Scrubs Season 10 Features Odd Janitor Dilemma with Effective Solutions

As the excitement grows for the anticipated Scrubs season 10 revival, viewers are left wondering about the cast’s returning members. It seems likely that Neil Flynn’s beloved character, the Janitor, will reprise his role. However, this return may not be without complications. Throughout the series, the Janitor transitioned from being a mere figment of J.D.’s imagination in Season 1 to an integral part of the show, appearing in all nine seasons, although his role in Season 9 was reduced to a brief cameo meant to explain his departure. His presence is essential for the revival to capture the charm and humorous essence of the original series.

In the lead-up to this revival, various cast and crew members have expressed enthusiasm about reuniting. While Bill Lawrence, the outgoing showrunner, has indicated that Season 10 will introduce new characters, fans are hopeful for a near-complete reunion of the original cast. This combination of old and new characters undoubtedly raises excitement among the show’s loyal audience. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that Season 10 will bring several changes, partly influenced by the Janitor’s story arc ending in the Season 8 finale.

The Janitor’s True Identity Revealed

Neil Flynn’s Character is Glenn Matthews

The Janitor’s true name has long been one of the show’s intriguing mysteries. Known for a myriad of humorous aliases, such as Dr. Jan Itor, his true identity remained a secret until the Season 8 finale when he disclosed to J.D. (played by Zach Braff) that his name is “Glenn Matthews.”Even though this revelation might seem to fit the Janitor’s pattern of deception, the show creator confirmed years ago that he was sincere when he shared his name with J.D.

JANITOR’S NAME WAS GLENN MATTHEWS. He told truth to J.D. for once. — Bill Lawrence (@VDOOZER) April 6, 2011

Although it was more entertaining to speculate whether or not the Janitor was lying about his name, this revelation humanized him significantly, especially in the penultimate season when he got married and exhibited more relatable behaviors. Perhaps the intention behind divulging his real name was to provide closure to his character’s journey.

The Impacts of Name Revelation on Season 10

Why Season 10 Might Feel Strange

Throughout the original run of Scrubs, the Janitor was famously known by an array of nicknames primarily related to his towering stature and profession. However, much to fans’ surprise, J.D. was the only character who ever addressed him as “Glenn”when this name was finally revealed. As a result, if characters begin to call him “Glenn”or even “Mr. Matthews”in the revival, it could feel jarring for long-time viewers.

Although the show eventually portrayed the Janitor in a more relatable light, it may feel out of character to use a mundane name like “Glenn.”With the revival on the horizon, how the characters adapt to this name change will be interesting to see, especially considering their long-standing perceptions of the Janitor.

Addressing the Name Issue: An Opportunity Exists

J.D. and His Forgetful Nature

Neil Flynn as the Janitor with a furrowed brow

In the Series Finale, J.D. admits that he doesn’t really retain the Janitor’s name. Following their conversation, when he tries to bid farewell using this name, he promptly forgets it and requests a reminder. The Janitor humorously rationalizes this by stating, “People don’t want to know a janitor’s name.”This quip adds a layer of humor while underscoring the character’s identity, highlighting how little it mattered to others.

Since the Janitor never publicly revealed his name to anyone else, Scrubs has conveniently crafted a way to sidestep the issue of characters using “Glenn”in conversations. J.D. forgets the name almost instantly, which paves the way for the revival to continue addressing the character as simply ‘the Janitor.’ Especially if it turns out this is the first reunion between them since that pivotal moment in “My Finale,”it’s likely that no one else, including J.D., will refer to him as “Glenn.”

Source & Images