A clutch of episodes in the first half of Scrubs fifth season are graced by the presence of Michael Learned as Patricia Wilk; an elderly patient who is discovered to have systemic amyloidosis. Over the course of her stay at the hospital, she connects with seemingly every member of the Sacred Heart medical staff, and manages to unite those she comes into contact with through the sheer goodness of her heart. Mrs. Wilk affects the lives of her doctors in a variety of ways, utilising the skills and talents she has accumulated across a rich life (which shed like to continue, by the way) to guide them through their own experiences. The episode My Cabbage in particular showcases the ways in which she touches the lives of those around her, most chiefly Turk, whom she teaches how to pop and lock properly. Imparting such wisdom pretty much says it all about Mrs. Wilks quality of life, and is a fine demonstration of how her character balances poignancy with a gleeful joie de vivre. Mrs. Wilk spent her life using death as a motivator, rather than seeing it as something to be afraid of. And yet, when she is forced to confront her own morality after contracting an infection from the inept intern Jason Cabbagio, she goes through the same five stage process as everybody else. Her experience offers a flipside to that of Mrs. Tanner from My Old Lady; someone who is much more vulnerable than her outward confidence implies, giving her final episode an emotional weight which is touchingly understated. Best Line: Youre not extending your arm. Its called pop and lock, Christopher, not pop and dangle.
Film and Literature student, keen bloggist, and aficionado of most things music, film, and TV. I've also been told I should stop quoting pop-culture as often as I do in everyday conversations.
