My memory of the (bizarrely) long-running "One Day at a Time" was that it was an egregiously unfunny show that worked better as a half-hour soapbox for the legendary Norman Lear's typical, sledgehammer style, unsubtle social messaging! Having watched reruns of it recently, my initially negative opinion regarding its so-called comedic entertainment value has only grown! The death of series star Bonnie Franklin, nearly ten years ago, hit me hard, because even though I was never a fan of the series, I found Ms. Franklin to be, aside from luminously beyond gorgeous, a competent and energetic series lead, deserving of a far better vehicle! I say all of this because this particular episode, guest starring a good, young actress named Lane Binkley, kinda spoke to me personally during my brief, adolescent, first-hand experience as an epileptic! I legit have no idea if the fear and ignorance of others regarding this condition (especially at the time) was in any way accurate, yet I give the episode's writers much credit for tackling the issue at all! Again, "ODAAT" was too often a laughter-bereft mess, yet, as long as the sparkling talent of the late Ms. Franklin was out there soldiering through it, I was more than happy to (occasionally) be out there, in the viewing trenches, supporting her in her efforts to lift up what was largely, absolute comedic dreck, but which still, every once in a while, managed to hit an important dramatic bullseye, even as nary a laugh were elicited in the process!
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