My Screw Up

Season 3, Episode 14, Aired
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Episode Summary

Jordan's brother and sister return, but Dr. Cox learns that his brother-in-law Ben hasn't visited a doctor about his cancer in the two years he has been gone traveling the world.
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Fan Episode Reviews (89)

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  • A surprising twist that could shake everyone to their core.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Canogaparkcindy, Nov 21, 2011 Report Abuse
    This was definitely one of the best of the series, out of all the twists Scrubs has had in the past, this one by far has been one of the best. I've rewatched this episode 3 times, and I finally think I got it. Ben was alive when he came to Sacred Heart, but the patient that died that Cox blamed JD for, that was Ben. He came for Jack's first birthday but when he got his leukemia checked, that's when he went in to cardiac arrest and died, everything else was in Cox's imagination. I got so much chills at the end of this episode, it literally shook me to my core, and this episode was so emotional, it was shocking. Scrubs is a comedy, but it always has some emotional scene in each episode, whether it's Elliot changing her image, 1 out of 3 patients dying in a hospital, finding out you're patient was trying to commit suicide or cancer in this case. I think what made this episode really sad is that we knew Ben as an actual character, he wasn't just any other patient. Danni, Jordan's sister, also makes an appearance for the birthday/funeral. Basically in this episode, one of JD's patients dies on him, and Cox blames JD. He takes all his patients and wont go home. In the end, it turns out the one that died was his best friend, Ben. Meanwhile Turk & Carla both have something they want to change about each other, but they don't go through with doing it in the end. We get a Carla/Kelso moment, which we haven't seen since season 1. Elliot worries about her newly found Bunyan, as Sean is coming back in a few weeks, and she wants to get it removed before he comes back. She ends up getting it removed in the end.

    All the minor side plots seemed pointless by the end, Ben has died, which reminded me what a great show Scrubs is, amazing episode that has a bit of everything.moreless

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    2 0

  • Not one of the best episodes of the series.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By chovez, Oct 16, 2011 Report Abuse
    The best episode of history of TV. Coming from Scrubs Season 3, note that. Who else can think there might be just one slightly better episode than this one? If you think that, you're in denial. "My Screw Up" deserves that title, for me it was flawless. I dislike there are already tons of reviews to this one, and who wrote them are not even close to be as [scrubs] fans as myself. Anyway, I wrote a 're-view'. Everybody here already stated why this is the best of the series, I'm going to skip that part then. So, the episode starts we have JD displaying his gift as a doctor when rubbing Elliot's foot. JD has his bunion face joke. The subplot is quickly introduced when Carla decides to keep her last name Espinoza after marrying. Then is Jordan asking Perry what come up for the adults in Jack's birthday, Cox has his russian roulette joke, JD interrupts asking if he should bring his piata helmet. And my second favorite part of the whole episode is: "Jordan: The only reason we invited you is because for some reason you have your own SpongeBob Squarepants costume.
    J.D.: It was a gift.
    JD's narration: From me to me!" HAHAHAHA
    It gets funnier when Danni walks in and JD quickly says he destroyed the videotape they made. And there is this hi-larious scene, let's just say it ends up with JD saying "Now I'll never gonna meet Bob Saget." That kind of humor really amazes me, only on [scrubs]. Next, it's time for Ben's grand entrance, he scares the hell out of JD, Ben takes pictures of him while bleeding. All this hilarity already and the theme song hadn't even played yet. So the rest of the episode is just FUNNY. Like Turk's mole talking "Finally a brother can breathe!", the giant afro guy with a hook playing cards with JD "Nice hand. I meant the cards." There is "Yeah! I am the King of Gay Chicken!" The shower shorts! Featuring the complementary shower wallet! Oww! Another LOL moment. "OH MY GOD, HE'S GONNA DIE!" There is the drunken human alarm clock. And this quote, "Listen. My butt is fabulous. A slice of that up here, that's just me spreading the wealth." "You wanna quit then quit. But you sir, are a worthless peon, and you will always be a worthless peon! Sir, you know my band, The Worthless Peons?" Hilarious! And special mention for Ben playing with Elliot as a puppet. Of course, there's more funny stuff to check out. ALSO, Carla looked stunning in this episode!
    I felt like they really tried to make this episode beyond very special, aiming to almost perfection. Every little detail and the humor is top class. It blows me away how funny the episode was and that is just secondary this time, the drama factor was primary, what made the episode. Obvioulsy the best part was the ending that would never get old, and still gives me chills everytime I see it. What a terrific episode, is an honor and pleasure to watch.moreless

