“One Day at a Time” Is the Dramedy We Need

One Day at a Time

Netflix

By: Mike Royce and Gloria Calderon Kellett

Starring: Rita Moreno, Justina Machado, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, and Todd Grinnell

First aired: January 6, 2017

Two seasons

Twenty-six episodes

Genre: Sitcom/Dramedy

 

“One Day at a Time” is a good vessel for conversation in today’s day and age. Its important life lessons arrive at an ideal time where these very issues are seen in the news.

Dramatic comedies, or dramedies, are thought-based situation comedies. This genre focuses on ensemble casts with intellectual plots that are livened. These dramedies line up with a situation comedy, or sitcom, that allows the exposition to shine through.

“One Day at a Time” fits in this sitcom dramedy category. “One Day at a Time” is the story of a Cuban-American family living in the United States. This family goes through a series of events as each family member is going through his or her own journey.

Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado) separated from her husband and along with her children are living with her mother, Lydia (Rita Moreno). Her kids, Elena (Isabella Gómez) and Alex (Marcel Ruiz), have their own journeys.

“One Day at a Time” utilizes a Latinx family with well-known Rita Moreno to show these issues in real situations. Rita Moreno is an award winning, Latina actress who fits her role perfectly. She is one of 12 people who have received EGOT, or all major academy awards. She is known for portraying Latina women in a powerful light.

These issues discussed as a part of the show are arriving at a perfect time, especially with events happening in the United States as of recent. Immigration and minorities are a recent topic in the news. “Once Day at a Time” eloquently brings up the injustice of deportation and how for some people, the United States is the home they know.

Based on the 1975-1984 sitcom, “One Day at a Time” by Whitney Blake and Allan Manings, this series focuses on what it is like growing up as a Latinx family. Not only does it focus on growing up as a Latinx family, but what it was like growing up in different generations as a Latinx family.

This show debuted in 2017 to positive reviews and awarded a second season. It also has recently been renewed for a third season.

Each episode has its own theme. Important issues are discussed such as mental health, sexuality, immigration, and religion to name a few.

Season 1 focuses on the idea of Elena (Isabella Gómez) having her quinceañera. There are discussions in the family regarding of what it means to become a woman, that one’s sexuality is okay, and what it means to be a family.

One of the biggest “aww” moments of this series is when Elena (Isabella Gómez) comes out to her family and sees incredible support when her homophobic father does not come to her quinceañera. Her younger brother, Alex (Marcel Ruiz) steps in to do the traditional father-daughter dance so that she is not embarrassed at her party.

Season 2 focuses more on what it is to be Latinx. Lydia (Rita Moreno) came to the United States as a refugee, which is a huge topic in the country today, and is working to become a citizen.

“One Day at a Time” follows the format of a modern, innovative comedy. This show fits in with other multi-cam comedies such as “George Lopez” and “All in the Family.”

The first season floundered a little bit plot wise as there was no linear through line. Season two became more concrete with a plot that went from episode to episode and allowed the characters to have more depth, whether it was the emotional journey of Lydia (Rita Moreno) in the hospital or the kids wanting to embrace their heritage and be proud of who they are.