While Johnny and Daniel’s rivalry seemed to have been squished this season, tensions between the younger fighters in Cobra Kai seemed to rise to the point of never going back. Netflix released Cobra Kai season three on January 1st and let me tell you, it’s the perfect way to ring in 2021. Having just binged season three, I can tell you it was epic! Not only did Cobra Kai keep the same energy and quality from the previous two seasons, but it expanded on that. Epic fight scenes, great dialogue, a fantastic storyline, and moments that were just too good to put into words. While there was a moment I didn’t know where a season four would go, the last minute or two perfectly set up the showdown we can expect next season.
Very, Very Slight Spoilers
Season three begins how you’d imagine it. Johnny feeling innately responsible for what happened to Miguel. And Miguel recovering from his massive injury. Some of the best scenes this season came from Miguel and Johnny’s time together. It had nothing to do with fists or dojos – just this father/son bond that was so incredibly tangible. Johnny and Miguel’s relationship is so great that you really forget that Johnny has a biological son. In fact, at times; the show kind of forgot about Robby (I was perfectly okay with it).
There were so many moving parts in season three. Since the season just came out, it’s important I don’t spoil a thing. But, I want to talk about how well the show really fleshes characters out. How it perfectly incorporates aspects from the original Karate Kid film series with the modern story. I highly, highly enjoyed Daniel’s trip to Japan and the lessons he learned from being reunited with Kumiko and Chozen. They were nice pauses in the overall storyline that ended up playing a huge part later down the line.
Blasts From the Past
Speaking of blasts from the past – I’m sure we were all wondering how Ali friend request to Johnny would play out in season three. While not as big as some might have thought, it was also not as small as it seemed it would be as the episodes kept going. Bringing Ali into the mix was for a reason I did not see. While I worried about her presence and how that would affect anything [spoilers?] brewing between Johnny and Carmen, Ali might have been the piece of the puzzle needed for Daniel and Johnny to put their decades-old rivalry to bed.
There Was a Lot of Tension This Season
Season three ripped a lot of people apart and it seemed as if there would never come a point where relationships could be mended. The damage seemed to have already been done and I feared that perhaps karate really was to blame. The final episode, in many ways; seemed slightly over the top. But, it was a turning point for many characters and I feel we are at this extremely cathartic place that we’ve been working towards since season one. The final minute or so of the season was so good and the emotions were all there. It hit me in the feels in all the right places.
Rating: 5/5
It really is hard to believe that Cobra Kai can continue to be this good. But, it really is. Every character, every storyline is done so well. And Cobra Kai is the opportunity for it to course-correct characters and storylines from the movies. To think that we could have such a beautiful scene between Daniel and one of his oldest rivals from the second Karate Kid film. Or that we’d have some insight on why John Kreese is who he is. Johnny Lawrence has never been better and I think Daniel is learning a lot about himself and both men are at a good place with leaving the past in the past. Miguel, Sam, Hawk, and everyone else really break the mold of typical teen dramas. While I don’t understand why the show felt like not including Aisha and I’m not a fan of Robby, I think season three was a near-perfect season. And for that, I have to give season three of Cobra Kai a 5 out of 5.
Cobra Kai season three made me smile, cry, pump my fist in the air, and even get angry at some points. It told a great story and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
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A girl with too many fandoms to count.
