Nothing good ever lasts forever. The ubiquitous message is especially true for shows that are extended for many seasons, like “Cobra Kai” was. The sixth season of the sequel-based series was released in three parts, totaling 15 episodes to finish the storyline.
Sadly but understandingly, there are no plans for a seventh season as “creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg confirmed that Season 6 would be the show’s final chapter” in 2023.
The premise of “Cobra Kai” was to resume the prolonged rivalry between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, dating back to the 1984 film, The Karate Kid. LaRusso humbles Lawrence in the All-Valley individual tournament final after all the ruthless stunts that were pulled on him when he moved into town.
Decades have passed and Lawrence is struggling to find his footing—currently unemployed and constantly haunted by his past. On the other hand, LaRusso and his wife successfully own their own car dealership and are raising two children.
With no clear path in sight, the former two time All-Valley champion was hopeless. That was until one particular night when he was getting a slice of pizza at a convenience store and he fought off a group of bullies that picked on the boy that lived in the apartment next to him. Miguel Diaz would become his student the following day.
The encounter between the neighbors revived the legacy of “Cobra Kai”, the dojo Lawrence fought under. He opened up the dojo in a rental space and trained students who were victims of ridicule and sought defense for themselves. Lawrence himself mocked his trainees, but never gave up on them.
The revitalization of the trauma that LaRusso endured in the past motivated him to resort back to the philosophical teachings of his sensei, Mr. Miyagi. He passes on his karate background to his daughter, Sam and Lawrence’s juvenile son, Robby.
This show had it all. From the dojo brawls to Miguel going into a coma to Robby reconnecting with his father, it was nothing short of pure entertainment. The plot twists brought another dimension to the storyline, especially bringing back familiar faces of Kreese, Silver, Chozen and Barnes.
“Cobra Kai” grew significant traction during the pandemic, attracting those searching for a binge-worthy and nostalgic narrative. The first few seasons certainly fulfilled the grand expectations of intrigued viewers. However, the storyline was drawn out and the acting became underwhelming.
Noticeably, the fighting choreography was substandard. Comparing the scenes from the previous seasons, it felt obvious who would come out victorious. As the characters developed, the focus shifted to covering different aspects of their life, deducting the moments of violence and drama. The last episode fully demonstrates this, focusing on the teens going off to college.
Overall, “Cobra Kai” is a terrific show. I had no idea what to expect when watching the first episode, but I loved it. Even without following the “Karate Kid” series, I found the show amusing. It checks all the boxes of being humorous, suspenseful, dramatic and cheesy. Each component was employed appropriately.
The writers and actors failed at satisfying the majority of viewers’ ideal conclusion. It seemed slightly rushed, yet flawlessly executed given the point in time of the lives of the characters. The finale emphasized wrapping up on a high note, which I appreciated.
There are several indications of a potential spinoff, picking up where the finale left off on different characters’ futures. If those are in the works, I hope the writers continue building off this masterpiece and keep the overarching themes that make the show unique.
