“One Day at a Time” Needs to be Saved

By DANIELLE SEYMOUR
Staff Writer

“One Day at a Time” is a Netflix comedy series in danger of cancelation after only three seasons. As of now, the show hangs in the balance without news of cancelation or renewal, but it could be canceled if the show does not gain a wider viewership. “One Day at a Time” has great reviews and is arguably one of the better shows on the streaming platform, and it would be a mistake to cancel it. Even if the show does not have a wide viewership, it does have a group of very dedicated and passionate fans, and it is easy to see why.

“One Day at a Time” is a reboot that is perfect for modern times. It follows the life of Cuban American veteran and nurse Penelope Alvarez and her family, including her mother and two children, as well as an ex-husband and close friends. This show is not only funny and relatable but it discusses important issues in a realistic way. The show covers topics including mental illness, race, sexuality, immigration, addiction, sexual assault, and culture with grace, keeping things serious when necessary, but throwing in a good joke when they can.

Every character is multi-faceted and they continue to grow and learn with each episode. You can find relatability in at least one of the eccentric characters. Maybe you relate to Penelope, the single mother trying to raise her family alone while also trying to balance her job and mental illness. Or Lydia, a proud immigrant who holds tight to her Cuban roots and her late husband. There is also Elena, a socially conscious and studious teenager who struggled with her sexuality, and Alex, a confident teenage boy who struggles with the expectations on him as a young latino. Lastly, there is Schneider, a privileged man who found the love he never had in the Alvarez family.

“One Day at a Time” has several merits that make it a good show. It is actually funny and charming and there is likability in every character. There are a few qualities that make it a great show. It has the familiar 90s sitcom quality that is reminiscent of shows like Friends and Full House, but its plot and characters are so much more real. Instead of insane and out of the box conflicts, the Alvarez family finds entertaining ways to deal with the problems that every family is dealing with right now. We watch a Catholic grandma as she comes to term with her granddaughter coming out. We see a mother have to explain the rules of consent to a young son in the “Me Too” era. We follow how the family handles racism as an immigrant family in Trump’s America. These are all problems that many households face, and it is refreshing to see a television show acknowledge these issues and show how one family faces each one.

This is a show that today’s world needs. People need the lessons that this show teaches so well. They need to know that you can choose your family, and sometimes your chosen family loves you like their own. They need to know that mental illness is real, and that seeking out help is not shameful. They need to know that the world is diverse, and that celebrating your culture is important and beautiful. They need to know that gender and sexuality are wide spectrums, and that educating yourself on these topics is important. They need to know that they are not the only ones facing these problems, but they are issues in almost every household across the country. But most of all, we all need to laugh. It is easy to look around and feel as if we are living in dark times. Shows like “One Day at a Time” are bright spots in the darkness.