Scrubs is still one of the best comedy series of all time, not just because of the good gags. A minor character shows in just 3 episodes why the series is a masterpiece.
Which character is it? Scrubs had occasional guest stars throughout its 9 seasons, including Courteney Cox and Michael J. Fox. However, the most memorable appearance was probably Brendan Fraser as Ben Sullivan, Jordan’s brother.
He appeared in only 3 episodes, but he also represents the greatest strengths of the series, which is why fans are still looking forward to a Scrubs revival today.
It’s not just the gags and words that matter
Why is the character so good? One could try to reduce Scrubs to just the good gags and the emotional dramatic scenes. But there is much more to it. Ben as a character combines all the important elements.
On the one hand, Brendan Fraser plays the character well and even outshines the main characters in their respective episodes. He combines slapstick humor, situational comedy, and a charming presence, which makes the later revelation that he has leukemia even more emotional. He is a perpetually cheerful guy who is now confronted with a life-changing illness.
That alone would be a strong element for an episode, but there is a significantly more important component: Dr. Cox.
His first 2 episodes are in the first season (episodes 22 and 23). The dialogue between Ben and Dr. Cox at the end of the 23rd episode gives the perpetually grumpy doctor a strong character development. He opens up to Ben (as much as he can) and reveals his own weaknesses. The scene is not just emotional; it ends with a bittersweet kind of hope. J.D. summarizes it in the German version as follows:
You might think that nothing had changed. But that wasn’t true. As for Ben. He was actually responding to the chemotherapy and could leave us. I hope he doesn’t come back, but who can know. But anyway, that’s not really what it’s about. It’s about me realizing that we are at our most heroic when we admit to being no heroes at all.
It is not J.D. who is the anchor that captivates viewers across the seasons. It’s Dr. Cox. He is J.D.’s hero, our hero, and also Ben’s hero. But that doesn’t always mean something positive.
In the hospital, you can’t always win, no matter how good you are
In the episode My Fault
(season 3, episode 14), Ben returns. His illness is back, but in the hospital, he is as cheerful as ever. He takes photos, interacts with the characters, and Dr. Cox wants J.D. to take care of Ben.
J.D. is unable to find the time. Otherwise, the episode goes like the others. But then comes the ending. Dr. Cox goes to his son’s birthday with Ben, but he wonders why no children are playing. It turns out: It’s Ben’s funeral.
Dr. Cox had just introduced himself to Ben before the celebration. It was his way of mourning. Even if he outwardly blames J.D., the title this time refers to Dr. Cox. He blames himself. The hero has failed; he could not save him.
Here, the emotional finale of the episode works on 2 levels:
- Within the story, we see the seemingly indestructible Dr. Cox breaking down. All his talent as a doctor didn’t help, and we as viewers realize (like J.D.) that Dr. Cox is just a human. The balance of gags and drama led to one of the best scenes in the series and the line:
What do you think, where we are?
- Outside the story, anyone can relate to the moment: There are things in life that are beyond our control, no matter how hard we try to fight against them. Some things cannot be influenced, even if it hurts.
Scrubs is not funny because it is sometimes funny, and Scrubs is not sad because it is sometimes sad. Scrubs creates, through the characters, the relationships with each other, and the great dialogues, not just snapshots. Scrubs feels real and relatable.
But that is only part of what is wonderfully embodied in the character Ben Sullivan. Another important point is the staging.
One must also talk about the camera
When talking about Scrubs, the focus is usually on the characters, the jokes, and the emotions. But all of that can only be effective if the staging, especially the camera and scene composition, is right.
Instead of relying on shot-counter-shot
, the camera moves dynamically. In the end, we see a dialogue between Ben and Dr. Cox. The camera pans to J.D. and back to Dr. Cox, but this time Ben is missing. The camera moves with Dr. Cox, making the image livelier and the scene more effective.
Previous scenes with Ben are mobile. He appears livelier. He is not just a minor character; he is the image, the red thread we follow as viewers. Here, a symbiosis arises from Brendan Fraser, who knows exactly what he is doing, and the camera work that highlights him in the best light. This is not achieved through good gags or dialogues but through a sense for details.
Moreover, there are smaller clues that attentive viewers can discover. For example, when Ben loses his camera in an episode, it is the moment he dies. You don’t even need this detail for the story, but it makes it more effective because an important element of the character is lost.
Additionally, there is one of the best shots in the entire series. After Dr. Cox realizes that Ben is dead, we see J.D. in the background and Dr. Cox in the foreground, who is close to tears.
On paper, Brendan Fraser is just one of many guest stars who appeared throughout Scrubs, but he is so much more. He has a lasting influence on how J.D. and we as viewers see Dr. Cox, and he represents all the strengths that make Scrubs one of the best series of all time. If you miss the series, here is a recommendation: A fantastic comedy series with “Marshall” from How I Met Your Mother is perfect for anyone who misses Scrubs.
