That is it. After six years and 6 seasons (the final one cut up into three components), “Cobra Kai” has lastly arrived at its closing episodes. Although individually, the three components of season 6 felt gradual and incomplete, collectively they make for the most effective seasons of the present, notably as a result of half 3 has a few of the finest episodes in all the present. (In different phrases, Netflix most likely should not have cut up all of them up like this.)
“Cobra Kai” has come a great distance. It survived skepticism and the lack of its authentic launch platform to develop into the most effective reveals of the previous few years, and the most effective legacy sequels, interval. It’s actually gorgeous that this present — which began out as a extra grounded and dramatic model of a joke from “How I Met Your Mom” — would find yourself not simply doing a really efficient reboot of “The Karate Child” starring a brand new era of karate lovers, but in addition serving because the dream sequel to the primary three “Karate Child” motion pictures. Prior to now six years, we have seen Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) argue and bicker like an outdated married couple earlier than finally changing into good associates. They’ve even teamed up with different antagonists, Chozen (Yuji Okumoto) and Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan), to struggle each John Kreese (Martin Kove) and Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith).
“Cobra Kai” is a present that has all the time understood how and when to do fan service, leaning into nostalgia with a purpose to say one thing new about beloved characters, and echoing the previous with a purpose to discover new tales. In its closing episodes, “Cobra Kai” turns all the things to 11 and delivers 5 hours stuffed with the wildest moments not simply within the present, however the franchise at massive.
Cobra Kai confronts the previous in its closing episodes
Half 2 of season 6 left off after the Sekai Taikai was interrupted by a violent brawl that resulted in an sudden and tragic loss of life. The brand new episodes choose up shortly thereafter, with the event formally canceled and everybody nonetheless reeling from the violent occasions and from having their likelihood at glory taken from them. That’s till Terry Silver (after all, who else?) schemes his approach into arranging the remainder of the event to play out anyway — this time at the acquainted location that when hosted the 1984 All-Valley Event.
Not everyone seems to be on board. For one, John Kreese will not be taken with having one other considered one of his college students killed. Herein lies arguably the most important shock and the perfect storyline of the season, as we see a radically totally different Kreese, one that’s totally shocked by the loss of life of Kwon. What follows is the fruits of the themes of all the franchise, that of the connection between academics and college students, and the way the faults of the instructor influence their college students. Martin Kove does a spectacular job portraying Kreese’s disaster of religion, reflecting on his previous actions and whether or not there’s a area for him on this world of karate.
This theme additionally extends to Daniel and Johnny. The previous lastly will get a decision to the season-long thriller of Miyagi’s previous, which has been and stays underwhelming. Certain, it’s fascinating for the present to argue that Miyagi was no saint, and to see Daniel come to phrases with the truth that his mentor was a flawed man, however to make it a thriller field factor all through all the season made the decision come throughout as underwhelming.
The ultimate episodes of Cobra Kai ship
If half 3 of “Cobra Kai” season 6 makes one thing clear, it is that this present has all the time been the journey of William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence. Zabka will get the large highlight these final 5 episodes, doing a little career-best work as Johnny confronts his demons, the injury Kreese has performed to him, and his insecurities, whereas additionally recognizing his achievements and the way far he is come.
“Cobra Kai” has all the time been good at understanding find out how to weaponize nostalgia in the best methods, and the ultimate episodes are all about trying again so you may look ahead. There are many references, homages, direct callbacks, and outright recreations of moments from the very first “Karate Child” in these episodes, and so they by no means really feel just like the writers nodding on the viewers.
As a substitute, the references are there to say one thing about each the previous and the current, to point out the development the characters have been to. With out spoiling any surprises, let’s simply say that the ultimate episodes of “Cobra Kai” are a fan’s desires come true, and the fruits of six years’ price of incomes the best callbacks on the proper time. When the second of reality got here for this present, it proved that it was the perfect round.
/Movie score 8 out of 10
“Cobra Kai” season 6 half 3 is streaming on Netflix beginning February 13, 2025.
