This Scrubs Episode Completely Changed One Of The Show's Best Characters
Like many sitcoms, Scrubs allowed its characters to grow and change as the show progressed, but one episode in particular marked a massive turning point in how the audience would perceive a long-standing character going forward. As well as all the doctors in Scrubs, the sitcom also had characters who weren't responsible for healing people. This gave the show an extra dimension that would have been lost if it had only ever revolved around doctors, surgeons, and nurses. This decision also allowed characters from various backgrounds to shine.
Of all Scrubs' side characters, Neil Flynn's Janitor is probably the most memorable. Appearing in all nine seasons of Scrubs(although only briefly in season 9), Flynn's character was primarily known for irreverent remarks and comically verbose lies. The Janitor was so popular with fans that he became a bigger and bigger part of Scrubs until his departure at the very beginning of Scrubs: Med School. However, it was difficult to ever see him in the same light after taking to the spotlight in Scrubs season 5.
"His Story III" Shows The Janitor At His Most Honest
The Janitor shares some raw truths about what drives him
Although most episodes were narrated by Zach Braff's John "JD" Dorian, Scrubs did occasionally have alternate storytellers providing the voiceovers. In Scrubs season 5, episode 19, "His Story III," it was the Janitor's turn to let the audience into his inner workings. The installment shows Flynn's character at his most honest, but not just because his unfiltered musings are made available for all to hear. When a patient named Eric McNair (Henry LeBlanc) with locked-in syndrome is waiting for a new laptop so he can communicate again, the Janitor takes it upon himself to keep the mute man company.
"Well, Mr. McNair, I hope you didn't mind me hanging out all day talking to you. I don't think you do mind. I've got a seventh sense about that sort of thing. My sixth sense is that I can tell when squirrels are afraid. Anyway, I know you lost your computer, and I thought you were maybe a little bit lonely. I've been lonely around here, a couple of times. I don't know, I just hope I helped."
- The Janitor to Mr McNair at the end of "His Story III"
Because Eric can't reply to the Janitor's ramblings, he spills far more of his vulnerable side than usual. The Janitor shares his motivation for working in a hospital, and it's that he wants to feel like part of a team of people helping people. This has often been jokingly referenced by the Janitor masquerading as a persona known as Dr. Jan Itor, but hearing the admission without the veneer of his signature irreverence makes his questionable decision to impersonate a doctor upsettingly understandable. After this episode, it's much tougher to hear anyone belittling the Janitor for his line of work.
The Janitor's Endless Slew Of Jokes In Scrubs Make His Vulnerable Moments Even Better
Neil Flynn nails his rare dramatic scenes in Scrubs
The Janitor doesn't spend the entirety of "His Story III" delivering heartbreaking monologs. Instead, he continues to drop in his zany off-beat jokes and shares more of his ridiculous inventions. The episode's ratio of these two sides of the Janitor's personality is far more weighted than usual, but Scrubs does often highlight his aptitude for comedy and vulnerability. In fact, the Janitor spends almost every second of his Scrubs screen time cracking joke after joke. As such, it can be difficult to remember how deeply affected he can be by various scenarios.
Scrubs' Revival Must Bring Back A Hilarious Janitor Running Gag That Started To Disappear In Season 8
Neil Flynn's Janitor had a great running gag in Scrubs that started to vanish as the show drew to a close, but the revival can bring it back.
Whenever the sitcom does spend more time addressing the Janitor's emotional side, it's incredibly rewarding due to the waterfall of innocuous comments and comical misdirection that have to be navigated in order to reach his core. "His Story III" isn't the only example of the Janitor baring his soul, but it's the best installment when it comes to exploring his inner workings without having to be so focused on being one of Scrubs's funniest characters.
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