The Worst Episodes of One Day at a Time
Every episode of One Day at a Time ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of One Day at a Time!
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.
Lowest Rated Episodes Summary
The worst episode of "One Day at a Time" is "This Is It", rated 7.3/10 from 625 user votes. It was directed by N/A and written by N/A. "This Is It" aired on 1/6/2017 and is rated 0.3 point(s) lower than the second lowest rated, "The Politics Episode".
7.3/10 625 votes#1 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/10 177 votes#2 - The Politics Episode
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 6/16/2020
Penelope's conservative family comes to visit; Penelope dreads that with the election coming up, they won't be able to avoid fighting over politics, leaving the Alvarezes to strategize how to get through it with the family intact.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: N/A
7.7/10 514 votes#3 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/10 459 votes#4 - 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.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: N/A
7.8/10 447 votes#5 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/10 459 votes#6 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit
7.8/10 371 votes#7 - Schooled
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 1/26/2018
When juggling family, work and college proves too much for Penelope, Schneider offers her a way to sharpen her focus and improve her test grades.
Director: Pamela Fryman
Writer: Becky Mann, Audra Sielaff
7.8/10 351 votes#8 - 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.
Director: Pamela Fryman
Writer: Andy Roth
7.8/10 172 votes#9 - 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.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: N/A
7.9/10 361 votes#10 - 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.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: N/A
7.9/10 137 votes#11 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/10 497 votes#12 - 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.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: N/A
8.0/10 449 votes#13 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Peter Murrieta
8.0/10 374 votes#14 - 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.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: Dan Signer
8.0/10 369 votes#15 - 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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/10 368 votes#16 - 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.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: N/A
8.1/10 345 votes#17 - 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.
Director: Kimberly McCullough
Writer: Becky Mann, Audra Sielaff
8.1/10 236 votes#18 - 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 what else the future may, or may not, have in store.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/10 367 votes#19 - 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.
Director: Pamela Fryman
Writer: Debby Wolfe
8.2/10 344 votes#20 - She Drives Me Crazy
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 2/8/2019
Penelope feels hurt after seeing an item on her mom's "bouquet list" that's about her. Dr. B finds the key to teaching a struggling Elena how to drive.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/10 156 votes#21 - 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.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: N/A
8.3/10 488 votes#22 - Strays
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 1/6/2017
Lydia grows suspicious of Elena and Carmen's intense relationship. Penelope later discovers that the inseparable friends are keeping a big secret.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: N/A
8.3/10 486 votes#23 - Viva Cuba
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1/6/2017
Elena gets a congratulatory letter that leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. For a school project, Alex interviews Lydia, who reveals a family secret.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.3/10 412 votes#24 - To Zir, With Love
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 1/26/2018
Lydia gives Elena advice on approaching her crush. After running into a hunky Army buddy who's also single, Penelope rethinks her dating rules.
Director: Phill Lewis
Writer: Sebastian Jones
8.3/10 356 votes#25 - 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.
Director: Pamela Fryman
Writer: Michelle Badillo, Debby Wolfe, Caroline Levich