Netflix’s 2019 series Special is a comedy series that narrates both an LGBT theme and the struggle of an individual living with cerebral palsy holding on to life. Sometimes I will say it is possible to catch even dark humor in the series, but the series is already built on “dark humor”. The series is Ryan O’Connell’s true life story; in other words, an autobiographical production.
With its short episodes (each about 15 minutes), it was a series that could be easily watched in one sitting. Ryan’s story narrates the struggle he experiences with both society as a gay individual and with his physical boundaries by “making fun of life”. I had liked this theme.
Sometimes people laugh at their pitiful state; this series is right at that dose. The biographical character of the series also makes one say “this man has truly lived through these things”. I liked that the series is not a romance series, but rather a queer series. LGBT series with queer weight and subtext are always my preference.
👉 Curator Recommendation: LGBT series worth watching
Special (2019) Plot and Review
At the center of the series is Ryan, who lives with cerebral palsy and is also a gay individual. Ryan’s life turns into a small and dark comedy. The plot begins with an accident. This is a funny accident, but afterward, a story of “personal awakening” begins. Now he wants to stop living in the shadow of others, move into his own apartment, start a job, and find a boyfriend.
Ryan plans to do something to go beyond coping with his disability and embrace his identity. In my opinion, this is the strongest side of the series: holding on to life as a disabled individual is added to the difficulty of being gay. But this step is not easy at all; Ryan practically goes on a walk on a thorny path.
His crazy boss and sincere coworker Kim, whom he meets when he starts his new job as an intern, expand his world. Professional life brings him not only new people, but also diverse characters. In my opinion, the other important topic in the series was the theme of getting to know life through the people he establishes relationships with. Isn’t the easiest way to know life and people mingling among the crowd? But Ryan cannot break this loneliness. Actually, the reason for this loneliness is not being a gay and disabled individual either; it is the fragility of modern culture and human relationships. At least, I read the series a bit like this. Even if he throws parties where no one comes, Ryan now learns to celebrate not his loneliness, but his own existence. Every day, he bravely reconstructs himself despite the discriminations he goes through. Isn’t the important thing anyway for humans to learn to “bring themselves into existence”?
The strongest side of the series lies right here: behind Ryan’s smile, there is a resistance. As both a disabled and gay individual, he confronts society’s double standards, and instead of giving up, he uses humor like a weapon. Humor is practically like something sprung out of Camus’s philosophy of the absurd. He actually makes fun of the negatives of existence, not his own personality and gay identity. You know how there is that theme of “thrownness into the world” in philosophy; Ryan practically makes fun of this “thrownness”. Actually, not only LGBT individuals, but all of humanity is left alone with their own existence in life. The lack of a “gay love” theme in the series is very good. Because there is a topic more important than love, and that is: the story of “the existence of a disabled gay individual in a society where hate increases”.
I loved the series. Because it has a story from within life. It does not take place in an idealized, sterile universe; it is a story right next to us. It was a good experience for me. One of the Netflix productions that I watched and that took place in my memory. The reason for divisions, fights, homophobia, and all kinds of similar hatred actually stems from seeing ourselves as superior instead of understanding the other. Ryan practically challenges this superiority.
LGBT Individuals and Empathy
Special aims to make visible not only a life story, but at the same time all identities pushed outside the system. It is a production slightly outside the usual topics of cliché socially themed queer productions. At least, it practically presents an “ethics” to its audience. For an ethical life, “empathy” is truly important. I must also add that the barrier is actually not physical; the barrier is in people’s thoughts. Change must begin in our thoughts.
When physical difficulties like cerebral palsy combine with sexual orientations that society ignores, Ryan’s story felt very sincere to me. We must sustain our existence with empathy, acceptance, and a shared life. Barriers are actually in our emotions. Love, solidarity, and self-confidence overcome all difficulties. Truly, when we look at disabled people and everyone we see as the other in life by empathizing anew and understanding, the chaos in life will end as well. Ryan having the energy to end both his inner chaos and the chaos around him was like a hope within dark humor.
In the end, Special is not only a comedy series; it is pure, unidealized reality coming from within life. I can say Ryan’s story is a “struggle to be oneself”. And this struggle begins with making fun of the absurd. Saying “I can overcome all difficulties”; sometimes with great seriousness and effort, we must live by lightening prejudices, societal and physical barriers with the absurd. In spite of society’s prejudices, it reveals that the lives of both disabled and LGBT individuals can also be valuable, dignified, and joyful. Special is actually not just an LGBT series, but a production where everyone will find a piece of themselves. Let me not exaggerate too much, of course! It was a beautiful series. It was a good experience for me. One of the beautiful productions in my memory.
Final Commentary
If the important thing is to step out of the dream world and see the truths, watch this series. While societal prejudices are addressed through Ryan’s friend circle, love life, and personal development, you will also love the sincere tone of the series. This is all I will write about the series, which offers an enjoyable viewing especially for young adult viewers with its short episodes and fluent narration. I don’t want to prolong it further. The series is comedy-weighted, no need for drama. Isn’t it actually our perspective that turns life into a “drama” anyway?
Watch the 2-season, 16-episode series if you truly want to watch something good. One doesn’t even need to be gay to watch the series! Wanting to touch life and differences is enough. Ryan’s search for independence and his persistence to hold on to life, his courage, is worth watching. We all must gain this courage.
A Mini LGBT and Life Manifesto
Finally, I must say that what gives meaning to life and our entire reality consists merely of the reality produced by the electro-chemicals inside our brain. Assuming the simulations in our minds to be real and humiliating another, looking down on LGBT individuals means a person does not understand their own brain. We must focus on living together in a multiple reality, not an absolute reality and truth.
