‘Scrubs’ Reveals Upsetting Reason Behind Dr. Cox’s Hospital Return

Scrubs may have been celebrating Halloween in its latest episode, but the installment also unveiled the return of Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) and the tragic reason behind it. Warning: Spoilers for Scrubs Season 2 Episode 6 ahead!

After it was announced that Dr. Cox would be back working alongside his mentee, J.D. (Zach Braff), in the upcoming Season 2 finale this December, the Halloween episode revealed the context. Dr. Cox popped up to help serve a VIP patient who was recovering from a kidney transplant.

The patient lied to Dr. Cox about taking his anti-rejection meds, though, and the source of his illness was uncovered because of it. Irritated over the deception and angered about having to put up with ridiculous requests, Dr. Cox confessed to J.D. that the reason he came back to work with patients was that he was drowning in medical debt amid treatments for his autoimmune disorder.

ABC

Despite his intention to retire and enjoy life, Dr. Cox decided that it was better to offset the exorbitant costs with work. What this means for Season 2’s remaining episodes remains to be seen, but we do know he’ll continue to pop up for the finale airing December 9.

But the storyline was an important examination of the effects of high medical costs on different people, especially a retired doctor who you’d expect would be able to subsidize his own bills. The predicament Dr. Cox found himself in is all too familiar in the current landscape and raised a larger question about the price of necessary care.

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While fans may want Dr. Cox to stick around for the sake of playing a role in the series, could the show be preparing an endgame where the character is able to find a more affordable form of treatment that allows for a retirement that he envisioned? Stay tuned to find out, and let us know what you thought of the reveal in the comments section below.

Scrubs, Season 2, Wednesdays, 8/7c, ABC