Grief counseling is offered to Mrs. Wilk, whose condition has worsened considerably. As she comes to accept her fate with help from a quirky therapist, J.D. and Dr. Cox surprisingly turn to each other for support as they face losing their favorite patient. Elsewhere, Ted and the Janitor team up to give bitter Kelso a taste of his own medicine, and Elliot's relationship with Keith changes.
- Butt-Monkey: Ted's listening to the radio and has won a contest, but he can't call in and claim the prize because he gets buried in the sand JD and Cox put on the roof so they could take Mrs Wilk to the beach.
- Call-Back: Elliot once again wants to play the orchard owner and the apple thief.
- Five Stages of Grief: The episode title. The grief counselor says that Mrs. Wilk go through all five stages. Instead it's Cox who goes through all five stages.
