Skip to content
Wherever I Look Logo

Wherever I Look

  • HomeExpand
    • About Wherever I LookExpand
      • Our Writers
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Cookie & Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • HTML Sitemap
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Character Guide
  • Live Performances
  • Videos
Wherever I Look Logo
Wherever I Look

Home - TV Shows - One Day At A Time: Season 2/ Episode 4 “Roots” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

One Day At A Time: Season 2/ Episode 4 “Roots” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

As Penelope teaches Alex to have fun on a budget, Lydia reveals a shocking secret to the family. Network Netflix Director(s) Phill Lewis Writer(s) Dan Signer Air Date 1/26/2018 Episode Focus: For The Love of Cuba! | Lydia, Elena, Penelope You remember Carmen right? The girl whose family was deported because they weren’t citizens? Well,…

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted onJanuary 27, 2018 11:15 AMMarch 19, 2020 8:32 PM Hours Updated onMarch 19, 2020 8:32 PM
Lydia telling Elena that she doesn't vote

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.


Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.


  • Episode Focus: For The Love of Cuba! | Lydia, Elena, Penelope
    • Commentary
  • Subplot 1: What Snacks You Got? | Alex, Penelope
    • Commentary
  • Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments
  • Highlights
    • Follow Wherever I Look on Twitter or Like us on Facebook.
    • Previous Episode's Recap
  • One Day at a Time | Netflix Official Site
    • One Day at a Time | Netflix Official Site

Lydia telling Elena that she doesn't vote

As Penelope teaches Alex to have fun on a budget, Lydia reveals a shocking secret to the family.


Network
Netflix
Director(s) Phill Lewis
Writer(s) Dan Signer
Air Date 1/26/2018

Episode Focus: For The Love of Cuba! | Lydia, Elena, Penelope

Elena expressing her worries about the possibility of all non-citizens being deported.

You remember Carmen right? The girl whose family was deported because they weren’t citizens? Well, the immigration issue returns for we learn that while Lydia is a permanent citizen, a green card holder, she is not a citizen of the United States of America. Why? Well, because part of becoming a citizen requires renouncing her Cuban citizenship.

Something which she can’t bring herself to for, even after 60 some odd years living in the US, there are hopes that things in Cuba will improve to the point of returning. Whether for a visit or to live, well that isn’t clarified. What is made clear though is that Elena needs, not wants, Lydia to take this seriously. At first, the issue is just Lydia not voting and not having the right to. However, with 45 in office, and the rules always changing, and even with Cubans probably not being high on the hit list, you never know. So with that fear of suddenly, anyone who isn’t a citizen being up for deportation, Lydia realizes what she has to lose.

For while she may have a house in Cuba waiting on her, her home is with Penelope and her family.

Commentary

Lydia reading a US citizenship guide while smoking a Cuban cigar.

Call me ignorant, but as Lydia was saying she was a permanent resident, a green card holder, I was confused with how she wasn’t a citizen. But, generally speaking, who knows the process immigrants have to go through if that isn’t something you’re passionate about? Most of us, at best, know you will have to take a test, pay some money, and pledge your allegiance. However, everything that comes before that is an utter mystery.

Leading to perhaps why, alongside racism of course, so many don’t take note of how hard it really is for those who have been here for years, whether they qualified under DACA or not, to become a citizen. For never mind the civics and English exam, as noted in In The Country We Love, there is so much more that can make the process difficult. Be it mistrusting people to help you gain citizenship, the cost factor, or time.

Which I say because, the way it seems, getting citizenship, going through the legal process, is only easy and accessible if you are an immigrant with privilege. That is, someone who has the kind of money to take off work, spend hours and book multiple appointments to meet with someone, and still be able to survive. Something that may sound easy from the other side, but taking into consideration other factors like raising kids, maybe being a refugee, and possibly working minimum wage, multiple shifts, just to break even, hiding and keeping your nose clean sounds easier.

Subplot 1: What Snacks You Got? | Alex, Penelope

Being that everyone relies on Penelope’s money, asking for more than $10 for a movie is a bit much. So, Penelope introduces Alex to sneaking snacks in. A time-honored tradition amongst people of color (well, in my experience). However, with Penelope going beyond Pop Secret popcorn in her purse, with an Arizona, but bringing a mini-bodega, she takes it to the next level. To the point, it inspires Alex to bring hot dogs and bacon and be reckless.

