Ep 1. Ann's Decision

Ann's Decision is the first episode of the popular Netflix original series One Day at a Time. The series is a comedy-drama that follows the lives of a Cuban-American family living in Los Angeles.

The episode begins with the main character, Penelope Alvarez (played by Justina Machado), a newly-single mother of two, returning home after serving in the Army as a nurse. She struggles to adjust to civilian life, as well as dealing with depression and anxiety stemming from her time in the military.

Ann's Decision centers around Penelope’s mother, Lydia (played by Rita Moreno), who argues with her daughter about the future of their family. Lydia believes they should keep their Cuban traditions, while Penelope prefers to adopt a more modern American way of life.

Penelope’s younger brother, Alex (played by Marcel Ruiz), dreams of attending a party that he has promised his school friends he will attend. Penelope forbids him from going, as she is worried that he will get in trouble with the law. However, after some convincing from her mother, Penelope decides to allow Alex to attend the party.

The episode also focuses on Penelope’s friend and co-worker, Schneider (played by Todd Grinnell). Schneider is a wealthy landlord who is renovating the apartment complex where Penelope lives. Although he seems to be a bit of a party animal, he is a loyal friend to Penelope.

Throughout the episode, we see Penelope struggle to come to terms with her place in the world. She feels caught between her Cuban heritage and her American identity. The struggles that the Alvarez family goes through feel genuine and relatable to anyone who comes from a background of mixed cultures.

Despite its themes of family and tradition, the show also deals with more serious issues like mental health, PTSD, and social issues like immigration and sexism. Ann's Decision sets the tone for future episodes, as it provides a good balance of drama and humor.

Overall, Ann's Decision is a fantastic start to the One Day at a Time series. The characters are relatable, the writing is great, and the actors give excellent performances. It is a show that resonates with a broad audience, regardless of their cultural background.