Cobra Kai: The Final Episodes

Cobra Kai closes out the series with this final batch of five episodes. I am pleased to say that the team behind it, against all odds, brings the show back into a balance that would make Mr. Miyagi proud. I will preface this review by saying that I am going to avoid getting too specific at risk of spoilers.

When we last left our main characters, all was not well. After tragedy struck during a fight in the last go-round, everyone has been reluctant to return to the Sekai Takai tournament in Barcelona. Of course some of them, including Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) and John Kreese (Martin Kove), still have some tactics up their sleeves to manipulate people into returning. But Daniel and Johnny are not the only ones who refuse to have any more venom from these two cobras. Several students are unwilling to participate again. But anyone familiar with the show by now will know well that the respective dojos will all return to the mat to finish what they started.

Suffice to say that the first two episodes in particular suffer from the same problems that have plagued previous seasons and the first two-thirds of this grand finale. By now, the cast has grown so large that it is impossible to name every player here. There is more manufactured drama, including old rivalries that were previously settled rekindled, misunderstandings among friends and love interests alike, and subplots that are ludicrous even for this series. A prime example of this is a training exercise involving a virtual reality simulator programmed by a student, and it is beyond ridiculous even in a series that often embraces a certain amount of cheesiness. Worse yet are the attempts to expand the lore as Daniel is haunted by Miyagi’s secrets, especially in a nightmare where his old sensei appears to him, replicated using AI in a downright bad decision.

Nevertheless, in the last three episodes, the writers seem to remember what made Cobra Kai work so well in the first place. Yes, the fights are well-choreographed. But perhaps just as important–if not more–is making these conflicts feel earned and allowing everyone with a prominent arc their time in the spotlight. The latter is especially true of William Zabka as Johnny, who has been seeking redemption since the start. And he’s without question the MVP of the show, able to showcase an incredible range of emotions while retaining a sense of humor. Ralph Macchio as Daniel is also fantastic in his iconic role, and he is likewise given a satisfying and emotional sendoff. Other prominent characters including Tory (Peyton List), Johnny’s original pupil Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), Robby (Tanner Buchanan), and Sam (Mary Mouser) are also given not just great closure but are all terrific. It is the quieter moments between characters that make a bigger impact than a showdown aboard a yacht that is on fire. Bombastic set pieces and even the world tournament that is central to the plot here are not where the strengths of this show lie.

As uneven as this final season has been, I am thankful that we get a resolution that packs an emotional wallop as much as a crane-kick to the head. There are plenty of stand-up-and-cheer moments, as well as tear-jerking ones. There are also some genuine laughs to be had, and the show leans hard into nostalgia. There is a Rocky reference made, followed by a training montage set to “You’re the Best Around” (one of many needle-drops here). Die-hard fans of the original Karate Kid movies and this series should walk away happy. The journey has been hard, but it’s definitely worth the destination, all things considered.

Rated TV-14