One Day At a Time

One day at a time is a sitcom based on the 1975 - 1984 series of the same name. Penelope is a Army Nursing Corps veteran who is raising her two children with her conventional Cuba mother Lydia. Because her husband Victor is an alcoholic who suffers from post-traumatic stress, she decided to leave Victor and raise her children alone. Her civilian life as a single mother is more difficult than her life in the army.

In the first episode of the first season, Penelope wants her daughter Elena to have traditional Cuba quinceanera to celebrate her 15th birthday, while Elena doesn’t want to do this.  At the same time, her 12 years old son Alex thought he could have five pairs of new shoes for weekday because their family is not poor. These two events made Penelope feel depressive, then she decided to take the anti depression pill given by her boss Dr. Leslie. When the family calmed down and talked to each other, these problems have been solved. Elena agreed to hold a quinceanera, and Alex realized he should not care about his shoes too much, and Lydia spooned Penelope to sleep.

This show is very suitable for family with young kids to watch. The messages behind the conflicts in the shows is educational for kids and teenage. Alex was allowed to buy a pair of new shoes under 40, but he ordered five pairs of shoes out of vanity. He even came out with an idea that keep his shoe clean and return these shoes and buy new shoes circularly, therefore he does not actually pay for the shoes. He felt proud of his smart idea. When Penelope pointed out Alex behavior like a stealing, he argued that it is like a stealing but not a stealing. After receiving his punishment of getting no new shoes, but his sister’s princess shoes, Alex realized that he should not worry of his shoe, and pay more attention to other important things. Penelope found a pair of shoes is under 40 and give it to Alex in the end. This plot is teaching teens to not worry too much about the outerwear, and the inner side is much more important.

Elena refused to have quinceanera mainly because she felt there is no reason for her to do this. This is correct that sometimes we don’t have to do something just because everybody else is doing it. After Elena understood that her mom wanted to her to do that because her mother wanted to show people that she, a single mother can raise child by her own, Elena decided to have a quinceanera in her 15th birthday. Elena changed her stance immediately after she understood the meaning behind it.  

Penelope’s mother, Lydia stop Penelope from taking antidepressant and told Penelope that she would be fine, and she didn’t need these pills. Penelope told Lydia that she wanted hugs from a man and people to spooned her to sleep. Lydia soon realized her daughter need to be comforted and hugged her. Before they went to sleep, Lydia shew up in Penelope’s room, and spooned Penelope. It was so sweet moment when Lydia hugged and spoon Penelope. Lydia used her action to tell Penelope that she does not have to be strong all the time, and Lydia would always be her strong backup.

This episode is telling teens not to care too much about outside and using the bug of free return is not good. It is also trying to tell people that our family are people who try to understand you and try to comfort you as much as they can.