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Season 2 – Special

Play trailer 2:13 Poster for Season 2 – Special May 2021 LGBTQ+ Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Actor-writer Ryan O'Connell stars in this semi-autobiographical series based on his memoir. He plays Ryan, a gay man with cerebral palsy who decides to do away with his identity as an accident victim and go after the life that he wants. After years of dead-end internships, blogging in his pajamas and mainly communicating through text, Ryan figures out how to take his life from bleak to chic as he gets ready to start limping toward adulthood. O'Connell serves as an executive producer on the comedy series, along with "The Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons.
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Special — Season 2

Critics Reviews

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Caroline Framke Variety 05/25/2021
Giving a character such as Ryan the chance to evolve beyond his own version of "coming out" means giving him a chance to live a life onscreen in a way he couldn't before. Go to Full Review
John Doyle Globe and Mail 05/25/2021
The series is devilishly funny and madcap with two strands of fun intertwined. Go to Full Review
Gary M. Kramer Gay City News 10/03/2022
The show’s heart is in the absolute right place, and viewers will appreciate the sensitivity O’Connell uses in discussing the issues around disability, sexuality, and inequality. Go to Full Review
Michael Cuby them. 09/27/2022
...the show also digs deeper than season one, as Ryan is forced to contend with matters of fetishization, all while trying to figure out whether he wants to be acknowledged as a disabled person or have his disability ignored by those around him. Go to Full Review
Molly Catherine Turner Culturess 06/01/2021
Special has that perfect mix of belly-aching laughs and melancholy heartbreak that will make you rewatch over and over. Go to Full Review
Valerie Ettenhofer Film School Rejects 05/25/2021
By discussing the problem of tokenism and then elegantly answering it with the inclusion of complex, multi-dimensional characters, Special takes vital strides in authentic on-screen representation. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 May 26 LOL, 8 funny final episodes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Peter K @Vacadoug 10/11/2023 Much, much better than the first season: we finally get more insights on the back stories of many of the characters. This season builds on longer episodes and more detailed nuances. Ryan gets more comfortable in his lead role, Jessica Hecht's and Punam Patel's performances take flight and that lift's the whole season. Some big surprises here! Olivia's wedding scene was LOL hilarious! See more tom m 01/09/2022 Seasons 1-2. Interesting and entertaining. I'd recommend it. Season 1 has 8 15-minute episodes. Season 2 has 8 30-minute episodes. So a relative quick watch. I'd watch another season if/when it becomes available. See more 10/25/2021 Special is still one of my top 5 favorite shows I've ever watched and I am just extremely disappointed that is was cancelled but was happy with the way it ended. The writing was exceptional; once again the show perfectly blended the hilarious comedy with beautiful as well as heartwrenching deeper moments. The character development was phenomenal especially with Ryan, Karen, and Kim. The performances were outstanding especially from Ryan O'Connell, Punam Patel, Jessica Hecht, Max Jenkins, Lauren Weedman, Buck Andrews, Marla Mindelle, Danielle Perez, Nicole Lynn Evans, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Leslie Jordan, Gina Hughes, Heather Wynters, Karan Soni, Anjali Bhimani, and Ajay Mehta. The chemistry between Ryan and Punam once again was hilarious and very sweet and the chemistry between Ryan and Jessica was great again very authentic and touching. This 2nd and final season of Special was an A+ and I'll say it again that I love seeing more authentic representation of people with disabilities and people who are gay being represented by people who have a disability and who are gay; I'm really gonna miss this show. See more johann m @Johann33 06/14/2021 Genuine!! 🏳️‍🌈 This short TV show follows Ryan O'Connell who also stars in this semi-autobiographical series based on his own memoir "I'm Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves". He plays Ryan, a gay man with mild cerebral palsy who decides to do away with his identity as an accident victim in hopes of finally going after the life that he wants. It is incredibly funny and full of heart, at the same time it accurately shows the challenges of having a diability in everyday life and highlights the fact that his dramatic experiences are exactly just like our own and reveal an interesting character growth. See more 05/22/2021 I really felt bad for Tanner, made me not care for the main character so much. Otherwise Kim made me keep watching. I loved her character. Otherwise it was just ok for me not great. See more Read all reviews
Special — Season 2

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 20, 2021 One Day Stand A night out leads Ryan to an exciting but complicated new connection; as Karen yearns for reconciliation with her son, Kim questions their dynamic. Details Episode 2 Aired May 20, 2021 I Don't Like It Like This As Ryan and Kim try to unpack their respective situations, Ryan's romance develops an unexpected new wrinkle; Karen catches up with an old friend. Details Episode 3 Aired May 20, 2021 That's the Way the Boys Are On the night of Kim's birthday party, she and Ryan find themselves at a crossroads; Karen bonds with Phil's new flame, but things quickly turn awkward. Details Episode 4 Aired May 20, 2021 Death by a Thousand Cold Cuts A big loss exposes fissures in Ryan and Karen's relationship, and Karen goes out looking for comfort. Details Episode 5 Aired May 20, 2021 Ryan Joins the Crips Ryan explores a new romantic opportunity but is caught off guard by a dilemma; Karen is forced to move back in with her parents. Details Episode 6 Aired May 20, 2021 Prom Queens Tensions simmer as Kim's family celebrates Diwali; things get awkward at the Crips Prom between Ryan's new friends and his date. Details Episode 7 Aired May 20, 2021 Why Is No One Ready? A weekend getaway proves anything but relaxing for Ryan and Tanner; Karen takes a trip; Kim and Ravi examine their relationship. Details Episode 8 Aired May 20, 2021 Here's Where the Story Ends As Olivia's wedding arrives, Ryan, Kim and Karen find themselves facing tough changes but also discovering opportunities that may be truly special. Details
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Season Info

Executive Producer
Ryan O'Connell, Jim Parsons, Eric Norsoph, Todd Spiewak, Anna Dokoza
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
LGBTQ+, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 20, 2021
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