One Day at a Time Season 2 Roundtable

If you haven’t watched One Day at a Time Season 2, now is the time to.

This brilliant comedy left us with all the feels after a heartfelt finale and fierce story arcs of new love, racism, mental illness, and being true to yourself.

Tell-Tale TV writers Allison Nichols, Milka Väinämö, Alamin Yohannes, RoseMary Blankenship, and Hillary Esquina discuss One Day at a Time Season 2 below.

• Allison Nichols (@AllisonBlairN )
• Milka Väinämö (@milkamilka )
• Alamin Yohannes (@AlaminYohannes )
• RoseMary Blankenship (@Fandom_Airlines )
• Hillary Esquina (@ryesquina)

 1. Season 2 is a non-stop roller coaster with some heavy hitting emotional moments; what was your top one and why?

Allison:  There are so many standout moments. I was a mess for the entire finale, but I think for me the standout moment was when Penelope came clean about how much she was struggling with school, and her family rallied around her and supported her. It’s a small moment, but it brought me to tears.

The fact that they gave her a desk and offered to help her study showcases how much this family supports one another. I only wish we got to see more of everyone helping Penelope study and find out if she was doing better in school.

Milka: The season finale in its entirety hit hard and on a very personal level. I lost my grandmother last year and unlike the character on the show, I never had a chance to say goodbye to her. Witnessing these wonderful characters trying to come to terms with the possible loss of Lydia made me think about the things I wish I would have had a chance to say to my grandmother.

In my opinion, the season finale is a brilliant masterpiece!

Alamin: The season finale definitely packed an emotional punch and was a fantastic ending to the season, but the standout moment for me was between Lydia and Penelope in the episode where Penelope goes off of her medication. We have heard Lydia’s opinion on Penelope going to therapy and taking medication, but when her daughter is struggling that all goes away. The result is a powerful and emotional scene between the two very talented actors.

RoseMary: “Hello, Penelope” was definitely the most hard-hitting episode for me. I relate to that on a very personal level. I don’t have PTSD, but I do suffer from depression and go through that exact thought process of “I know everything in my life is good, but I feel like nothing can make me happy.”

That is a very difficult mental space to be, and watching her battle it and come out the other end is very encouraging for people going through the same thing.

Hillary: I agree with Allison that there were so many stand-out moments this season. For me, One Day at a Time Season 2 Episode 8, “What Happened,” was fully loaded with impactful conversations and a look into the history of what brought Penelope, Elena, Alex, and Lydia to where they are in the present.

On the same episode, we also got to see some relationship mending between Elena and Victor, including a surprise mention that Alex had been advocating for Elena and a powerful monologue from Isabella Gomez that made me cheer from my seat.

2. Tell us your thoughts on who the MVP of this season was and why. 

Allison: This is impossible for me to answer! Everyone knocked it out of the park this season. I loved watching Penelope and Schneider’s relationship strengthen. He was there for her so much and at all hours of the night, no questions asked.

I think I have to give it to Penelope and Justina Machado though. She broke my heart again and again with those emotional and heart wrenching scenes. I really loved One Day at a Time Season 2 Episode 9, “Hello, Penelope,” and how Penelope struggled with her medication and depression. Penelope’s strength and vulnerability were at the forefront this season.

Milka: Penelope. She goes through so much throughout this season — she doubts whether she should keep on studying, falls in love, gets off her medication, almost loses her mother — and it is extremely interesting, at time heartbreaking, to be witness to her life. Especially on “Hello, Penelope,” Justina Machado takes the center stage and manages to bring out so many emotions to the forefront in just under 30 minutes.

Machado’s Penelope also manages to shine during the lighter moments of the show. Her chemistry with Ed Quinn’s Max is incredibly hot and the way she shares the scene with the other cast members, especially Rita Moreno, is pure magic.

Alamin: While Rita Moreno had the most memorable performance of the first season, this season’s MVP was definitely Justina Machado. The talented actress showed the immense range this season through her performance as Penelope. There were incredibly hilarious moments and deeply heart-wrenching ones.

Her new relationship, for example, brought both the typical levity of dating on a comedy series, but we also watched her shine as her character struggled after going off her meds. She was absolutely everything this season, and her performance is something we should be talking about for some time.

RoseMary: As much as I love every single character, I think Alex deserves a lot of credit this season. He had to deal with a lot of racism right off the bat. We even got to have a little fun watching him try to hold a job. Then, he orchestrated his father making up with Elena after he had issues with her coming out as lesbian last season.

