The first three seasons ofOne Day at a Time marched to their own beat. Often, the show's rhythms were predictable: a light, expository Act 1; a fretful, complicating Act 2; then a dramatic, compassionate Act 3.
Centered on three generations of a Cuban-American family in a gentrifying Los Angeles neighborhood, the series was widely praised, especially right after its cancellation by Netflix last year, for its adept handling of various issues.
Among its many topics: gender roles, LGBTQ+ acceptance, immigration, mental health and balancing cultural traditions with necessary progress.
But another key to ODAAT's earnest appeal — and fierce fandom — might well be those regular turns into darker or more intense emotions.