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    10 5

  • Scrubs in top form!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By AdrenalinDragon, Dec 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    "My Screw Up"

    Grade: A*

    Understandably, this episode was Scrubs came out as a shocker to some viewers when the plot twist is revealed that Ben was the patient who died at the hospital, but the way the writers have cleverly hidden it away from first viewing is amazing. The biggest giveaway is that Ben says that he'll have his camera with him until the day he dies, and that he doesn't have it when he's a ghost. Most importantly though, I think this episode contributes to Dr. Cox's character very well in that he understands that not everyone is perfect and that there's a time for forgiveness. Not realising that Ben was dead also showed us new light to him, understanding the ways of life from Ben's ghost and having to get on with people he sees everyday. The final scene with J.D waking up Dr. Cox with the quote "Where do you think we are?" on realising he is at Ben's funeral was an extremely powerful and moving scene, showing us that even a character like Dr. Cox can have a soft side to him. Overall, the build up was flawless, the episode was funny, and has a brilliant plot twist I didn't see from the start! A must see for all viewers!moreless

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    1 0

  • Probably the finest Scrubs episode. Combines incredible comedy with a real emotion at the end. I haven\'t seen anything this good since Blackadder\'s Goodbyeeee.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Sorcer1, Oct 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    This is by far my favourite Scrubs episode as not only is it quite hilarious, but the story is also very well written with a very emotional end.

    The episode starts with Ben returning, which leads on to one of the most classic lines of the series:

    Ben (To JD): You know something? You have slept with both of my sisters, so that means that you and I have something in common.
    *JD Leaves*
    Ben (To Dr. Cox): Too weird?

    Throughout the series the Ben-Dr.Cox relationship has been, in my opinion, one of the most comical and interesting ones, and this makes the ending all the more sad.

    Meanwhile, the comedy in this episode is above the Scrub\'s average, which is already very high. For example:

    Dr. Kelso: Ted you know my rule about personal problems. I\'m not interested unless it involves my loved ones... Or possibly my wife.

    This episode is already shaping up to be one of the greatest, but what really lifts it up above the rest of them is its fantastic story and highly emotional end. I have not been this affected by a comedy since Blackadder\'s Goodbyeeee.moreless

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    4 0

  • Well worth watching

    10
    "Perfect"
    By BestOfYou, Oct 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    Although Scrubs is known for it's comedy, it's nice to see it take a break from it's usual "laugh-out-loud moments". Scrubs has been known for a few serious episodes (e.g episode 53 - "My Fifteen Seconds"). However, an episode like this, an event close to some of the main characters, reminds us that things aren't always funny and for the best. Some episodes include moments that remind us of this (such as JD's constant search of the perfect person, and his realisation that she is with another man), but "My Screw Up" shows that the show's known sarcastic character who never shows his feelings and emotions, actually does feel. At the end of this episode, you may have to try hard to fend back those tears.

    I highly recommend that whoever hasn't seen this, watches it.

    10/10.moreless

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    6 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • In the locker room where J.D. shows off his "Shower Shorts", on the locker behind him stands "Peace Sam". Sam is the name of J.D.s father, played by John Ritter, who died September 11, 2003. Edit
    • Ben snaps the shutter twice on his camera without taking out the print from the first snap, so the picture he's holding of J.D. in the bushes should have been a double exposure. Edit
    • When J.D. and Leonard are playing cards, Leonard already has cards on the table, lays down three cards, and says "Gin." This contradicts the rules of Gin Rummy; in Gin Rummy, you put down all of your cards at once. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Nominations: This episode was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 2004 for Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series and for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series. This episode was nominated for the 2004 Humanitas Prize for 30 Minute Category. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • J.D.'s narration: ...in the end, the most important thing to accept is that no matter how alone you feel, how painful it may be, with the help of those around you, you'll get through this too. Edit
    • Dr. Cox: Now where is your camera? Aren't, aren't you going to take some pictures? J.D.: Pictures of what? Dr. Cox: You know. Crying babies. Covered in chocolate. People singing happy birthday to my son, who've never even met him before. You know, the whole routine. J.D.: Where do you think we are? Edit
    • Ben: I'm glad you made it. Listen. There is one more thing you have to do for me. Dr. Cox: You can't keep me from getting drunk. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Bill Lawrence says this episode is an homage to The Sixth Sense. Edit

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