Special review: Can and Able

Special is an acerbic, caustic and frank portrayal of a gay, disabled man and the narrative is complex. One feels for Ryan, when as an intern in a digital media house, he is unable to open the mail properly, earning him a comment of ‘who opened the mail, Edward Scissorhands?’ from his snarky boss or when he only wear slips shoes as tying laces is a monumental task. We are taken through his life decisions with snappy speed. He chooses to hide his CP from colleagues, move out of his mother’s house and form sexual relations for the first time, all in the first three episodes itself.

But Special doesn’t dwell on these soppy moments alone. It also throws a light on how people who are on fringes of society, too, can be hurtful and selfish. It also takes a strong stand on why disability should not be an excuse to treat other people badly. When Ryan finds out about Phil, his mother’s boyfriend, he walks off in a huff. Phil calls him out. “Oh he’s right, how dare you find happiness,” and when his mother offers the “he has CP” explanation, Phil soldiers on with “ So? People with CP can be as@!***s too”.

Special is packed with pop culture references — there are references to Gone Girl, Mindy Kaling and others. It’s witty and packed with one-liners but with 15-minute long episodes, one feels a bit short-changed. Some more screen time and backstories of the supporting characters would have been nice. We would have liked to see more of Kim, a plus-sized brown girl, who befriends Ryan at work.

The season ends with a big blowout between Ryan and his mother, with the word codependence being thrown about with zero caution. But it’s heartening to see a flawed, gay, disabled character, who makes no extra effort to redeem himself. Watch because perfection is passe, and flaws are here to stay.