Sacred Heart Gets Older, Wiser… and Nostalgic

ABC’s much-anticipated revival of Scrubs — officially considered Season 10 of the beloved medical comedy — has finally arrived after a 15-year absence. With original stars Zach Braff (J.D. Dorian), Donald Faison (Turk), and Sarah Chalke (Elliot Reid) at the center once again, the first four episodes attempt a delicate tightrope walk: honoring what made the early seasons feel so heartfelt while recalibrating the show for a 2026 audience.

On paper, the revival does exactly what fans have been longing for — the familiar characters return with much of the original cast’s chemistry intact. Braff, Faison, and Chalke slip back into their roles as if no time has passed; the bromance between J.D. and Turk remains an emotional and comedic anchor, now amplified by the wisdom (and midlife anxieties) that come with age. Early critics have pointed out that the ensemble feels energized, not just nostalgic, which delivers some of the most genuinely warm moments in this iteration. 

The writers smartly position our legacy characters as mentors to a fresh cohort of interns. This dynamic initially feels overcrowded — the sheer number of new trainees makes depth elusive in these opening episodes — but it also opens narrative space for the older cast to shine in roles of seasoned guides. 

The signature blend of slapstick, surreal fantasy cutaways, and finely tuned emotional beats that once defined Scrubs is present … at times. There are stretches where the humor hits with the old gloss of absurdity — the kind that once made audiences laugh and think — and others where it feels broader and less precise. Particularly in Episode 1, the show overstuffed itself with introductions and set-ups, causing a few punchlines to land with a thud rather than a laugh. 

Some critics have noted that certain callbacks feel forced or overly reliant on nostalgia. But even in its imperfect moments, the series displays a self-awareness that keeps it from feeling purely exploitative of old goodwill. 

The core cast’s chemistry remains Scrubs’ greatest asset — Braff, Faison, and Chalke almost effortlessly recapture the rhythm of their earlier interplay. Their presence alone gives the revival a heart that’s harder for other ensemble comedies to fake. 

However, not all new elements land so deftly. The new interns — the influencer doctor, the cocky handsome resident, the idealistic newcomer — feel at times like stock sitcom archetypes rather than fully realized people. Secondary characters like workplace monitor Sibby and Charge Nurses have their moments, but some are so one-note that they barely outshine the stereotype they’re meant to lighten. 

Meanwhile, the absence — or limited use — of some original supporting characters (including sporadic appearances by Dr. Cox) has left portions of the fanbase feeling that this revival is not quite the ensemble they remember, but instead Scrubs Lite, carried predominantly by its leads. 

What Scrubs (2026) gets right is its emotional honesty. The show still finds authentic moments beneath the comedy — reflections on aging, mentorship, the absurd weight of hospital life, and the bittersweet feeling of returning home after a long time away. Critics from multiple outlets have characterized its early episodes as a heart-warming homecoming that feels like what the show might have grown into had it never left the airwaves.

Yet, as many of these early reviews make clear, the reboot isn’t flawless. Some of the glory days’ spark is dimmed by overly broad humor and an excess of characters that don’t all have the narrative weight they deserve. The show still needs more time — and perhaps a tighter writer’s room — to fully justify its existence beyond nostalgia.

Verdict

★★★½ out of ★★★★★

Scrubs (2026) is a promising, warmly nostalgic return — not quite classic, but still charming, sincere, and worth watching. The first four episodes remind us why we fell in love with Sacred Heart Hospital in the first place, even if the series hasn’t yet found its footing as something entirely new. Fans of the original will appreciate revisiting old hauntings, humor, and healing; newcomers will find enough heart and humor to stay engaged — even if the laughs don’t always land as sharply as they once did.