I'd like to think of it as a spinoff. The season 8 finale was just the perfect way to end things, and if season 9 is part of the show that really just craps all over it. It is somewhat entertaining in its own right if seen as a spinoff, though.
shareSeason 8 finale is perfect, forget season 9
shareI view it as a spinoff. Season's 8 finale served as the true series finale. Season 9 doesn't hold a candle to the rest of the series but it has its moments
share"Season 9? What are you talking about? There was no season 9." is how I view season 9.
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I'm leaving you, Jerry. I'm leaving you - and I'm taking the monkey with me.
I definitely view it as a spinoff. It even says [Med School] in the opening credits. Season 8 ended perfectly!
shareI think of season 9 as an epilogue or a reunion. The story ended with season 8, but if the urge takes me to see what the're up to later, I'll watch a little 9.
shareYou can't call it a spinoff if the new characters still have to share screen time with the star of the show for the previous 8 years (not to mention his inner monologues). A real spinoff with just one or two of the supporting characters from the old cast might have worked, but instead we get J.D. butting in and overshadowing the new characters with the same old J.D. antics that we'd had more than our fill of (and I say that as a fan of the show). It's pathetic watching him still pine for Dr. Cox's affection, especially after he heard Cox express his true (and highly complimentary) feelings about him (when he thought J.D. wasn't in the room) in My Finale. That finale was so perfect, and yet Zach Braff (or meddling executives) couldn't heed the showbiz saying, "Leave 'em wanting more." I'm four episodes into season 9 and all I can think is, Dr. John Dorian will you please. go. NOW. Not that the new cast of medical students is very impressive, well except maybe for the guy who plays Drew.
Must dash. I forgot to feed my wombat.