Scrubs: My Old Man

Episode score 9.1 Superb

My Old Man

  • 19.
  • Season: 1
  • Episode: 19
  • First Aired: 4/9/2002
  • Prod Code: S120
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EPISODE OVERVIEW

5 Reviews | 252 Votes

An assortment of moms and dads descend on their offspring at home and in the workplace.
J.D.'s father is a gregarious yet lonely divorcee who's desperately trying to be just one of the guys.
Elliot's folks, on the other hand, are a snooty couple whose pompous behavior dismays their daughter.
Similarly rattled is Turk, unnerved by the bonding of his girlfriend, Carla, and his brassy mother.
But the most vexatious parent by far is the Janitor's dad. Read full recap »

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CAST AND CREW

Writers:
Matt Tarses
Director:
Adam Bernstein
Stars:
Donald Faison (Dr. Christopher "Chris" Duncan Turk)
John C. McGinley (Dr. Percival "Perry" Cox)
Judy Reyes (Nurse Carla Espinosa)
Ken Jenkins (Dr. Robert "Bob" Kelso)
Sarah Chalke (Dr. Elliot Reid)
Zach Braff (Dr. John Michael "J.D." Dorian)
Recurring Role:
Neil Flynn (Janitor)
Guest Star:
Matt Winston (Dr. Jeffrey Steadman)
Colin Martin (Patient)
Alexandra Lee (Young Elliott)
David S. Robinson-Hicks (Young Turk)
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TRIVIA

  • J.D.'s female name for this episode is Reba. edit »
  • In this episode we find out that J.D.'s resident is actually Dr. Steadman, who is referred to as Kelso's lapdog. We first meet him in "My First Day" or the Pilot where he introduces himself and is then seen as repeating "I am a tool" and "I am a dork" for the rest of the episode. edit »
  • In the episode "My Mentor", Turk tells Eliot that his mother is one of Jehovah's Witnesses. However, in this episode, she does not react the way a JW would about Turk and Carla's premarital relationship, and J.D. references an incident at Thanksgiving which JW's do not celebrate. edit »
  • In this episode, J.D. starts believing in Karma when he ridicules Turk and his father shows up. This will play a larger part in the season two episode, My Karma. edit »
  • Turk's mother says he'd look better in blue scrubs, although green is the colour for surgeons at Sacred Heart. For a short period after, Turk wears blue scrubs, until Carla realises something disturbing at which point he changes back to green. edit »
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NOTES

  • Title Explanation: "My Old Man" signifies J.D's father coming into town. edit »
  • In this episode, John Ritter and Markie Post guest star as the parents of John Dorian and Elliot Reid, respectively.
    Previously, Ritter and Post had played opposite each other in the show Hearts Afire. edit »
  • This episode was originally slated to air April 2, 2002, but was postponed for one week to April 9, 2002. edit »
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QUOTES

  • Janitor's father: You know, this has got to be the most piss-poor sorry excuse for a hospital that I have ever set foot in.
    Janitor: Well, Dad, in that case, feel free to not stop by every day that you're in town.
    Janitor's father: Good-bye, son. See you tomorrow. edit »
  • Elliot: I mean, you were right, I got into this for all the wrong reasons but I lucked out because now that I'm here, I can't imagine being anywhere else.
    Dr. Kelso: I still don't like your father!
    Elliot: Oh, me neither, sir. edit »
  • Dr. Kelso: Well, if it isn't daddy's little girl.
    Elliot: Dr. Kelso, I just wanted to tell you what happened to me this afternoon.
    Dr. Kelso: I'm going to go right ahead and keep eating my soup but you rest assured I'm holding my breath on the inside.
    Elliot: First, I came out to my mother.
    Dr. Kelso: Well, then it appears the boys down in radiology owe me quite a bit of money. edit »
  • Carla: I just freaked out because your mom and I have so much in common.
    Turk: So?
    Carla: I don't know, I got this crazy idea that you only fell for me because I'm just like your mom.
    Turk: Aw, baby... That's exactly why I fell for you.
    Carla: Okay, I'll probably just have a friend pick up my stuff...
    Turk: No, wait, sit down. What's wrong with wanting to be with someone because they're smart and independent and always looking out for you? Okay?
    Carla: Yeah.
    Turk: Okay.
    Carla: But if we ever get married, we're gonna have to talk about this in therapy. edit »
  • Carla: Turk. I do like that Cuban restaurant.
    Turk: Well, I think the important thing is we got through this together. edit »
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ALLUSIONS

  • Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket
    When the Janitor's father makes his son do push-ups, he shouts at him "Sound off like you got a pair!". This is a reference to Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, where he played a marines drill instructor who used that line a number on a number of occasions. edit »
  • The bald doctor who nods at the end of Turk and Elliot's report has a name tag that reads:

    "Dr. Hunter S. Thompson."

    A nod to the late, great, Gonzo journalist. edit »

REVIEWS

See all reviews for this episode »
Show Score 9.2 superb
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  • 178 of 17,819 Rating Rank
  • 804 Reviews
  • 24,726 Tracked by
  • 17,978 Votes
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