One Day At A Time
Start writing a post

"One Day At A Time" Needs To Be The Next Netflix Show You Binge Watch

As Machado stated on Wendy Williams, "We're telling a universal story, a family story through a Latino lens."

32
https://www.instagram.com/odaatnetflix/

Netflix has created some really good original shows. There's so many to binge but if you haven't binged "One Day At A Time" you're really missing out.

"One Day At A Time" is a reboot of the original sitcom developed by Norman Lear. The original series aired on CBS and was about a divorced mother in Indianapolis raising her two teenage daughters. The show aired from December 1975 to May 1984.

Norman Lear wanted to make a reboot of the show so he did. The show was recreated but with a twist. The shows reboot is about a Cuban American Family. The show stars two iconic latina actresses, Justina Machado, and Rita Moreno. Justin Machado plays Penelope, who is a Veteran and single mother raising her two teenage children Alex ( Marcel Ruiz) and Elena (Isabella Gomez) with her Mother Lydia (Rita Moreno) and sometimes help from their landlord and friend Schneider (Todd Grinnell).

"One Day At A Time" has representation all around.

Veterans are always portrayed as heroic which they are but there are many who are living normal American lives and are also struggling with going back to a normal life. The show portrays that through Penelope's life. The show portrays a female Veteran as a normal human being struggling with things. This represents Veterans as more than just someone who goes off to war they go through things and try to live normal lives after the war and serving in the military.

The show also represents the LGBTQ community which is a community that is not represented a lot in the media. Isabella Gomez plays Elena, Penelope's teenage daughter. Elena is a LGBTQ character and in the show, she discovers herself and finds who she is. She comes out to her family, is experimenting and develops her first relationship. These scenes are very relatable for so many LGBTQ people in the world watching the show.

Justin Machado has been acting for over twenty years.

This is her biggest role yet. On her Instagram, she posted a video of a pilot episode from her first leading role twenty years ago for a series that never aired. She played a Cuban American named Lupe. In her post, she stated "This pilot never went to series because as was told to me back then "the world wasn't ready for a Latino family."

Can you believe that?

Well, it's a different time now, thank God, and not only are we ready we are not going anywhere! Now, Machado is playing a Cuban American woman named Penelope (her nickname on the show is Lupe) in a hit sitcom showing the life of a Cuban American family and the world is loving it.

"One Day At A Time" is representing so many different people and talks about so many issues that many shows don't discuss. The show also talks about immigration, political activism and so many more topics that many people encounter in life. The show is relatable, fun, breaking barriers and an all-around amazing show.

If you enjoy watching shows that like to address current events and spark debate, then this show is most definitely for you. Regardless of your political leanings, "One Day at a Time" does well in demonstrating both sides of an argument instead of completely advocating for one. It's interesting to note that all the key family members have different views which clash and coincide with one another quite often, leading to dynamic conversations and necessary plot and character development. You feel as though every character has a purpose and isn't just there to exist as part of the support for the main character, Penelope Alvarez.

Some people have expressed concerns that because they are not Hispanic, they will not be able to relate to the series as much as other Hispanic viewers, and I must disagree. I believe that although this series represents Hispanic families and some Hispanic ideologies that will come more naturally to Hispanic viewers, every ethnicity has norms and practices that could be similar. Additionally, it helps viewers gain awareness on issues and perspective from a different ethnicity's standpoint. Overall, this is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys comedy-drama series that appeal to families.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40864
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25455
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950985
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

133472
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments