8.022 minSeason 6 • Episode 22
LatestCharlie and Caitlin are caught having sex on a surveillance camera in the Mayor's office and their secret affair is blown. Carter is finally granted a foster child, but is frustrated when he sees that Paul is better with the baby than he is - until the Mayor helps him tap into his paternal instincts.
Workaholic Mike Flaherty is the Deputy Mayor of New York City, serving as Mayor Randall Winston's key strategist and much-needed handler. Mike runs the city with the help of his oddball staff: an anxious and insecure press secretary; a sexist, boorish chief of staff; an impeccably groomed gay activist running minority affairs; a sharp and efficient, man-crazy accountant; and an idealistic young speechwriter. Like Mike, they are all professionally capable but personally challenged.
Acting
Michael J. Fox's comedic timing before and after Parkinson's reveal.
Writing
Bill Lawrence's pre-Scrubs dialogue machine at full speed.
Production
Seamless Sheen-era pivot that somehow didn't kill the show.
Creators
Bill Lawrence, Gary David Goldberg
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Michael J. Fox's 1998 Parkinson's disclosure episode drew 25 million viewers and remains one of television's most significant moments of vulnerability.
Bill Lawrence recycled Spin City's rhythm directly into Scrubs—notice the J.D./Turkel dynamic echoing Mike/Carter, and the same walk-and-talk energy.
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