He was very active in helping Elena form her relationship with Syd and helping keep them together throughout the season. Finally, we see him going so far as to paint Lydia’s nails in an attempt to wake her up in the hospital. Everyone was vulnerable this season, but Alex had a LOT of character growth.

Hillary: Every character this season had some amazing moments, but Justina Machado deserves all the praise and love she has been getting. Penelope went through a lot this year in all aspects of her life and Machado gave us an exceptional performance full of brilliance, grace, and joy.

Her vulnerability and strength were two highlights of her poignant performance this season, especially during “Hello, Penelope” and the finale “Not Yet.”

3. Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce have been vocal about having such a diverse writers’ room. Why do you think this matters and is so important?

Allison: TV shows cannot accurately depict life if the writers’ room isn’t diverse. You can’t really nail an episode featuring Elena realizing that she’s gay and coming up to her family without having queer writers in the room who can draw on personal experiences. A diverse writers’ room gives the show authenticity, and it’s what allows the show to strike a chord with so many viewers.

Milka: I think the fact that this show is so great and authentic is a direct result of a diverse writing room. Taking full advantage of the different cultures, sexualities, genders, etc. the writers of the show represent makes One Day at a Time as masterful as it is.

We all experience the world in different ways and having as many different voices as possible to build that world to the screen seems like the logical option. Unfortunately, that is still not the case with many shows, but I am hoping that the writers’ room of One Day at a Time will prove to be an example others want to follow.

Alamin: It matters because if you want to do this show well, it’s necessary. The show tells stories about people from different generations. There are LGBTQ storylines. There’s nuance to the storytelling that can only be achieved by incorporating people into your storytelling process that have lived experience to draw from.

Many people try to get away with telling stories about communities of color or the LGBTQ community without any diversity in their newsroom, so the creators of the show should proudly and loudly shout about their writer’s room.

RoseMary: It all goes back to what our high-school English teachers told us for every assignment: write what you know. The only way for the writers’ room to effectively deliver the messages that they are trying to deliver, is to be able to glean from real life experiences.

There’s no way for someone who has never even encountered a queer person to understand the monumental event of coming out to your family and the backlash. If you don’t speak Spanish, how are you going to write relevant dialogue in another language?

Hillary: I can’t write enough about how much I admire Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce for being a part of the small group of creators who hire diverse writer rooms. We all watch shows that struggle when they try to do storylines like coming out or dealing with a mental illness from a group of writers who have never had that experience, so seeing One Day at a Time handle these compelling social issues and hit the nail on the head was inspiring.

Could you imagine a room of old white men trying to write a story of a young teenager realizing she is gay or an immigrant becoming a citizen or a young Cuban boy dealing with racism or a mother finding new love while dealing with her mental illness? All of these issues are why people love the show and they only work because of diversity in the writers’ room. Bravo!

4. This season romance was in the air for some of our favorites. Which ship do you ship?

Allison: All of them. Elena and Syd are adorable, and I’m glad we got to witness Elena tip her does into the dating pool now for the first time. Lydia helping Elena figure out if Dani is adorable. I loved seeing Lydia and Alex as Elena’s wingmen.

I fell for Penelope and Max instantly. They have great banter and chemistry, and even though the breakup seemed pretty final, I’m really hoping that Max sticks around. I’ve missed Ed Quinn, and I’m suddenly feeling a Eureka rewatch coming on.

Milka: All of them! As I mentioned before, the chemistry between Penelope and Max is insane which is why I will be very upset if Max is not a part of the season three.

We don’t deserve the adorableness that is Elena and Syd. Season 2 represents very much a sort of “honeymoon” phase of their relationship and it will be extremely interesting to see how their relationship develops.

Lydia and Dr. Berkowitz are a pairing I definitely want to see more of. I love the references the show makes to Berto and the wonderful relationship Lydia had with him, but on the other hand, I wouldn’t mind seeing her relationship with Leslie turning into something more serious.

Alamin: Penelope and Max for sure. When the relationship began I thought it would allow for Machado to hit some comedic beats and have some adult relationship comedic moments, but it turned into much more than that. Penelope deserved happiness and watching her get to a place where she made room for it in her life was great to see.

