Scrubs returned to ABC on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, with an episode that closed one of the show’s longest-running storylines. Titled “My Ex’s Ex,” the third episode of the revival’s second season brought back Scott Foley as Sean Kelly, the marine biologist who dated Elliot Reid on and off throughout the original series. The episode also put JD and Turk’s friendship under a microscope in a way the show has not done before.
JD Finally Lets Go of His Jealousy Toward Sean
JD (Zach Braff) was on a date with his new girlfriend Charlie (Rachel Bilson) at a local aquarium when he spotted Sean swimming in a tank filled with sharks. The two men talked through the glass, and Sean explained he was still working in marine biology. JD told Charlie that Sean was Elliot’s ex-boyfriend and admitted he felt guilty about sabotaging their relationship years ago.
In the past, JD had repeatedly interfered whenever Sean and Elliot got close. This time, he did the opposite. JD invited Sean to Sacred Heart Hospital to reconnect with Elliot. He even mimicked the sound of an angel choir as he brought Sean into the room, making a spectacle of the reunion.
MovieWeb noted that this moment marks the end of a storyline that began in 2002 during the original series’ first season. JD used his last clear chance to admit he still had feelings for Elliot, but he chose to encourage her and Sean instead. The site described it as JD finally moving past a jealousy that had lasted almost a quarter of a century.
Elliot Learns to Give Dating Another Shot
Elliot (Sarah Chalke) started the episode dating a pilot she met in the previous season. Carla (Judy Reyes) had already voiced her disapproval of the pilot, and Elliot finally saw the problem for herself when he sent a text asking whether the socks he was considering buying were the right shade of black. She broke up with him soon after.
When Sean arrived at the hospital, Elliot was not ready to date again. She told Carla:
“No, it took me forever to get it together after the divorce. Look, I just want to focus on taking the next big step in my career without getting distracted by a bunch of—”
That sentence was cut short when JD walked in with Sean. The two former partners agreed to have coffee in the hospital cafeteria, and the conversation turned awkward in a way that only Elliot can make endearing. Scott Foley told TV Insider that watching Sarah Chalke perform that scene was “immensely pleasurable” and called her “such a gifted physical comedian.”
Elliot showed up to their dinner in pajamas before ditching Sean entirely. Later, she visited him at the aquarium where he works, and the two shared a kiss. Foley explained why the connection still works:
“I think there’s some sort of unresolved emotional feelings there, and whatever has happened relationship-wise to Sean since he last saw Elliott, they both seem to be in a similar place in their lives with regards to relationships.”
JD and Turk Go to Couples Therapy
Turk (Donald Faison) and Carla were already attending couples therapy to work through their own problems. Turk spent long hours at the hospital and came home wanting to relax in front of the television instead of helping Carla with chores. Carla felt he had no time for her.
JD was feeling the same way about Turk, but for a different reason. He returned to Sacred Heart expecting to spend more time with his best friend, yet their interactions were brief and mostly about work. JD sat down on the other side of the therapist’s couch for what became a couples therapy session between two best friends.
The episode ended with JD admitting he was not happy with the state of his friendship with Turk. He wanted more from the relationship. NewsBreak reported that the next episode, titled “My Chief,” will explore a new divide between the two men. JD is now the Chief of Medicine at Sacred Heart, which means he is also Turk’s boss.
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Scott Foley Returns After 17 Years
Scott Foley last appeared as Sean in Season 8 of the original series, which aired in 2009. In that appearance, Sean was dating Dr. Kim Briggs, JD’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his son, Sam. The revival skipped over that storyline by design.
Foley told TV Insider that the show reached out to him the previous year, but he was busy and could not make the dates work. He said:
“I felt like I missed an opportunity to be back with these guys that I enjoy working with so much. So, when they reached out this time, we were able to make the dates work.”
The actor also shared his reaction to learning that Sean was still working in marine biology two decades later:
“The fact that it’s been 20 years or however long it’s been since we last saw Sean, and he’s still doing the same thing, albeit in a different location and not at SeaWorld anymore… I loved it.”
Foley appeared in 12 episodes of the original Scrubs between 2002 and 2009. His return in “My Ex’s Ex” brings that count to 13.
How to Watch Scrubs Season 2
New episodes of Scrubs air on ABC every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The episode runs for approximately 21 minutes. Viewers in the United States can stream new episodes on Hulu the day after they air. In the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other international markets, the series streams on Disney+.
The Scrubs revival stars Zach Braff as JD, Donald Faison as Turk, Sarah Chalke as Elliot, and Judy Reyes as Carla. John C. McGinley returns as Dr. Cox, and Neil Flynn returns as The Janitor. Rachel Bilson joined the cast as Charlie, JD’s new girlfriend.
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