Character Relationship Map: The Special

Characters

• Mike (played by Dave Sheridan) — protagonist

  Mike encourages Jerry to retaliate against his partner's suspected infidelity. He takes Jerry to Madame Zhora's establishment for the mysterious Special, warns him that the experience is addictive, an...

• Lisa (played by Sarah French) — protagonist

  Lisa is Jerry's partner. She tells him that she is pregnant and later says that she has miscarried, intensifying the strain in their relationship. Her text messages with a man at a shopping center lea...

• Madame Zhora (played by Susan Moses) — supporting

  Madame Zhora runs an establishment that appears to be a psychic parlor operating as a front for a brothel. After Jerry experiences the Special there, she is found dead upstairs, and foul play is suspe...

• Jerry (played by Davy Raphaely) — supporting

  Jerry is the central character, troubled by the possibility that Lisa cheated on him. After being taken to Madame Zhora's establishment, he submits to the mysterious Special and becomes deeply disturb...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Jerry → Madame Zhora (Professional Client And Proprietor) — Jerry's experience at Madame Zhora's establishment is followed by her death, a connection that later concerns Mike.

  Mike takes Jerry to Madame Zhora's establishment, where Jerry eventually submits to the Special. Afterward, Madame Zhora is found dead upstairs, and f...

• Jerry → Lisa (Romantic Partners In Crisis) — Their partnership is strained by suspicion, Jerry's secret, and Lisa's pregnancy and reported miscarriage.

  Jerry is troubled by the possibility that Lisa cheated on him, and he later tries to repair their relationship. Lisa tells him she is pregnant and lat...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Mike → Madame Zhora (Unknown Associate In A Suspicious Situation) — Mike's role in bringing Jerry to the establishment and his later offer to help conceal possible involvement link him to the situation surrounding Madame Zhora's death.

  Mike takes Jerry to Madame Zhora's establishment and later refers to a mysterious condition connected with her. After her death is reported, Mike offe...

• Mike → Jerry (Social Influencer And Confidant) — Mike steers Jerry toward the Special and remains involved as Jerry becomes frightened by its consequences.

  Mike urges Jerry to retaliate after learning Lisa may have cheated, takes him to Madame Zhora's establishment, and later tells him to forget the Speci...

Story Analysis

A troubled relationship leads Jerry into a mysterious experience whose aftermath deepens his secrecy, fear, and uncertainty.

Plot Progression

1. Suspicion and the Temptation — Jerry is troubled by the possibility that Lisa has cheated. Mike urges retaliation and offers the mysterious Special as an alternative to ordinary revenge.
2. The Unclear Experience — Mike takes Jerry to Madame Zhora's establishment and obscures the route. Jerry submits to the Special, whose details remain unclear, and emerges deeply disturbed.
3. Secrets and Uncertain Trust — Jerry tries to restore normal life with Lisa, but her pregnancy and the question of his sleep-talking alarm him. Messages about a snowblower salesman leave the suspected infidelity unresolved, while J...
4. Death and Physical Fear — Madame Zhora is found dead, with foul play suspected. Jerry develops a spreading painful rash, receives ointment, and remains evasive about its cause; Lisa later reports a miscarriage.
5. An Unresolved Homecoming — Jerry's desperation grows, and he buys bolt cutters. He returns home to a disturbing situation and cannot find Lisa; Mike arrives and offers to help conceal possible involvement in Madame Zhora's deat...