The WORST episodes of One Day at a Time (2017)

Every episode of One Day at a Time (2017) ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of One Day at a Time (2017)!

In a reimagining of the TV classic, a newly single Latina mother raises her teen daughter and tween son with the "help" of her old-school mom.

Last Updated: 6/3/2025Network: PopStatus: Ended
The Politics Episode
star
7.13
119 votes

#1 - The Politics Episode

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/16/2020

In this animated special, Penelope’s conservative family visit. Penelope dreads with the presidential election coming up, they won’t be able to avoid fighting over politics, leaving the Alvarezes to strategize how to get through with the family intact.

Directors: Phill Lewis
This Is It
star
7.29
468 votes

#2 - This Is It

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/6/2017

Penelope tries to convince her feminist daughter Elena to have a traditional quinceañera to celebrate her 15th birthday and to honor her Cuban roots.

Directors: Pamela Fryman
Watch Now:Apple TV
Hold, Please
star
7.56
257 votes

#3 - Hold, Please

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/6/2017

While navigating her way through an endless maze of red tape with Veterans Affairs to make a medical appointment, Penelope reaches her breaking point.

Directors: Victor Gonzalez
Watch Now:Apple TV
Perfect
star
7.59
132 votes

#4 - Perfect

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 4/21/2020

Alex needs a large amount of money right away, worrying Penelope. Schneider and Avery must contend with an unwanted gift from Dr. Berkowitz.

Directors: Angela Barnes
A Snowman's Tale
star
7.63
269 votes

#5 - A Snowman's Tale

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/6/2017

Penelope suddenly finds herself back in the dating game after Schneider shows her how to use an online app for meeting people.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Watch Now:Apple TV
Checking Boxes
star
7.64
174 votes

#6 - Checking Boxes

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/24/2020

After a census taker comes to the house, the Alvarez family reflects on their relationships and wonder what else the future may (or may not) have in store.

Directors: Pamela Fryman
The Death of Mrs. Resnick
star
7.67
262 votes

#7 - The Death of Mrs. Resnick

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/6/2017

When Penelope's faithful car finally breaks down for good and she's forced to trade it in, she meets a kindred spirit in the unlikeliest of places.

Directors: Victor Gonzalez
Writer: Andy Roth
Watch Now:Apple TV
Nip It in the Bud
star
7.68
169 votes

#8 - Nip It in the Bud

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/8/2019

Penelope catches Alex smoking pot at a concert. When Lydia develops a cough at the opera, she tries Dr. B's special lozenges.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Writer: Dan Signer
Supermoon
star
7.68
120 votes

#9 - Supermoon

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 4/28/2020

When a supermoon appears in the night sky, each couple takes a turn going up to the roof and discovers an elaborate romantic setting, fit for a marriage proposal. Who is it for? And what other secrets will be unlocked? Only the moon knows!

Directors: Michael J. Shea
Writer: Erin Foley
Bobos and Mamitas
star
7.70
319 votes

#10 - Bobos and Mamitas

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/6/2017

When Penelope and Elena complain about not being taken seriously as women at work and school, Lydia offers advice from an older generation.

Directors: Pamela Fryman
Watch Now:Apple TV
Penny Pinching
star
7.72
141 votes

#11 - Penny Pinching

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/31/2020

After a disastrous evening, Penelope realizes she needs to change her relationship to money and do the unthinkable—buy something new. Meanwhile, Elena struggles to make it to an important e-sports match.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Writer: Dan Signer
Benefit with Friends
star
7.78
158 votes

#12 - Benefit with Friends

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/8/2019

Elena hides her grandmother's high heels. Penelope starts to see a male friend in a new way. Schneider meets a kindred spirit at the school auction.

Directors: Angela Barnes
Roots
star
7.78
174 votes

#13 - Roots

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/26/2018

Elena is horrified to learn that her grandmother doesn't vote. Penelope teaches her son all her tricks on how to save money at the movie theater.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Writer: Dan Signer
Exclusive
star
7.78
165 votes

#14 - Exclusive

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/26/2018

Lydia learns that Dr. Berkowitz is going to the opera without her. When Schneider asks if she and Max are exclusive, Penelope realizes it's time for a talk.

Directors: Pamela Fryman
Writer: Debby Wolfe
Watch Now:Apple TV
Hermanos
star
7.80
168 votes

#15 - Hermanos

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/8/2019

Sibling rivalry rears its ugly head when Penelope's brother, who can do no wrong in their mother's eyes, shows up during a family getaway to San Diego.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Storage Wars
star
7.81
158 votes

#16 - Storage Wars

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/26/2018

As Schneider's trainee, Elena learns there's more to being a building super than fixing things. Penelope battles Lydia over space in their garage.

Watch Now:Apple TV
One Valentine's Day at a Time
star
7.84
166 votes

#17 - One Valentine's Day at a Time

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/8/2019

Rain ruins Valentine's Day plans, causing more than one couple to have their first fight. Schneider tries to hide his wealthy background from Avery.

Directors: Phill Lewis
One Lie at a Time
star
7.85
257 votes

#18 - One Lie at a Time

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/6/2017

Penelope tells her family she has a date and Lydia says she's going to church, but each secretly goes elsewhere. Meanwhile, Elena tests an attraction.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Writer: Debby Wolfe
Watch Now:Apple TV
A Penny and a Nicole
star
7.85
151 votes

#19 - A Penny and a Nicole

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/8/2019

When her ex-husband introduces the family to his new girlfriend, Penelope feels unexpectedly resentful and comes to a realization about Mateo.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Hurricane Victor
star
7.86
235 votes

#20 - Hurricane Victor

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/6/2017

Just when Penelope starts to date again, her estranged husband Victor makes a surprise visit home that rekindles old feelings between them.

Directors: Pamela Fryman
Watch Now:Apple TV
Work Hard, Play Hard
star
7.86
175 votes

#21 - Work Hard, Play Hard

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/26/2018

To teach Alex the value of a dollar, Penelope forces him to take a summer job at her workplace. Meanwhile, Elena finds a way to get paid for her hobby.

Directors: Pamela Fryman
Writer: Andy Roth
One Halloween at a Time
star
7.86
140 votes

#22 - One Halloween at a Time

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/14/2020

It’s a very scary Halloween when Penelope and Max have to have the “do you still want to have kids or what?” conversation, while Schneider and Avery are determined to win an elaborate costume contest.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Watch Now:Amazon
No Mass
star
7.86
288 votes

#23 - No Mass

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/6/2017

When Lydia disappears after a heated argument with her daughter about religion, the smooth running of the household falls apart in her absence.

Directors: Phill Lewis
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Homecoming
star
7.90
164 votes

#24 - Homecoming

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/26/2018

At the kids' school dance, Elena tries to appear popular in front of Syd, and chaperones Penelope and Max reach a milestone in their relationship.

Directors: Pamela Fryman
Watch Now:Amazon
The Turn
star
7.90
207 votes

#25 - The Turn

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/26/2018

Penelope worries about changes she sees in Alex, who gets into trouble at school. Elena wonders if others are misidentifying her based on her appearance.

Directors: Pamela Fryman
Watch Now:Amazon