Ep 10. Ann's Crisis

After a two-month hiatus, One Day at a Time returns with a powerful and emotional episode titled "Ann's Crisis." The show chronicles the lives of the Alvarez family, a Cuban-American family living in Los Angeles, through their everyday struggles and triumphs.

In this episode, Ann, who is played by actress Rita Moreno, faces a crisis when she cannot find her husband, Leslie, after a night out with friends. Leslie, who has Alzheimer's disease, has wandered off, and Ann spends the entire episode searching for him. The episode explores the devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease on families and caregivers.

Ann's children, Elena and Alex, try to help their mother as best they can, but they soon realize that they are over their heads. They call on the help of Dr. Berkowitz, a geriatrician who has been helping Leslie with his disease. In a heartbreaking scene, Dr. Berkowitz tells Ann that she needs to accept that Leslie is no longer the man she knew and loved. He reminds her that this is the reality of Alzheimer's disease and that it is not going to get better.

Throughout the episode, we see flashbacks of Ann and Leslie's life together. We witness their first kiss, their wedding, and the birth of their children. These scenes are a beautiful reminder of the love and connection that the couple once had and the life they built together.

As the episode progresses, Ann's desperation grows, and she becomes increasingly frantic. She imagines what would happen if Leslie were to die alone on the streets, or if he was taken to a hospital and died before she could get to him. It's a devastating and heart-wrenching portrayal of the mental and emotional tolls that Alzheimer's disease can take on families.

As the sun sets and the search for Leslie continues, Ann finally receives a call from a stranger who has found her husband. She rushes to the location and finds Leslie sitting on a bench, looking confused and disoriented. She wraps her arms around him and holds him close, relieved that he is safe.

The episode ends with the family sitting together, watching home movies of Ann and Leslie's life together. They are quiet, lost in their own thoughts, but united in their love and support for each other.

Overall, "Ann's Crisis" is a powerful and emotional episode that serves as a poignant reminder of the effects of Alzheimer's disease on families and caregivers. The episode showcases the incredible talent of the show's cast and crew and its ability to address sensitive and important topics in a way that is both authentic and relatable.