Breaking Down Cobra Kai Season 1-With Spoilers!
It is no secret that I really enjoyed the first season of Cobra Kai. I was thrilled to see that they not only brought the original characters back but also made a flat-out fantastic show! You can listen to a spoiler-free discussion I had with Sensei Jeremy Lesniak and Master Brendan Goodall over at whistlekick Martial Arts Radio to hear more.
Since we have until May of this year before we get to see where Cobra Kai will take its characters, I want to take the time to put down my thoughts on the first season as I watched the episodes. This will be a bit more of a stream-of-consciousness approach. While this will just be my thoughts as I watched the episodes, make sure you let me know what your thoughts are down in the comments section. I would love to have a conversation with you about the show and its characters. I will be posting the links to the previous reviews as new episode reviews are posted.
Previous Episode Reviews
THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!!!!!
If you have not seen the episode being reviewed here, please do so and then come back to this review to get involved in the discussion.
Hell Yes! Training Montage!!!!
-Set to 80’s music, covers lots of Miguel getting better. ‘Nuff said!
-Then it’s hilariously brought to a screeching halt by Johnny subletting the dojo to a Yoga group!
Lobsters at the Country Club
-Daniel working behind the scenes to stop Johnny’s studio is an interesting angle. He looks like he is a little too comfortable working with a guy he clearly doesn’t like, but needs.
-Ah, so Daniel wants to buy the strip mall that Johnny’s studio is in! Smooth, acting like he didn’t already know he was talking to the owner of the strip mall.
-Aaaaaannndd, cue another scene with Anthony in it. Admittedly, Anthony sticks up for his dad admirably in some “My Dad, Your Dad” back and forth. I still have no idea what his purpose is to do on the show besides eating too much food and being a spoiled rotten child in general. If he was deleted from the show, what would change I ask? Wow, I really hope they are playing the long game here.
Double Abandonment
-Wow, no wonder Robby is such a messed up kid. We got a hint in the last episode, but his mom’s excuses for not spending time with her son, when he is so obviously trying to have a connection, hits home here.
-I liked that Robby was a bit surprised that his dad cared enough to confront his mom. Still though, they have both done a pretty terrible job as parents.
Aisha
-I literally laughed out loud when Johnny explained that there were no girls in Cobra Kai for the same reasons that there are no women in the army!
-I loved the back and forth with Johnny and Miguel, with Miguel talking some sense into Johnny. Hello? Paying customer here!
-Haha, yes! QUIET!!!
-Interesting seeing current-day bullying from an old-school bully. Hilarious that he thought there was honor and respect when he was “Teasing” people when he was in school.
Not Quite Victory
-Daniel is pushing too hard for the strip mall in Reseda, and Armand sniffed it out.
-Pretty smooth of Daniel to suggest that Armand isn’t charging enough rent.
-Yeah, don’t let that guy back into any country club or gym. Ugh!
Former Friends
-Character reinforcement for Yasmine and Moon with the homeless lady, and not making eye contact
-Sam gets a rude awakening as she finds out that Kyler spread salacious lies about her all over school.
-Sam also learns that her friendship with Yasmine and Moon wasn’t real. About time!
Back To The Dojo!
-Nice! Aisha can give as good as she gets! Loved the knee drop on Miguel!
-Well, Daniel’s planned vengeance against Johnny seems to have some collateral damage as other tenants are getting squeezed for more rent money from Armand.
Robby’s Mom
-That line about Johnny seeing Robby’s mom definitely left a mark on Robby. It got him thinking about his dad more.
-Especially since his mom comes home drunk with another one night stand. That’s just creepy.
Rent’s Gone Up
-Johnny trying to hock his junk is funny, but also shows just how desperate he has gotten to keep his studio alive.
-Nothing more depressing looking than a beerless fridge.
-Daniel makes it known, subtly, that he was responsible for the rent going up.
-I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Amanda is one of the best characters on the show. I loved how she called Daniel out on his B.S. with Johnny and the rent fiasco. Boom. Roasted.
Showdown at the O.K. Cafeteria
-Sam is getting a taste of the non-popular life with being shut out by friends, old and new.
-Looked like Sam was about to give Kyler a taste of what she’s capable of, but…
-Miguel layed down the law on Kyler and his goons, and everybody in the cafeteria saw! Additionally, it looks like Sam was impressed.
-Johnny is so surprised, and proud, of Miguel doling out butt whoopings that he gives him his old gi!
-Bad time for Robby to come around the corner to see his dad though.
Strong Roots
-I absolutely love Daniel returning to Mr. Miyagi’s grave to try to re-discover the balance that he has thoroughly lost.
-Loved the hints of the old score from the original movie in the background here too.
-That bow was almost too much for me. Right in the feels.
-Great use of a flashback as well.
Back In Business?
-Johnny has a throng of eager new students because of Miguel’s strong performance.
-And Daniel is getting his dojo(mojo) back.
-Robby is up to something, trying to get hired with LaRusso Auto Group
Wrap-Up
-Wow, what a finish with the original score coming in strong while Daniel puts on his old bandana and works out his kata. Gave me chills!
-This was a packed episode with a lot of character development, and direction changes for many of the characters.
-Excellent use of a flashback for Daniel with Mr. Miyagi
QUIET!! Counter- 2
-Thank you, and I better hear some more of that next episode too!
What did you think? Did you love hearing the old score come back? Did you enjoy seeing Miguel get the best of his tormentors? Or maybe you just liked Aisha’s knee drop? Let me know in the comments below.
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Often with streaming shows nowadays, there aren’t episode-by-episode recaps, since people tend to binge through. If there are recaps, they tend to be brief, vague, or vindictive. (Oh, the futility of “Hate Watching.”)
Tonight, then, when I discovered your site five episodes into Cobra Kai’s first season, it was a revelation. The recaps were thorough, specific, upbeat, and critical when called for. (Anthony as a character so far? Why?) Primarily, though, the recaps were positive, a welcome approach these days and one that fits Karate Kid.
My favorite insight of yours so far was in this one from episode two: “Very interesting to see that Daniel, despite being a full-grown and successful adult, still approaches the Cobra Kai dojo with trepidation, almost scared. A small but important touch.” I hadn’t noticed that, but it’s definitely true, and it brought me back to the look Daniel had in his eyes at both All Valley tournaments.
One practical question: where are the comments haha? It says “let me know in the comments below,” and at the top it says this episode has two, yet I can’t find comments in any of the first five episodes.
Thanks so much for doing the recaps. Finding them made my day, and I look forward to reading them as I make my way through the rest of the series.