Ep 15. My Tormented Mentor

In the season 3 episode 15 of Scrubs titled "My Tormented Mentor," J.D. starts his surgical rotation and is assigned to Dr. Kelso, whom he famously hates. One of Kelso's patients, Mrs. Tanner, develops complications post-surgery and requires a re-operation. J.D. is tasked with informing the patient and her family, but Kelso takes over and uses the opportunity to push his own agenda.

Meanwhile, Elliot and Carla are battling each other to become the first intern to deliver a baby. However, when Turk gets a chance to deliver a baby, both women end up in a competition to assist him. Turk tries to keep the peace between them, but their antics threaten to ruin his big moment.

Dr. Cox is struggling with the death of a patient and the pressure from his boss to increase his patient satisfaction scores. He turns to Dr. Kelso for advice, but Kelso is unreceptive and unsympathetic. Instead, Kelso assigns Cox to mentor Doug, the accident-prone intern, as a way to distract him from his emotions.

Throughout the episode, J.D. wrestles with his feelings about Dr. Kelso. He is forced to confront his own biases and beliefs about the chief of medicine as he watches Kelso make questionable decisions and act in ways that J.D. deems unprofessional. As J.D. becomes more frustrated with Kelso, he finds himself bonding with Mrs. Tanner, who is also unhappy with her treatment.

In the end, J.D. learns an important lesson about his own prejudices and how to work with someone he dislikes. Elliot and Carla mend their friendship and Turk has a successful delivery, thanks to the support of his friends. Dr. Cox continues to struggle with his emotions, but finds some solace in helping Doug become a better doctor.

"My Tormented Mentor" is a poignant and humorous episode that tackles serious issues such as bias, mentorship, and patient care. The characters are relatable and their struggles are universal, making for a relatable and engaging viewing experience. With its clever writing and solid performances, Scrubs continues to be a fan-favorite and a classic sitcom.