15 Best Scrubs Episodes Ranked: A Nostalgic Look Back

Here are some of the most beloved episodes of Scrubs, the popular early 2000s sitcom. The show offers a funny and heartwarming look at the lives of J.D. Dorian (Zach Braff) and his fellow young doctors as they learn and grow at Sacred Heart Hospital.

As the 2026 Scrubs reboot brings back familiar faces, now is a great time to relive some of the show’s most touching and funny episodes. From a storyline early in season 1 that really establishes the show’s emotional core, to a later season 8 episode packed with celebrity guests, here are some of the best Scrubs episodes to watch.

“My Musical” (Season 6, Episode 6)

Musical episodes on TV shows have been hit or miss. Some, like “Once More, With Feeling” from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, are fantastic, while others, such as the musical attempt in Grey’s Anatomy‘s seventh season, fall flat. Scrubs offered a charming take with its season 6 episode “My Musical,” centered around a patient named Patti Miller (played by Stephanie D’Abruzzo) who imagines everyone around her is breaking into song.

This episode is a welcome change of pace from the usual, and it’s surprisingly good considering it’s so different. While it’s not the show’s best episode overall, it’s still enjoyable enough to watch again.

“My Best Moment” (Season 4, Episode 12)

Despite being a bit cheesy at times – and that’s part of its charm – this episode from Scrubs season 4 is particularly memorable. While J.D. is still learning as a doctor, he fondly remembers his early days and exciting experiences at Sacred Heart when speaking with medical students.

The episode “My Best Moment” gives Sarah Chalke’s character, Elliot Reid, a touching storyline. While caring for a child at the hospital, she gains confidence around kids – a development that feels foreshadowing, given her pregnancy in season nine. However, it’s not the most emotionally powerful episode of the series.

“My Long Goodbye” (Season 6, Episode 15)

The Scrubs episode “My Long Goodbye” is particularly moving because of the death of Laverne Roberts (Aloma Wright). Instead of simply showing the accident and announcing her death, the episode realistically portrays the emotional experience of saying goodbye to someone you care about – a feeling many people can relate to.

There are definitely some heartbreaking episodes of Scrubs, but this one always sticks with me. We get to see a really vulnerable side of Perry Cox – John C. McGinley is fantastic – as he and Jordan Sullivan, played by Christa Miller, welcome their daughter into the world. And, classic Scrubs, the moment quickly swings from emotional to hilarious when you find out Jordan wants to name the baby Jennifer Dylan… because of J.D.! It’s just such a perfectly Scrubs move.

“My Overkill” (Season 2, Episode 1)

This episode from season two isn’t a standout, but it’s a really fun and messy look at all the relationships happening at the hospital. It’s funny to see J.D. get even more nervous around Dr. Cox after sleeping with Jordan, and Elliot’s awkwardness when J.D. realizes she has a crush on him feels very real.

“My Overkill” is a really fun episode to revisit, especially knowing how things turn out for couples like Elliot and J.D. When you watch it for the first time, it can be a bit annoying seeing them hesitate and not just get together already, but knowing they eventually do makes it more enjoyable.

“My Two Dads” (Season 1, Episode 5)

The first season of Scrubs is especially good, and the episode “My Two Dads” centers around J.D. trying to figure out whether Dr. Kelso or Dr. Cox would be a better mentor. It explores thought-provoking ideas about what qualities make a great mentor and whether we can actually choose who guides us through life’s lessons.

This episode has a weak and awkward subplot involving Elliot’s chest, which holds it back from being great. Thankfully, knowing Elliot has stronger stories in other episodes lets us still appreciate the rest of “My Two Dads.”

“My Last Words” (Season 8, Episode 2)

Many fans don’t consider seasons 8 and 9 of Scrubs to be as strong as earlier seasons, but the episode “My Last Words” is a clear standout. It’s a touching story about coming to terms with life’s end, and it beautifully highlights the special bond between Turk and J.D.

You know, watching George Valentine face his mortality was really tough, but it was beautiful to see his friends rally around him. It just reinforces how incredible this group is – they genuinely make each other better, both as people and as doctors. And honestly, the episode was boosted by some fantastic guest appearances – Eliza Coupe and Courteney Cox were brilliant!

“My Own American Girl” (Season 3, Episode 1)

Throughout the series, Elliot undergoes a compelling transformation, ultimately embracing her unique personality. The start of season 3 shows her attempting a new look and striving to appear more confident.

Okay, so there’s a bit of a spark between Elliot and J.D. in this one, which is cute. But honestly, I always love J.D. best when he’s just being J.D., and this episode felt like it strayed a little too far from that. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t quite hit the high notes of some of the show’s stronger installments.

“My Screw Up” (Season 3, Episode 14)

I was completely blown away by that Emmy-nominated episode! Seriously, the ending came out of nowhere – you just don’t expect that kind of twist from a comedy. It really sets it apart from everything else they’ve done. And seeing Dr. Cox so vulnerable? It was such an emotional journey, and the way it all wrapped up was just beautiful. It’s easily one of my favorite episodes.

I absolutely adore Scrubs, and what I love most is how it can make you laugh hysterically one minute and then completely break your heart the next. This episode, though… it leans heavily into the sadness. While it’s still a powerful episode and definitely gets to you, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the show’s best, most balanced moments.

“My Way Home” (Season 5, Episode 7)

By the end of “My Way Home,” the characters are empowered to address their personal challenges, whether it’s Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes) dealing with her worries about starting a family or Elliot seeking advice from hormone specialists.

Even for Scrubs, a show known for being heartfelt, the moral of this episode feels a bit overly sentimental. Still, it’s a genuinely sweet story.

“My Lunch” (Season 5, Episode 20)

Jill’s death feels particularly shocking because she was such a regular presence in the story, and it mirrors the pain of losing someone suddenly in real life. The circumstances of her death are also deeply unsettling. Knowing that several people, including Jill, received organs infected with rabies helps us understand why Cox is so distraught.

This isn’t the only story to address the difficulty of accepting death as a universal part of life, but it’s certainly one of the most impactful.

2025-11-15 20:21