" voice-overs, you'll most certainly enjoy the ride.

Fans of the series will be thrilled by all the special features packed on this DVD, such as outtakes, deleted scenes, interviews with the show's creator and actors, and explanations behind the season's musical choices and fantasy sequences.