I think the two actors had a great dynamic and the relationship allowed for some tender moments that were among the season’s best. Plus, I have been a fan of Ed Quinn, who plays Max, since Eureka. I have really missed him being on television.

RoseMary: I loved Syd and Elena the most. The other couples were entertaining, but I’m a sucker for a happy ending. I understood that Lydia could never find romance again because of her husband dying. And I totally get why Penelope felt she had to leave Max (though I don’t understand why he wanted to have a baby since they are the same age, oh well).

But the fact that once they got over the awkwardness of it being new, Syd and Elena have a pretty hardcore relationship. They are completely accepting of who the other is, and that is saying a lot in this day and age with teenagers. I want them to last forever!

Hillary: I am a fan of all of these great couples, but #Sylena has my heart. I was that awkward nerdy teen who didn’t know how to act around my first girl crush, let alone how to ask her out. Their story was the perfect mix of sweetness and authenticity that everyone can relate to at some point in their life.

This ‘adorkable’ couple is breaking down barriers when it comes to stereotyping young relationships and I’m excited to see what happens next in their relationship.

5. Was there something you wish there had been more of in this second season?

Allison: I wish we saw more of Alex this season. He didn’t really get a chance to shine in my opinion. He’s such a sweetheart, and I’d love to get to know him better.

Milka: At the moment, the second season seems perfect in my eyes. As time goes by and as I rewatch it there is a possibility that my opinion might change a little bit, but as of now, there is nothing I would take away from it or anything I would add into it. It is perfect as it is!

Alamin: I would have like to have more with Victor. We got that great episode where he starts to mend his relationship with Elena and the flashback, but I believe we could have used more of him in the story.

One Day at a Time is about a blended family because Penelope’s family includes Schneider and Dr. Berkowitz and I would like to have seen more Vince’s place in the dynamic. Vince has such interesting fascinating relationships with both his kids and it would be great to explore those relationships further.

RoseMary: I did enjoy Max and Penelope’s relationship, but I would have preferred to have had them build a relationship up for her that was actually going to last. The writers had us falling in love with Max right along with Lupe, and yet, in the end, we were forced to say goodbye because ultimately they didn’t have the same goals. I just wish she could have had a bit easier of a time when it comes to her love life.

Hillary: I have to agree with Allison on this one — I would have loved to have seen more of Alex. There were a ton of great moments with him and how he has his family’s back, like supporting Elena with texting her crush or painting Lydia’s nails, I just wanted more of it.

6. What are your hopes for Season 3?

Allison: I’d love to meet some of Schneider’s family. We’ve heard a lot about his childhood, his family, and his various moms, but we haven’t met any of them. I think it would be a lot of fun to watch everyone meet Schneider’s family, and it would really allow us to dive into Schneider’s past and maybe touch on his various addictions.

Milka: It will be interesting to see whether Lydia’s medical scare will play a role in Season 3 and whether the things the other characters say to Lydia on the season finale will inspire them to act in certain ways. It would be, for example, great to see Lydia and Elena deepening their relationship in some manner.

Because Penelope and Max are great together and because I want to see more of Max’s handsome face I definitely hope that Ed Quinn will be part of the third season. Additionally, I am looking forward to seeing more of Elena and Syd. Honestly, though, I will take anything because I never want this show to end!

Alamin: Alex is a character that should be explored further. While he is typical cool, calm, and collected kid, there were moments where viewers got to see other sides of Alex. Specifically, how he took care of Lydia when she was in the hospital and that he spoke up for his sister with their father. He shines when he’s given moments, so a storyline that gives Alex something different to do is my big hope for Season 3.

RoseMary: I want to see a successful relationship for Penelope. I want to see more of Berto’s ghost. I loved him! I want to see more of Syd and Elena. Oh, and I want to see even more of Alex! I am falling so in love with his development, that I just want to keep it going! And I am always happy if Schneider is on the screen. And I could also go for even more Spanish in the show. But that could just be me.

Hillary: I think having a longer story arc for Alex would be a great opportunity for Marcel Ruiz to shine even brighter. I am definitely looking forward to the development between Syd and Elena.

I would also love to meet some of these off-screen mentioned characters like Dr. Berkowitz’s daughter and Schneider’s father or one of his step-mothers. I put my trust in the amazing creators and writers, and I’m waiting anxiously for Netflix to announce this amazing show has been renewed!

What did you think of this season of One Day at a Time? Respond to our roundtable questions with your own answers in the comments below!

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