Special is a low-commitment show with big ideas

Special is Netflix’s first 15-minute-episode sitcom, and its eight instalments can be consumed in a single sitting. It doesn’t ask much of your time, but it does ask you to reassess your ideas about conventional narratives, stars, and depictions of both romance between older people, and sex between gay ones.

For starters, there’s Special’s unlikely protagonist Ryan Hayes (Ryan O’Connell), a late 20-something gay man with cerebral palsy (which might be some sort of Hollywood reverse triple threat) coming to terms with both his sexuality and – more pressingly – his disability.

O’Connell not only stars but is also the show’s writer and creator. Though Special marks his first time in front of the camera, O’Connell has previously written for Will & Grace and MTV’s Awkward, and he’s part of the writing team for the in-progress reboot of 90210. So while he’s new to the spotlight, he’s well-versed in the medium.

The usual suspects

Special is heavily autobiographic, and focuses on Ryan’s efforts to get a job, stop living with his mother, and find if not true love, then at least some casual romance. Things start to come together when Ryan gets an internship at a confessional-blogging outlet called Eggwoke, that’s none-too-subtly modelled on the real-world website, Thought Catalog.

As in O’Connell’s real life, in his on-screen one he gets hit by a car and uses it as an excuse for his limp and other physical quirks, rather than telling his colleagues he has CP. It’s Special’s deft handling of not just society’s attitudes to disabilities, but the way those afflicted by them respond, too, that makes this one worth a watch.

Also, the dialogue has moments of comedic brilliance. Many of the snarkiest and funniest comments come from two of Ryan’s colleagues at Eggwoke. First, there’s Ryan’s boss, the spectacularly dreadful Olivia (Marla Mindelle). Olivia’s the sort of person who doesn’t think twice about exploiting her employees’ personal traumas for clicks, and who sings happy birthday to herself because no one else’s rendition will be up to scratch.

Then there’s Ryan’s work wife – and Eggwoke’s star writer – Kim (the vivacious Punam Patel), who’s a delight to watch and who gets many of the shows standout lines, even if some of them are a little too self-consciously wrapped in millennial slang. If you’ve ever watched Will & Grace you’ll have a sense of what to expect from her and Ryan’s repartee.

Bing is not a thing

In addition to tackling issues like body and disability positivity, sex work, and the narcissism of modern life, Special has a heart-warming subplot about a blossoming romance between Ryan’s mother Karen (Jessica Hecht) and their new neighbour Phil (Patrick Fabian).

While Special might be a little obvious at times, the only really jarring thing about it comes from the enthusiastic placement of Microsoft products. Seeing characters use Microsoft Surface desktops, laptops and tablets is tolerable, but also seeing them use the Bing search engine and uttering “Hey Cortana” is a suspension-of-disbelief step too far.

Normal is the new special

With its frequent cringe-inducing moments of awkwardness, Special reminds us that life is awkward and that anyone who claims to have it all worked out is almost certainly lying. But it also drives home the point that for those considered “special”, the most special thing of all would be getting treated like everyone else.

Ryan O’Connell can’t possibly be expected to speak for all disabled people through Ryan Hayes, but it’s reassuring seeing him being given a platform in an industry that usually doesn’t even notice people like him.

More importantly, though, he’s managed to produce an entertaining and satisfying snippet of pop culture that’s well worth two hours of your time.

Here’s hoping there’s a season two… and that maybe the purse-string holders will see fit to extend the episodes to half an hour. Because Special’s story needs telling, but it could do with more fat on its bones. Moreover, there’s so much eye-candy to be had we could all do with a little more indulgence.