"Scrubs" His Story IV (TV Episode 2007) Poster

(TV Series)

(2007)

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9/10
Classic Scrubs
Collegekid20081 February 2007
The second new Scrubs episode in a row that I have felt the need to comment on. First off well done episode. It's about time that Kelso get an episode dedicated to him.

However I did think it was a bad idea for a situational comedy to try and tackle an issue as divisive as the Iraq War, until I saw the episode. I felt that it was well done, and did not try to attempt to force the views of the writers or the actors on the war but presented the issue from both sides.

The only thing is that I wish JD had a bigger role within the episode, but his lack of a presence is also very well played.

Without giving away any plot I also think that Kelso's daydream sequence's were very funny.
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10/10
Fantastic
irishkevin5154 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This was a great episode which really brought home a message. Great job to the writers keep pushing the envelope. We need more TV like this, especially from sitcoms. (not every week, but once a season would be great)

I like having an episode from a different point of view such as Dr Kelso instead of JD narrating.

I have never been so moved by an episode of television in such a long time. I have been talking to so many people about this episode, I new this was the next step to take.

Again I say Thank You writers!
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10/10
Powerhouse work of Ken Jenkins!
toni_silvennoinen114 July 2009
This episode broke into top 3 of all-time greatest scrubs episodes, others include of course My Lunch & My Screwup. It's great to see that the episodes that are not Jd-heavy episodes can deliver a truly great watching experience, and it makes you like the JD-ones too because you know that this show isn't all about just one character.

Anyway back to my point.

Ken Jenkins is really on fire in this one! We see comedy,drama and human relations issues being handled in a way that only scrubs can deliver. And oh man what a way! It was pure perfection to make Kelso the main lead on this one. Ken Jenkins is a great actor, always has been. He's highly regarded and also the founder of Louisville rep. and you can really tell that.

We all know that Kelso is a mean old guy and always demeaning others but in this episode we finally figure out why (if you hadn't figured it out sooner). He is not that guy because he likes it (well maybe partly), he HAS to be that guy because that is the only way he gets the others working together like a finely oiled machine. Uniting everyone by giving them all one subject to hate, himself. That's when you realize that Kelso cares, deeply, about his minions & patients. He puts them all above himself.

Pure perfection!
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10/10
Surprisingnly perfect
kiwiverde9719 October 2016
In this episode we take the point of view of Kelso and the way they are able to humanize the character is awesome.

After this episode I started to find Kelso as one of the best characters in the series, it is really that good of a performance from the actor.

Moreover the political commentary on Iraq may be dated, but the feud between republicans and democrats without any clear winners is well written and doesn't overstay its welcome.

No tear, no tear jerking moments: just pure humanity... They are able to build a great episode even without a gimmick or a sad sad finale.

One of the best of the series!
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10/10
An episode not on politics but on the way in which politics come between family, friends and coworkers
alywelch9 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I know I'm a little late to the party, but I feel a need to chime in because a lot of reviews, positive and negative, missed the point of this episode, and especially Kelso's character.

I suppose it helps that I discovered this episode in syndication at a time when I was becoming increasingly frustrated with liberal vs. conservative debates. The show didn't present a viewpoint on whether or not they agreed with the war because that's not what the episode was about. No, the message of the episode is that people shouldn't let political differences interfere with their friendships or their jobs.

Now Kelso has always been the embodiment of heartless bureaucracy on the show but throughout the seasons we learn that it's the nature of the job not necessarily the man. He keeps his political opinions to himself because his responsibility is to the patients first and foremost. His staff has lost sight of their personal responsibilities so once again he has to play the villain, not because that's who he is, but because that's who he needs to be to keep the hospital running.

In one particular brilliant scene that's easily dismissed as silly, the staff square off in the coffee shop, each stating increasingly boisterous and dehumanizing political jargon until the janitor chimes in with complete gibberish. Sure, it's hilarious but it also holds a mirror up to how idiotic they all sound regardless of which side they take. It's not about what you believe so much as how you express those beliefs and relate to others with differing beliefs.

Ultimately, it's not the job of the show to pick a side any more than it was the job of the characters to. If you ever watch the commentary, they also mention how diverse the cast and crew is. The difference is that they, unlike the fictional staff of their show in this particular episode, don't let it come between them or interfere with their ability to put on a funny show.

For me, the viewing experience was cathartic. It's nice knowing there are others who find the endless bickering as tiresome as I do, especially when it comes between people who should be working together for the same goal.

