Home > Special > Season 1 « TV Series Page Special: Season 1 (2019) Episode List All Critics | Top Critics TOMATOMETER 94% Average Rating: 7.17/10 Season Reviews: 18 Fresh: 17 Rotten: 1 Critics Consensus: Honest and genuinely affecting, Special lives up to its name with a funny -- if a bit too concise -- first season brightened by Ryan O'Connell's infectious charms. 100% Average Rating: 7.0/10 Season Reviews: 8 Fresh: 8 Rotten: 0 Critics Consensus: No consensus yet. Critic Consensus: Honest and genuinely affecting, Special lives up to its name with a funny -- if a bit too concise -- first season brightened by Ryan O'Connell's infectious charms. AUDIENCE SCORE 89% Average Rating: 4.5/5 User Ratings: 101 + WANT TO SEE Share on Facebook Post Want to See Add Rating My Rating × Want to See Post Share on Facebook Episodes 1 Chapter One: Cerebral LOLzy Air date: Apr 12, 2019 In the wake of being hit by a car, Ryan begins a coveted internship and finds an opportunity to redefine himself based on his recent run-in. More 2 Chapter Two: The Deep End Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Kim encourages a daunted Ryan to be more comfortable with his body at Olivia's pool party, where they both make some surprising new friends. More 3 Chapter Three: Free Scones Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Karen reluctantly agrees to help Ryan find an apartment while Kim eagerly volunteers to help him check another big milestone off his list. More 4 Chapter Four: Housechilling Party Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Ryan's underwhelming attempt at a housewarming party leads to a bonding session with Kim. Karen's nest doesn't stay empty for long. More 5 Chapter Five: Vagina Momologues Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Karen's shopping trip is cut short as she tends to pressing matters for her mother and Ryan, fueling frustrations with her role as dual-caregiver. More 6 Chapter Six: Straight Potential Air date: Apr 12, 2019 While Ryan attends a dudes' poker night, Karen lets loose with Phil at home, basking in her affection for him -- and for grilled cheese. More 7 Chapter Seven: Blind Deaf Date Air date: Apr 12, 2019 An unconventional blind date leads Ryan to examine his own biases and insecurities. Friction develops in Karen and Phil's burgeoning romance. More 8 Chapter Eight: Gay Gardens Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Conflicted by how he's being defined, Ryan decides to come clean at work and with his friends. But focusing on himself leaves Karen feeling left out. More Tv Season Info A young gay man with cerebral palsy branches out from his insular existence in hopes of finally going after the life he wants. Genre: Comedy Network: Netflix Premiere Date: Apr 12, 2019 Cast Ryan O'Connell as Ryan Jessica Hecht as Karen Punam Patel as Kim Marla Mindelle as Olivia Augustus Prew as Carey Samantha Lee as Bonnie Gina Hughes as Samantha Show More Cast News & Interviews for Special: Season 1 2019 TV Premiere Dates Calendar View All Special: Season 1 News Episodes 1 Chapter One: Cerebral LOLzy Air date: Apr 12, 2019 In the wake of being hit by a car, Ryan begins a coveted internship and finds an opportunity to redefine himself based on his recent run-in. More 2 Chapter Two: The Deep End Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Kim encourages a daunted Ryan to be more comfortable with his body at Olivia's pool party, where they both make some surprising new friends. More 3 Chapter Three: Free Scones Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Karen reluctantly agrees to help Ryan find an apartment while Kim eagerly volunteers to help him check another big milestone off his list. More 4 Chapter Four: Housechilling Party Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Ryan's underwhelming attempt at a housewarming party leads to a bonding session with Kim. Karen's nest doesn't stay empty for long. More 5 Chapter Five: Vagina Momologues Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Karen's shopping trip is cut short as she tends to pressing matters for her mother and Ryan, fueling frustrations with her role as dual-caregiver. More 6 Chapter Six: Straight Potential Air date: Apr 12, 2019 While Ryan attends a dudes' poker night, Karen lets loose with Phil at home, basking in her affection for him -- and for grilled cheese. More 7 Chapter Seven: Blind Deaf Date Air date: Apr 12, 2019 An unconventional blind date leads Ryan to examine his own biases and insecurities. Friction develops in Karen and Phil's burgeoning romance. More 8 Chapter Eight: Gay Gardens Air date: Apr 12, 2019 Conflicted by how he's being defined, Ryan decides to come clean at work and with his friends. But focusing on himself leaves Karen feeling left out. More Critic Reviews for Special Season 1 All Critics (18) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (1) Feels like a finely-tuned, precision-crafted Web series, with potent little zingers stitched into every exchange - along with the occasional sledgehammer. Apr 22, 2019 | Full Review… Michael Andor Brodeur Boston Globe Top Critic Special feels real and lived-in because it's O'Connell's voice and experiences - which is why it's so refreshing, honest and never self-pitying or condescending. Apr 21, 2019 | Full Review… Wenlei Ma News.com.au Top Critic Its appealing length is a sign of much-appreciated self-awareness, as "Special" needs some time to hone its delivery and find more storytelling confidence, but there's more than enough in Ryan O'Connell's new series to make it the right kind of notable. Apr 17, 2019 | Rating: B- | Full Review… Ben Travers indieWire Top Critic Though the series and character sometimes verge on being too sweet, there is an unimpeachable emotional realism here... May 3, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Alison de Souza The Straits Times (Singapore) It's very light, there's nothing sad or disturbing about it. It's light, and it's sweet, and it gives you a slice of the gay community you usually don't get to see. May 3, 2019 | Full Review… Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez Tom & Lorenzo The 15-minute episodes are an easy binge and the two lead characters...are often a hoot even if some of the secondary characters (a witch-on-wheels boss, in particular) and situations undercut the show's attempts at realism. May 2, 2019 | Full Review… Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Biting but warm comedy skewers millennial life, disability. Apr 23, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Polly Conway Common Sense Media 'Special' is a window to the influence of language on our environment, our thoughts, our bodies, our ideals and our reality. It is not about accepting oneself. It is about showing oneself as it is. (Full Review in Spanish) Apr 23, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Guillem Martinez Oya Cinematismo The series, based on O'Connell's own life, writings and a podcast, is devilishly funny and madcap. Apr 22, 2019 | Full Review… John Doyle Globe and Mail Top Critic If you stick it out through the end, eight episodes in all-easily done, on account of their affable tone and agreeably modest fifteen-minute running time-you will encounter some savory self-knowledge to cut the sweet cheer. Apr 19, 2019 | Full Review… Troy Patterson New Yorker Top Critic View All Critic Reviews (18) Audience Reviews for Special: Season 1 There are no featured audience reviews yet. 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