Top 10 Elena & Syd Moments on One Day At A Time

After discovering some inappropriate photos on Alex’s secret Finsta account, the family sits him down for a serious discussion about consent. However, following some questionable input from Lydia and Schneider, Elena and Syd take over the reins with some very enthusiastic roleplay to demonstrate how consent should look. While their performance receives mixed reactions from the family, Elena is left feeling sheepish when Syd divulges that this isn’t exactly how their first kiss happened. If anything, they manage to add to the confusion - but at least it gets everyone thinking, and really wasn’t that the point in the first place?

Basking in the glow of the “exactly-the-same-size-as-every-other-night moon”, this couple turns up the heat by “talking nerdy”. As they enjoy their “recycled romance,” the conversation turns to crushes. Elena is surprised by how rapidly Syd lists theirs but when it’s Elena’s turn, Syd is taken aback when Elena deviates from the fictional world. While they try to pretend that they’re too evolved to get upset over such matters, the romance is gone and the awkwardness lingers. Fortunately, it doesn’t last long as the sound of Alex and Nora heading to the roof breaks the tension as the pair rush to make themselves scarce.

For Halloween, Elena and Syd dress up as climate activist Greta Thunberg and a melting iceberg, partially for a good cause and partially because [quote/soundbite: “they’re so hot”]. They plan on treating unsuspecting “suckers” with the facts about the harmful impacts of manmade climate change and present them with a petition to sign. But the trick is on them when no one gets their costumes or sadly seems to care about their cause either. Although they eventually decide to give up on their political crusade, the night isn’t a total waste. And with all that sugar, they can just go harder tomorrow.

After rain ruins their Valentine’s Day plans, Elena and Syd have their first fight when they can’t agree on how to spend the day. They can’t stay mad at each other for long though and as they make up, Elena presents Syd with a special non-binary Valentine’s card. Syd is so touched by this gesture that they show their appreciation by taking a big step in the relationship, even if it’s cliché to do so on Valentine’s Day. Elena is so happy that she even agrees to take a break from being “woker than a barnyard rooster” to take Syd to Behinanna.

The writers twisted the traditional “first-time” narrative to provide an honest and empathetic angle that will resonate with young audiences. Instead of focusing on the physical act, we follow the emotional journey that comes with deciding when you’re ready to have sex. Elena’s anxieties spiral after she learns that this isn’t both of their first times as she first thought. However, Syd’s comforting words echo the conversation many of us would have wanted to have before our first time too. While a post-sex scene was filmed, it was ultimately cut to keep the focus on the love and bond that they share.

Wanting to sidestep the cliché of “first love is forever”, Elena and Syd decide to break up before heading to different colleges. Alex doubts that they can even make it two days apart, a challenge they accept perhaps too confidently. It doesn’t take long for Elena to freak out as she starts imagining what Syd could get up to in this short time. Meanwhile, Lydia concocts a plan to reunite the pair and put this experiment behind them. The couple realizes that they don’t want to break up and that they actually would be much happier being that couple.

To avoid any potential awkwardness, Elena plans a fully-packed first date at Comic-Con for her and Syd. However, when their building goes into lockdown, she finds herself trapped in the apartment with nothing else to do but talk. Sadly, Elena’s behavior gives Syd the wrong impression, and visibly upset, they excuse themself. When Elena finds Syd on her balcony, she tries to set the record straight but ultimately lets her lips do the talking. Their first kiss is briefly interrupted by a police officer in a circling helicopter. Still, in their own unique way they manage to recover the magic.

Since Syd identifies as non-binary, the couple searches for a more fitting term to define their role in the relationship. Schneider decides that this is the perfect opportunity to prove he’s an ally and dedicates quite a bit of time to help them find the perfect name. While his suggestions are certainly erm, creative, Syd and Elena unsurprisingly reject every single one. Eventually, they come up with a name of their own - but Schneider’s suggestion of a tiny tweak totally blows their minds. They enthusiastically adopt this new name and go out to celebrate being girlfriend and “Syd-nificant Other”.

Who among us hasn’t felt the anguish of an unrequited crush? For Elena, it’s not just the fear of a possible rejection though - she is also apprehensive about approaching Dani until she is sure that she’s gay too. While Elena is crestfallen to learn that Dani already has a girlfriend, all is quickly forgotten when Syd comes over to ask if she wants to split a cookie. Their first interaction is hilariously and adorably clumsy, but as they fumble their way to the same page, we can see the first glimpses of sparks flying between them.

Elena has barely finished disparaging the tradition of the school dance when there’s a knock on the door. Singing along to a rewrite of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire”, Syd sings about feminist icons, LGBTQ+ culture, their other shared interests, and of course, the cookie that started it all. It’s hard to say if it’s the lyrics, the choreography, or both, but somehow Elena no longer thinks “The Big Ask” is so obnoxious. Syd pours their heart, soul, and a whole lot of energy into this routine. It’s totally fun and cute, much like our favorite adorkable couple.