I'm a huge fan of Scrubs. The humor is genius, the plot is interesting, and at the end of the day, Scrubs has a very unique characterizing feel. Unfortunately, I can't say those apply to "My Jerks" in the same way it does other episodes. Is this the worst episode of Scrubs? Not a chance. We'll leave that classification to 6.11 "My Night to Remember." However, if you are not much on change, this episode will certainly make you very uneasy. Maybe it's because ABC picked up the show for season 8, but a lot of the characteristics of Scrubs seem altered.
The episode is still shot in the classic one camera style of Scrubs, but the lighting is noticeably different. This may be in part due to the show's upgrade to a High Definition format for season 8, but it doesn't feel the same. This episode, while it has it's jokes, carries a serious vibe, but not in the dramatic way of some of the best episodes in the series have ("My Lunch"), but rather in a more dry sense.
Also, while the removal of Dr. Kelso as the Chief of Medicine is technically an issue to be addressed in season 7, it bothers me more in season 8. In fact, it didn't bother me at all when it occurred in the 7th season. It's the annoying replacement of Dr. Kelso with Dr. Taylor Maddox (Courteney Cox) that troubles me. I mean seriously? I understand that she is a new character, but the jokes written for her character are only mildly amusing. Plus the banter and chemistry between Dr. Kelso and Dr. Cox is missing. I know they are trying to create new conflict here, but I personally would have rather just seen Dr. Cox get offered the Chief position permanently after serving as interim Chief. This may not be the most common scenario in the real world, but it isn't unheard of, and I feel as if it would keep the show moving along nicely as opposed to the stagnation it seems to be in currently with this season opener.
I know I've been pretty critical of this episode, but like I said, it isn't the worst episode in the series for sure. It's just different. Very different. And so, with that in mind, I give this episode a generous 7/10.
The episode is still shot in the classic one camera style of Scrubs, but the lighting is noticeably different. This may be in part due to the show's upgrade to a High Definition format for season 8, but it doesn't feel the same. This episode, while it has it's jokes, carries a serious vibe, but not in the dramatic way of some of the best episodes in the series have ("My Lunch"), but rather in a more dry sense.
Also, while the removal of Dr. Kelso as the Chief of Medicine is technically an issue to be addressed in season 7, it bothers me more in season 8. In fact, it didn't bother me at all when it occurred in the 7th season. It's the annoying replacement of Dr. Kelso with Dr. Taylor Maddox (Courteney Cox) that troubles me. I mean seriously? I understand that she is a new character, but the jokes written for her character are only mildly amusing. Plus the banter and chemistry between Dr. Kelso and Dr. Cox is missing. I know they are trying to create new conflict here, but I personally would have rather just seen Dr. Cox get offered the Chief position permanently after serving as interim Chief. This may not be the most common scenario in the real world, but it isn't unheard of, and I feel as if it would keep the show moving along nicely as opposed to the stagnation it seems to be in currently with this season opener.
I know I've been pretty critical of this episode, but like I said, it isn't the worst episode in the series for sure. It's just different. Very different. And so, with that in mind, I give this episode a generous 7/10.
