Cobra Kai never dies!

Cobra Kai’s first season was a complete surprise for me. Well, not a complete surprise. I’d heard it was good, great even, and with four seasons under its belt – and a fifth on the way – there was reason to believe the hype. But nothing prepared me for just how much I would enjoy this show.

I worked my way through the first season fairly quickly, an easy enough task given the show’s nicely timed episodes of around half an hour apiece. The ten episodes just whizzed by. And I am absolutely ready for more. But before I delve into the next season, here are my thoughts on season one of Cobra Kai – and why you should definitely watch it.

First off, I’m not a Karate Kid fan. I mean, I think I watched one or two of them as a kid, and I certainly know who Mr. Myagi is. I don’t dislike the movies, they were just a little before my time. It’s a refreshing surprise that this series isn’t just a reboot or jaded sequel to those popular ‘80s movies. Instead, this show feels like the perfect fit for a continuation of the story, albeit 30 years later.

The characters are excellent, each and every one of them. The story centers on Johnny Lawrence, a middle-aged man who was once the pride of the Cobra Kai dojo. If you’ve seen the movies, he was the one who went up against the actual Karate Kid – Daniel Larusso – and lost. He was the antagonist of the story, the bully, who was shown his place by Daniel and Mr. Miyagi’s more balanced art of fighting. It turns out there’s much more to this character, and this series explores his depth.

Johnny is a washed up, disgruntled man with no money and no prospects, working side jobs for rich people and gaining little respect in return. It’s only by chance that his neighbor – a teenager who sees Johnny in action when some bullies pick on him – asks for his help to learn how to fight back. He reluctantly agrees, and Cobra Kai is born again.

You see, the Cobra Kai of the 1980s is dead, disbanded after being defeated. The sensei of that era was a mean guy who pushed his students too far. One of the most interesting aspects of this show is the way it paints Johnny as more than just a bully. Sure, he’s rough and tough, but he’s by no means a two-dimensional character. He has his own issues, his own motivations and reasons for being the way he is. And he’s actually not a bad guy. He may be washed up, but this season is all about his resurgence and even redemption, as well as that of Cobra Kai.

The writing is a delight, with sharply written lines that convey heart and humor in equal amounts. It relies on the past at times, with adequate flashbacks that add value to the story while filling in the gaps for those unfamiliar with the movie – like yours truly. It never feels over the top or contrived, it’s never corny, cheesy, or anything other than part of a good story.

Daniel Larusso features prominently in this show as well. In contrast to Johnny, Daniel has grown into a successful businessman, selling cars with a smile – and a sidekick. Yes, he relies on his own Karate Kid fame to sell cars, and at first it might seem like it’s all gone to his head. It’s this twist that adds such entertainment to the show, turning the very concept of good vs. evil on its head. Everything we’ve known about who’s good and who’s bad, and whether those labels are really so black and white, is questioned.

I don’t want to go into spoilers, because the goal of this article is to convince you to watch the show. I would like to describe a few other characters, though. Daniel’s wife is just perfect, the sort of person who doesn’t fit into a set mold. Instead of being a typical blond bombshell, she’s the CEO of Daniel’s company, a woman who works hard and loves her family. She seems like the sort of woman I’d like to be. 

We also meet Daniel’s two children. His son is addicted to video games, exemplifying quite the opposite of Daniel’s own philosophy on life and being physically active. His daughter, Sam, is in high school and suffers from a questionable taste in choosing her friends. Her arc is an interesting one as she watches her father rediscover karate, something they used to enjoy together when she was younger. I enjoyed watching her learn more about who she is and the values she believes in, and I’m excited to see where this takes her next season.

There’s also a touching tribute to Mr. Miyagi, since the actor who played him has passed away in real life. His teachings are still relevant to Daniel today, although he may have temporarily lost his way. This is another aspect of the show that I love – it highlights the journey of more than one person. Although the central character is Johnny, especially at the beginning, we learn more about Daniel, his family, and meet a few new faces along the way. 

The rivalry between Johnny and Daniel is strong even 30 years later, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next few seasons. A surprise return at the end of season one highlights the success of Cobra Kai, but also what that might mean for its future. Johnny’s teaching methods are questionable at best, but that’s all he knows, and – for better or worse – there’s no denying they work. But at what cost? What if the bullied become the bullies, the very thing they hated? These are the kinds of questions raised during the show, and it makes for extremely entertaining and addictive viewing.

Now, excuse me while I continue my foray into the world of Cobra Kai with season two.