One Day at a Time: Life is Too Serious to be Taken Seriously

By: Gladys Luna

*Before you read, you must know this article has some spoilers. So, if you haven´t watched the show (honestly, why haven´t you?) you must be careful!*

A never ending emotional tour is something you should definitely be prepared to experience when watching Netflix new sitcom, “One Day at a Time.” On January 6, 2017, Netflix scored another hit with the premiere of the series based on the 1975 CBS sitcom of the same name that starred by Bonnie Franklin. The 2017 remake is developed by Gloria Calderon Kellet whose work includes titles as: “How I Met Your Mother,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Devious Maids,” “Mixology” and “iZombie” and Mike Royce who has worked on such shows as: “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Lucky Louie” and “Men of a Certain Age.” Also, among the executive producers team you will note Norman Lear, an American television writing and production legend of shows as: “All in the Family,” Sanford and Son,” “The Jeffersons,” “Good Times” and “Maude,” which practically makes this show as a guarantee of pure entertainment.

“One Day at a Time” follows the story of the Alvarez family, a Cuban-American family living in the United States and their daily struggles to achieve for a better life while facing some obstacles and vicissitude. They prove that although life is not exactly a fairy tale, family can always make everything so much better.

The family is led by Penelope Alvarez who is a single mother of two teenagers, extraordinarily portrayed by Justina Machado in what is her very first lead role. After serving in Afghanistan, Penelope returns home to be faced with the fact of not only becoming a single mother, but also to deal with her PTSD as a result of the war. Machado delivers such a remarkable performance that keeps you either laughing or bursting into tears, showing her ability to move easily from humor to drama in a blink of an eye. Penelope is an accurate representation of not only a modern Latina mother, but also of a strong, determined woman who despite all of her fears and uncertainties had chosen to face life with strength and courage trying to be the best version of herself for her family without leaving her own interests behind. I believe what makes Penelope´s story and development appealing to the audience is that she is the kind of a woman that can be found anywhere out there. She can be your neighbor, your mother, your daughter or even yourself. The sense of reality imprinted to this character´s story goes beyond the screen and reaches whoever is watching and Justina had managed to find the perfect balance between all of the faces of her character leaving us in awe every time she appears on a scene.

Another crucial character for the development of this story is Lydia, Penelope´s mother who´s been wonderfully brought to life by the delightful Rita Moreno. Lydia was taken away from Cuba when she was younger where she was a dancer and carried into the United States. She moved to a place not only far away from home, but that also held a culture and language that she knew absolutely nothing about. Still, she managed to go through life with the few resources she had at a time and made the best life she could out of it. Lydia is a witty, old school and religious character that plays a fundamental part in her daughter and grandkids life. She is the soul of the Alvarez house always singing and dancing around filling the space with joy and cheerfulness. Lydia is always standing up for family values and traditions as well as constantly making sure her family remembers their roots and embrace their Cuban culture. Rita´s charisma and splendid acting draws you instantly into her character´s story making you love her even more by the second. And regardless her wacky and unique temper, she is the kind of relative you surely want to have.

Isabella Gómez is an 18 years old actress that portrays the character of Elena Alvarez, the oldest of Penelope’s two children. Elena is very well known for being straightforward and wise and is captain of the debate team who also identifies herself as a vegetarian. She is commonly misunderstood by her family, but well embraced and loved. Even though Elena is always shown as a strong young girl standing her own ground, on the series’ first season we have the chance to travel through Elena´s self-discovery journey as she fights her inner battles leading the way to her own acceptance. With the recent events happening with all LGBT characters, it is great to find such a lovely, well-written story portrayed with such love, dedication and commitment by the talented Isabella. The writing on Elena´s coming out scene is deep and touching as it is the way in which each member of the family embraces and deals with such revelation. It is of great pleasure to witness young actresses as Isabella being so fearless and bold about their acting.

Alex Alvarez is Penelope´s younger son portrayed by young actor Marcel Ruiz. In opposition to his sister Elena, Alex is a fan of popularity and cares about what other people say. He is easy to be persuaded, which has earned him some minor troubles. Although he is commonly found teasing on his sister, his love for his family is strong and unconditional. Marcel delivers a charming, brilliant acting that makes us easily fall for him.

Along with the family we can find Schneider, played by actor Todd Grinnell. Schneider is the Alvarez’s Canadian landlord who, due to his closeness to the family, can be practically seen as just another member. As the season unravels, Schneider becomes more and more caught up by the family dynamic, which he seems to enjoy enormously as he finds in them the family he wasn’t able to have himself. Schneider had an estranged father that only got him multiple step mothers as he was growing up. Schneider also represents a father figure for both Alex and Elena, as he takes good care of them as if they were of his own.

Schneider has a history of gambling, addiction to alcohol and drugs, but he is now in recovery. Todd´s exceptional approach to this role makes Schneider such an enjoyable character, who despite all of his flaws and the mistakes he made on the past, has grown to be a good hearted man capable of love and look for the safety of those who he loves most.

Also, joining these characters on this adventure we would find:

Stephen Tobolowsky as Dr. Leslie Berkowitz: Penelope´s boss and Lydia love interest.

Tony Plana as Berto: Lydia´s deceased husband with whom Lydia keeps a “beyond the grave” relationship as she talks to him every night, updating him on the current events of the family.

Eric Nenninger as Scott: Penelope´s annoying colleague with whom she has had some disagreements, but eventually sort them out.

Fiona Gubelmann as Lori: Another Penelope´s colleague, well known for her ingenuous personality.

Ariela Barer as Carmen: Elena´s best friend whose parents were deported, forcing the young girl to sneak out every night into Elena´s room as she no longer has a place to stay. After a few episodes, Carmen moves to Texas to live with her brother.

Froy Gutiérrez as Josh Flores: Elena´s first love interest and friend from high School who also helps her in the process of figuring out who she truly is.

Thomas Barbusca as Finn: Alex´s best friend whose reckless and curious personality seems to keep dragging Alex into trouble.

Haneefah Wood as Jill Riley: An ex veteran who now works as a sales woman in a car lot where she meets Penelope and suddenly becomes her new partner in crime.

James Martinez as Victor Alvarez: Penelope´s almost ex-husband. He is also an ex-veteran dealing with alcoholism and PTSD who returns to L.A after being long gone to find that nothing seems to be as it was when he left, mainly the dynamic between his family – something he doesn’t seem to entirely agree on.

“One Day at a Time” is the story where three generations collide creating and finding lovely new ways to be better every day. This is a family show where everyone has a space and their opinion matter all the same. They are always striving for the best resolution of every conflict that comes along the way, using flaws as strengths and mistakes as lessons. As a part of the Latin American culture, I feel honored to have such a wonderful representation without falling into the regular clichés and mockery. I feel pleased to find a lovely group of actors, crew and writers, committed and concerned on highlighting the best aspects of a culture that had been often dismissed and stereotyped.

In conclusion, “One Day at a Time” is the kind of show that encloses what a marvelous script, mind blowing performances and incredible direction and production can achieve. This show’s success also relays in the truthfulness and caution with which every topic is approached. The realism of the characters’ stories is not far from the reality that its audience might live, what offers them a voice through this series. Certainly, “One Day at a Time” is a must see show that everyone is talking about. So Netflix, if you´re listening, we are so ready for Season 2!