My Last Words
Encyclopedia
"My Last Words" is the 152nd episode of the television series Scrubs
, and the second of its eighth season. The episode first aired on January 6, 2009 on ABC
, following the show's departure from NBC
. It immediately followed "My Jerks
", the first episode of the 8th season. The episode was written by Aseem Batra and directed by Bill Lawrence, the creator of the show. The episode was awarded the 2009 Humanitas Prize in the 30 Minute Category.
" tradition, "Steak Night," but plans are put on hold when they encounter George Valentine (Glynn Turman
), a terminally ill
patient with ischemic bowel disease who will probably die in the night. George convinces J.D. and Turk to leave the hospital, putting him in Denise's care. Turk and J.D. return after finding out that George has lied to them and has no family to comfort him, relieving Denise of her duties. J.D. and Turk decide to stay and talk George through his fears of death. George mentions that he would like a beer after being denied a cigar, sending J.D. and Turk out on a beer run (in which they also purchase a flare gun and a box of condom
s so as to not "seem like losers for purchasing one can of beer").
The night soon turns into an evening of talking about life and death in an effort to comfort George. He initially finds it hard to open up to Turk and J.D. but soon finds comfort in the company that they bring. George questions J.D. and Turk about death and how his will occur, highlighting the duo's own fears of passing in the process, but eventually finding some happiness. George soon becomes drowsy and falls asleep, asking J.D. and Turk if they'll be around when he wakes up, to which they reply yes. He does not wake up, and Turk and J.D. celebrate their meeting and his passing on the roof of the hospital by shooting off the flare gun.
, Dr. Kelso
, Janitor
, or Elliot
. The only major characters appearing were J.D., Turk, and Carla
. This is the first time the Janitor has not appeared in an episode since "My Lucky Day".
" and "My Last Words". Scrubs obtained 6.7 million viewers for this hour long slot, around as many as the season 7 premiere on NBC
. The two episodes together were the two most viewed shows in the 18-49 demographic.
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
, and the second of its eighth season. The episode first aired on January 6, 2009 on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, following the show's departure from NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. It immediately followed "My Jerks
My Jerks
"My Jerks" is the 151st episode and television season premiere of the eighth season of the ABC Studios television series Scrubs. The episode first aired on January 6, 2009 on the American Broadcasting Company, following the show's departure from NBC. It was immediately followed by the second...
", the first episode of the 8th season. The episode was written by Aseem Batra and directed by Bill Lawrence, the creator of the show. The episode was awarded the 2009 Humanitas Prize in the 30 Minute Category.
Plot
The episode begins as Turk and J.D. are making plans for the continuation of their "bro-manticBromance
A bromance is a close but non-sexual relationship between two men, a form of homosocial intimacy.-Etymology:Bromance is a portmanteau of the words bro or brother and romance...
" tradition, "Steak Night," but plans are put on hold when they encounter George Valentine (Glynn Turman
Glynn Turman
Glynn Russell Turman is an American stage, television, and film actor as well as a writer, director, and producer. He is perhaps best known for his roles as high school student Leroy "Preach" Jackson in the 1975 coming-of-age film Cooley High, math professor and retired Army colonel Bradford...
), a terminally ill
Terminal illness
Terminal illness is a medical term popularized in the 20th century to describe a disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and that is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient within a short period of time. This term is more commonly used for progressive diseases such as...
patient with ischemic bowel disease who will probably die in the night. George convinces J.D. and Turk to leave the hospital, putting him in Denise's care. Turk and J.D. return after finding out that George has lied to them and has no family to comfort him, relieving Denise of her duties. J.D. and Turk decide to stay and talk George through his fears of death. George mentions that he would like a beer after being denied a cigar, sending J.D. and Turk out on a beer run (in which they also purchase a flare gun and a box of condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
s so as to not "seem like losers for purchasing one can of beer").
The night soon turns into an evening of talking about life and death in an effort to comfort George. He initially finds it hard to open up to Turk and J.D. but soon finds comfort in the company that they bring. George questions J.D. and Turk about death and how his will occur, highlighting the duo's own fears of passing in the process, but eventually finding some happiness. George soon becomes drowsy and falls asleep, asking J.D. and Turk if they'll be around when he wakes up, to which they reply yes. He does not wake up, and Turk and J.D. celebrate their meeting and his passing on the roof of the hospital by shooting off the flare gun.
Production
This episode did not feature Dr. CoxDr. Cox
Percival "Perry" Ulysses Cox, M.D. , is a fictional character played by John C. McGinley on the American television comedy-drama Scrubs....
, Dr. Kelso
Bob Kelso
Robert "Bob" Kelso, M.D. , is a fictional character played by Ken Jenkins in the American comedy-drama Scrubs....
, Janitor
Janitor (Scrubs)
The Janitor is a fictional character, played by actor Neil Flynn in the American comedy-drama Scrubs.Neil Flynn was originally billed as a recurring guest star throughout Season 1, although he appeared in all 24 episodes of that season. He was promoted to a series regular beginning with Season 2...
, or Elliot
Elliot Reid
Dr. Elliot Reid is a fictional character played by Sarah Chalke in the American comedy-drama Scrubs. She has appeared in every episode during the first eight seasons except two Season 8 episodes, "My Last Words" and "My Lawyer's in Love"....
. The only major characters appearing were J.D., Turk, and Carla
Carla Espinosa
Carla Espinosa, RN is a fictional character in the American comedy-drama Scrubs, portrayed by Judy Reyes.Carla has appeared in every episode during the first eight seasons except three Season 8 episodes, "My Happy Place", "My Cookie Pants" and "My Full Moon"...
. This is the first time the Janitor has not appeared in an episode since "My Lucky Day".
Reception
The Season 8 premiere of Scrubs was run by ABC in an hour long slot comprising two separate episodes, "My JerksMy Jerks
"My Jerks" is the 151st episode and television season premiere of the eighth season of the ABC Studios television series Scrubs. The episode first aired on January 6, 2009 on the American Broadcasting Company, following the show's departure from NBC. It was immediately followed by the second...
" and "My Last Words". Scrubs obtained 6.7 million viewers for this hour long slot, around as many as the season 7 premiere on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. The two episodes together were the two most viewed shows in the 18-49 demographic.