The episode also enabled me to laugh off my frustrations.
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10/10
Great Episode!
Thehabbobobba9 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I loved this episode so much I felt like I had to review it. First of all I read other reviews; they talked about the Iraq war because private dancer was in the army. Prive dancer talked to Kelso about how Kelso reminds him of his Sargent. So I don't see why u guys put this episode down for the Iraq war. It's current and a hot topic a TV show gets involved with. Like how dr cox talks about the economy and health care in season 9. Anyway, great episode. It was funny and the end was heartwarming :) this episode had me watching it over and over. Plot summary: Kelso feels unneeded in the hospital. He narrates a day in the life of dr. Kelso as he keeps a patient company and tries to help his employees. Good job writers! I have nothing but good reviews for scrubs. Best show ever.
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4/10
Shark Circling the Waters?.....
stevesliv2 February 2007
Last night's episode has me a bit worried that the show has started to jump the shark. I thought the episode missed badly. They could have done so much more with the Private Dancer joke, with each cast member learning the patient's name and having their own fun with it. Kelso could have been a lot funnier. It was stupid that battle lines were drawn politically and Scrubs rarely introduces hot button topics into its shows- that is what makes it timeless and classic. Like Keith and Elliot wouldn't know each other's political orientation after a year together? It was a cheap way to call Hillary Clinton a beetch, and it missed. All in all, a poor episode and I hope they turn it around.
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Did it say nothing ? Or did it say everything ?!
elshikh47 December 2009
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, it's not one of the best. Its comedy was between average and weak considering the other, surely bigger, parties of the wacky fun that we know as "Scrubs".

Dr. Kelso is a funny little guy, but a mean dictator after all. This time, we get to hear his self-narration. Furthermore, "Scrubs" approaches to the matter of the American war in Iraq. Actually, being a debatable matter assures something wrong that the Americans see. And it's so glaring for anyone that knows something about the previous tragedy, or the first swamp, which is called Vietnam. But great part of the Americans are so busy of inner - more urgent - matters, like looking for a flat (as J.D.), or waiting for markdown (like all the hospital's staff).

It managed to show all the possible viewpoints; the anti-war (Dr. Cox, Dr. Turk), the pro-war (Dr. Reid), the one who refuses to adopt an attitude and preferring side on the other (Ted), and the absolute ignorant who doesn't have a viewpoint towards the whole subject or any consciousness about it in the first place (J.D.).

It was smart move to make the forth type as J.D. since he's the lead of the show, or its narrator, which makes him represent the majority of its viewers. But, on the other hand, you'd think for a while that the episode looked exactly like Ted. Just showed all the conflicting parties without any viewpoint for itself!

However, if I supposed that the show was having its own point of view, then what would it be? And hey, why relating Dr. Kelso to the matter of the American war in Iraq mainly? I think the 2 questions got one answer.

If you haven't noticed, Kelso didn't say anything in the current debate. Because all what he wanted was being the leader (So he wouldn't be an appendix!). Hence, he handled his job well, explained his philosophy finely (telling the fresh doctor "You can get attention by being violent, or by being charming."), and ending the episode with his so unfair decision about the scale-down: "Nobody will get any, except me of course". He thinks that he's uniting everyone by giving them one subject to hate; himself. So this can fit as some analysis for bossy boss like Kelso, or a metaphor for George. W. Bush at the moment!

Maybe the show's makers were afraid of declaring a certain viewpoint that may make it lose some viewers, so ratings. Or maybe these very makers are having the same debate without one generally accepted opinion towards the case. But at any rate, "Scrubs" is an intelligent show all along. Thus using Kelso in specific as a parallel line to this matter is conspicuous. And when the episode urges showing him as the leader, who doesn't want to be appendix, clearly uses violence not charm, and takes his own decisions - that serve his very own benefits only - without caring about the people or the consequences, believing that that's the leadership--then I must think about hidden meanings under the surface.

Just relate between the character of the draftee being wounded in the head, losing parts of it in Iraq, and his condition as someone who knows nothing but to hate his sergeant. The thing that unites him with his colleagues is hating someone, not believing in a cause. Because, to tell you the ugly truth, there is no cause from the start. It's their leader's agenda, or - as in Kelso's case - the selfish decisions, not any noble goal. And that's why this poor draftee along with all his colleagues are losing their heads.

Someday, all the defense of Cox and Turk will be proved right. The lies about WMD, the war to win petroleum.. All of that will be uncovered. Kelso wanted to be a leader. And so was Bush. Both are idiot, greedy and hatful persons. The only difference between them is that Kelso is frank about it. That's my viewpoint. I just think that it's the show's as well.
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1/10
A failure on all fronts
dgard-949497 April 2021
I remember this episode being terrible when it first aired, and it's still terrible today. Nothing to do with actors performance, but rather multiple subject matters that are inappropriate for a comedy show. Like many, I watch shows such as Scrubs to escape issues such as war and politics - I'm intelligent enough to research those huge topics on my own and I don't need writers of a TV show trying to force their views on me.

It's sad that when Ken Jenkins finally got his opportunity to voice over the episode and tell more of Bob Kelso's story that it was on this joke of an episode.
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3/10
For me.....the so far weakest Episode of Scrubs!!!!!
e-lehnhoff5 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't like this Episode at all!!!

It was a good idea to make an episode with Kelso as narrator and the salt-bunny is hilarious...but...Why???

Why the Iraq??? Come on, did they really had to chime in???

It was nothing new, nothing that didn't appear in thousands of other TV-shows etc. before.

I want the "poo-musical" back!!! I think the musical-episode was the best so far. So it's very disappointing to have this episode to follow.

I'm really disappointed by this episode and i'm hoping that the next one will be better....which should not be so hard!!!
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