Leading to them being caught and the lesson becoming, make enough money so you don’t have to be so cheap.

Commentary

While big topics like immigration, colorism, and etc are nice to see, you have to also like these cultural nods which aren’t as serious.

Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments

  • Penelope took a test and found out she would be sorted into HufflePuff.

Highlights

·       The levels of being a legal immigrant and reasons why citizenship might be avoided.


Follow Wherever I Look on Twitter or Like us on Facebook.


Previous Episode’s Recap

[visual-link-preview encoded=”eyJ0eXBlIjoiaW50ZXJuYWwiLCJwb3N0IjoxNjkyOCwicG9zdF9sYWJlbCI6IlBvc3QgMTY5MjggLSBPbmUgRGF5IEF0IEEgVGltZTogU2Vhc29uIDIvIEVwaXNvZGUgMyBcIlRvIFppciwgV2l0aCBMb3ZlXCIgLSBSZWNhcC8gUmV2aWV3ICh3aXRoIFNwb2lsZXJzKSIsInVybCI6IiIsImltYWdlX2lkIjoxNjkzMiwiaW1hZ2VfdXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93aGVyZXZlci1pLWxvb2suY29tL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE4LzAxL09uZS1EYXktQXQtQS1UaW1lLUVkLVF1aW5uLWFzLU1heC5wbmciLCJ0aXRsZSI6Ik9uZSBEYXkgQXQgQSBUaW1lOiBTZWFzb24gMi8gRXBpc29kZSAzIFwiVG8gWmlyLCBXaXRoIExvdmVcIiAtIFJlY2FwLyBSZXZpZXcgKHdpdGggU3BvaWxlcnMpIiwic3VtbWFyeSI6IlJvbWFuY2UgYmVjb21lcyBhIHBvc3NpYmlsaXR5IGZvciBFbGVuYSBhbmQgUGVuZWxvcGUsIGJ1dCBjb21wbGljYXRpb25zIG1heSBrZWVwIHRoZW0gZnJvbSBoYXBwaW5lc3MuIiwidGVtcGxhdGUiOiJkZWZhdWx0In0=”]


One Day at a Time | Netflix Official Site

One Day at a Time | Netflix Official Site

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.

One Day at a Time | Netflix Official Site

TV Shows We’re Covering This Season

  • New Saga
  • Summer Pockets
  • The Chi
  • The Water Magician
  • Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho
  • The Summer Hikaru Died
  • Ready To Love
  • Wednesday
  • The Summer I Turned Pretty


Follow/Subscribe To Our External Pages

  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X

Sending
User Review
0 (0 votes)

Listed Under Categories: TV Shows

Related Tags: Dan Signer, Netflix, One Day At A Time, One Day At A Time: Season 2, Phill Lewis

Amari Allah

Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.

Facebook Instagram YouTube

Post navigation

Previous Previous
One Day At A Time: Season 2/ Episode 3 “To Zir, With Love” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
NextContinue
Citrus: Season 1/ Episode 4 “Love Me Do” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

Site Pages

  • Home
  • About Wherever I Look
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie & Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • HTML Sitemap
  • Our Writers
The Wherever I Look logo featuring a film reel, a video game controller, old school TV set, a stage, and more done by artist Dean Nelson.

The overall goal of Wherever I Look is to fill in that space between the average fan and critic and advise you on what’s worth experiencing.

Category Pages

  • Articles
  • Character Guide
  • Collected Quotes
  • Live Peformances
  • Movies
  • Our Latest Reviews
  • TV Series
  • Video Page
Scroll to top

Wherever I Look logo

Welcome to Wherever I Look, your go-to destination for insightful and personable reviews of the latest TV episodes, movies, and live performances. Also, dive into our character guides and discover what’s truly worth your time.

  • Home
    • About Wherever I Look
      • Our Writers
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Cookie & Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • HTML Sitemap
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Character Guide
  • Live Performances
  • Videos
Search