Ep 17. S-U-R-- Surprise

Maya DiMeo, played by Minnie Driver, is an overbearing mother who is determined to provide her son, JJ, who has cerebral palsy, access to the same opportunities as his siblings. In this episode of Speechless, Maya is attempting to throw a surprise party for JJ's sixteenth birthday. However, she is struggling to keep it a secret from him despite enlisting the help of her other children, Ray and Dylan.

Maya is determined to make the party perfect for JJ, who has always felt left out due to his special needs. She insists on every detail being perfect and becomes overwhelmed when things don't go according to plan. Meanwhile, JJ is dealing with his own struggles as he comes to terms with turning sixteen and the limitations that his cerebral palsy has placed on him.

The family also faces some unexpected challenges when they discover that Ray has been texting a girl at school who turns out to be Maya's arch-nemesis. While trying to keep the surprise party a secret, the family must navigate this awkward situation and prevent Ray from sabotaging JJ's special day.

As the party draws closer, Maya becomes increasingly stressed about keeping the surprise a secret. The situation is not helped by the arrival of Maya's mother, played by guest star Marilu Henner, who is critical of Maya's parenting and has a tendency to stir up trouble.

As Maya struggles to keep everything under control, she begins to realize that it's not about making everything perfect for JJ, but rather about being there for him and supporting him no matter what. In the end, the family comes together to make JJ's birthday a truly special and memorable occasion, surprises and all.

The episode is filled with humor and heartwarming moments, as well as important messages about the challenges faced by families with special needs children. The show uses humor to tackle difficult subjects and shines a light on the importance of inclusion and acceptance.

Overall, Speechless season 1 episode 17, "S-U-R-- Surprise", is a touching and entertaining tribute to the power of family and the importance of celebrating every milestone, big or small. Fans of the show will not be disappointed and newcomers will be encouraged to tune in and join the DiMeo family on their journey.