Scrubs' Revival Can Correct This Huge Season 9 Character Mistake That Season 6 Had Already Solved

Scrubs' divisive ninth season handled one of its original characters very poorly, but the sitcom's revival can fix this error. Although not officially rebooted or labeled as a spinoff, Scrubs: Med School was a clear attempt at separating itself from the show's first eight seasons. So, of all nine seasons of Scrubs, it's definitely the most different, and also universally agreed upon as being the worst. Although most of the established characters returned, there was one particularly notable absence, and the explanation hurt a major part of their personality.

Although the show was largely beloved, the Scrubs revival gives creator Bill Lawrence the chance to redeem the sitcom after the resounding failure of the Med School run. Not only does it mean every doctor from Scrubs can return in some capacity, but other characters can also return to the fold after years off the air. However, one specific mistake made with a member of the Sacred Heart team needs to be rectified after an uncharacteristic decision.

Scrubs: Med School Undid Carla's Big Career Choice She Made In "My Musical"

Judy Reyes' Scrubs character already decided she wouldn't stop nursing when she became a mother

Judy Reyes as Carla in Scrubs with her back to Donald Faison as Turk who has one finger in the air

In Scrubs' musical episode, Judy Reyes' Carla Espinosa is met with the difficult decision of whether to take a year off from nursing and focus on being a mother or if she'll stay and continue to work as a nurse. In "My Musical," Carla's conundrum becomes the subject matter for two of the installment's songs. The most notable of the two is her duet with Donald Faison's Chris Turk. In "For the Last Time, I'm Dominican," the lyrical content mostly focuses on Turk's amusing inability to remember his wife's heritage, but it ends with Carla deciding to stay at work.

TURK: You're not staying home from work?
CARLA: Would that make you happy, Turk?
TURK: I'll support you if you choose to earn the Benjamins.
CARLA: Then I'll return to work today, now you're sure that that's okay.
TURK: I say "sí," which is "yes" in Dominican. And Puerto Rican.
CARLA: Turk!
TURK: But you're Dominican.
- The ending of Turk & Carla's duet in Scrubs season 6, episode 6, "My Musical."

Reyes didn't return for Scrubs season 9, but Faison did remain as part of the cast. So, the writers had to come up with a reason why Carla wasn't still nursing at the new Sacred Heart. Unfortunately, the decision was made to have Carla backtrack on her view that nursing was too big a part of who she was for her to take a break, as she was confirmed to be a stay-at-home mom, raising the two kids she had with Turk. Given how passionately she refused to do this in season 6, this seems out of character for Carla.

Why Carla Was Relegated To An Offscreen Character In Scrubs Season 9

Reyes' choice not to return for the Med School episodes needs a better in-universe Carla explanation

Reyes' decision not to feature in Scrubs: Med School was the actual reason why Carla never appeared, but there could be a relatively simple in-universe explanation to account for her absence. In short, she could have changed her mind after having a second child. On the other hand, Carla is a character of incredibly strong resolve, and she is often immovable in her beliefs. So, although it was unlikely to have happened, it still did. Really, a better explanation would have been for Carla to transfer to another hospital between seasons.

To offer another token in-universe explanation, it could be argued that Turk and Carla just couldn't afford to pay for the extra childcare after their second baby. Unfortunately, this doesn't really hold any water either. By the time of Scrubs: Med School, Turk was Sacred Heart's Chief of Surgery, so the extra pay from such a senior position would presumably have covered the additional expense. Sadly, this is just more proof of the impact Reyes' choice not to return had on her character's established preference in "My Musical."

Carla's Comeback Is One Of The Biggest Aspects Of Scrubs Season 10

Carla was one of the few main characters who left after season 8

Because the Med School run shifted focus to a new batch of interns, it's easy to forget just how much of the original Scrubs actually made the jump to the ninth season. Reyes was one of the few established stars not to appear in Scrubs season 9, as even Neil Fynn's Janitor had a brief cameo in episode 1 to explain his character's departure. However, she was also the most notable absentee. So, Carla's presence in the revival would be a big deal.

Currently serving as a main cast member of High Potential, Reyes' return is perhaps also a little less likely than some of the other original Scrubs actors.

Currently serving as a main cast member of High Potential, Reyes' return is perhaps also a little less likely than some of the other original Scrubs actors. Thankfully, it seems that every effort is being made to allow her to straddle both projects, appearing in High Potential at the same time as Scrubs season 10. Fans and Reyes herself are both owed a chance to see Carla redeemed and restored to the brilliant and committed nurse she was in Scrubs seasons 1 through 8.