It's time for new interns to take their place at Sacred Heart, and for the doctors to decide on mentoring. Dr. Cox takes issue with Ed, who seems too laidback for a doctor, while Elliott sees herself in Katie, and J.D. finds Denise super cool.
Tropes in this episode:
- Brilliant, but Lazy: Ed is the only intern not scared of Dr. Cox. Dr. Cox figures out why: Ed is lazy and feels he doesn't need to win Dr. Cox's approval. Ed cheerfully responds that's true, and he's fine with coasting on his smarts. Dr. Cox says he'll be there when Ed can no longer do that.
- Covert Pervert: Elmo starts fondling Denise a bit too much for J.D.'s liking. When told to take it easy, Elmo retorts, "What? She's your woman?!"
- Dark Reprise: There's one of the Sesame Street theme song, as the father passes away in front of J.D., his wife, and child. J.D. then ruminates how Sesame Street never gets old because the lessons it teaches are immortal.
- Crossover: J.D. has several daydreams with Sesame Street characters, including Oscar, Grover, and Elmo.
- Funny X-Ray: J.D. fantasizes about the Muppet cast of Sesame Street joining the staff at the hospital. During his fantasy, he must inform a patient named Ex Ray (also a Muppet) that Ex Ray's X-rays show there is a human hand inside his head
. According to Ex Ray, "This explains so many things." - Jerkass Realization: Denise makes an offhand remark about how the father didn't last long after he passes on in his sleep. Then she sees that J.D. is crying, makes a quip, and excuses herself with a guilty look.
- Manipulative Bitch: Katie poses as a Shrinking Violet to win Elliott over to her side and coerce a desired medical slot out of Turk. Elliott is shocked when Turk reveals Katie was the first who signed up for the slot, and later when Katie gloats that she has "Dr. Reed" wrapped around her finger.
- Manly Tears: JD stares at a boy who just lost his father and cries, remembering his own father, who he never got to say goodbye to.
- Mood Whiplash: The episode is overall is lighthearted with the diagnoses and J.D.'s fantasies. Then we get to the scene where Denise convinces a cancer patient's wife to sign a DNR order, and J.D. can't help but cry with the mother as he advises her to get her son, so that he can say goodbye to his father.
- This Explains So Much: The orange Muppet says this when J.D. explains he has a hand inside of him.
