Cobra Kai unleashed its fangs on New Year's Eve to give fans their fourth season.
Eagle Fang and Miyagi Do are trying to work together but the Senseis are of course clashing which puts the students in the middle. Not good when you have the All Valley Tournament round the corner. I'm all for the friendship moments Johnny and Daniel have when they actually agree to something but it is getting very tiring seeing the writers rinse and repeat the moments where they clash to no end and fight it out because their rivalry is too much.
On the topic of the writers, they need to give the females more things to do aside from being the romantic interests and do better on their character development. Amanda seemed to be one of the only ladies who showed character layers going from being an intentional bitch to Tory but pulling back when she realises Tory has issues and trying to help her behind the scenes which Tory somewhat appreciates despite hating Sam so much. Sam of course is working on not letting her guard down after the big fight in season 3 at her house yet she's suddenly instigating the bitch fights when she saw Tory at a friend's birthday party and the latter was dressed up as a mermaid (honestly thought it was a stripper's club from the way the camera was panning the scenes) and also at the after party for Prom.
Actually Cobra Kai, Eagle Fang and Miyagi Do students were provoking each other quite a bit. I was almost team nobody here. Bullying sucks no matter what. Even with the introduction of Kenny Payne who was the younger brother of Shawn that Robby beat up when he spent time in prison. Being teased by Anthony La Russo's friends and then being so triggered after his tournament loss in the finale that he unleashed his fury on Anthony (who did deserve to be suspended unfortunately). I did like Robby's mentoring with Kenny and it was nice to see him do something nice. So will he go rogue on Cobra Kai or is he planning something deep down? The fact he gave away Miyagi Do secrets to Cobra Kai isn't a good move and Daniel of course wasn't happy.
Miguel is probably my favourite male student character and I will never tire of his interactions with Johnny in each episode. He was stuck in the middle between the two Senseis, torn by wanting to impress Daniel because he is dating his daughter but also wanting to be a good student for Johnny. That injury in the finale against Eli was painful. Hearing the tear made me clutch my chest. But in the end the final fight for the boys was round 2 of Eli versus Robby. I hope he finds some closure when he meets his real father.
More nostalgia in the Karate Kid saga comes in the form of Terry Silver, the other co-founder of Cobra Kai. In the beginning, we see he has a new life in a new home and with a new girlfriend. He wants nothing to do with Cobra Kai until Kreese typically shows up at his doorstep to persuade him to help the new students. Of course Silver is reluctant but eventually gives in after a lot of manipulation and 'pep talk' from his captain. Turns out he still is just as psychotic as he was in Karate Kid part 3. It's interesting to see this character overlap with the other Karate Kid alumni like Johnny who has never met him before. I'm trying to wrap my head around Kreese's sudden moment of sympathy in the tournament final and his weakness is Johnny which Silver worked out when he lured Johnny to meet at the old Cobra Kai dojo (Kreese was not aware he would do that). I can see he always saw Johnny as his no 1 student/champion/prized student so perhaps it stems from that mostly.
I would say the biggest kick in the face in the finale was how Terry Silver paid the umpires to let Cobra Kai cheat in the tournament and also how he got John Kreese arrested by the police with the reluctant help of Season 2 joke character Stingray/Raymond (a drunk Terry Silver beat the hell out of him yikes). I shook my head when I saw him again but the moment where he fought his neighbour for crashing the after party at his sister's house was pleasant so we can let him off for that. But Raymond is just a sad reminder of what people his age/my age group would be perceived as if we did not find our way or purpose in life. By all means headbang to the 80s metal because I've listened to it now and then but not being as successful or having settled down like 'normal' people do is a bit embarrassing. It's also nobody's business so we just have to work on our life successes without being judged.
So here is what I am hoping for in season 5
- After seeing Chozen return in the finale, this may make the battle against Cobra Kai more exciting
- Will Tory question Terry Silver's teachings if Kreese is in jail? Will she reach out to Sam and be friendlier?
- Miguel to meet his father and get the closure he wants if he can't get that fatherly bond with Johnny
- Sam to honour both her Eagle Fang and Miyagi Do trainings and get better storyline (all the girls deserve it)
- Robby and Johnny to have more father to son interactions after Robby broke down in the finale
- Kenny to not go down the dark path under Cobra Kai
Trailer for season 4 can be seen below:-