Key Takeaways:
– Cobra Kai's final season will comprise 15 episodes, divided into three parts.
– The series creators aim for a satisfying conclusion, avoiding a rushed narrative like Game of Thrones.
– The first installment of the final season is set to air tomorrow.
Cobra Kai fans, prepare yourselves for a treat. Tomorrow, the beloved Karate Kid spinoff series is set to release the first part of its much-awaited final season. The creators have unveiled a departure from the traditional 10-episode season, outlining a more expansive narrative with a three-part, 15-episode grand finale to air by 2025.
Unveiling the Rationale for a Three-Part Finale
The curiosity surrounding this shift was addressed by the show's creators, Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg, in a recent exclusive interview with Gizmodo. They divulged their decision to extend the final season beyond the usual 10-episode format, turning it into a three-part saga to ensure a fitting conclusion.
According to Hurwitz, the decision came to life after the end of Season 5. The team felt that limiting the conclusion to just 10 episodes wouldn't do justice to the narrative, while stretching to 20 episodes could seem excessive.
“We knew we were coming in for a landing, but we felt like 10 episodes wasn't enough to wind up all the stories the way we wanted to. And 20 episodes felt like too much,” Hurwitz revealed.
A Poetically Paced Conclusion
The creators also wanted to keep fans engaged, so they decided to release the final season in three stages rather than keeping viewers waiting excessively. According to Hurwitz, the creators generally think of their seasons in two halves, each building up to a significant event. Given this pattern, splitting the 15 episodes into three parts seemed a natural progression.
The decision to opt for a more expansive narrative for the final season was a calculated move from the makers. They recognized the need for a comprehensive wrap-up of the series, ensuring a satisfying conclusion while retaining narrative balance. This fine-tuning was an attempt to steer clear from the pitfalls encountered by other shows with rushed endings – the prime example being “Game of Thrones.”
Learning from the Game of Thrones Misfire
The narrative strategy adopted by Cobra Kai starkly contrasts with the much-criticized conclusion of HBO's hit series, Game of Thrones. Despite its stellar storytelling standards and gripping plot twists, the show fell victim to immense backlash from fans due to its hastily wrapped-up finale.
The creators of Cobra Kai, in their quest to meet their audience's high expectations, explicitly mentioned their desire to avoid a similar fumble with the closure of their series. Their objective was that fans be given enough time and content to savor the final chapters of the iconic spinoff, rather than feeling robbed of a deserving ending.
In the end, it all comes down to striking that delicate balance between providing a comprehensive end to the series without unnecessarily lengthening the narrative. It seems that the creators of Cobra Kai have applied considerable thought and strategy to ensure their show gets the grand departure it truly deserves.
Cobra Kai has undoubtedly set a high bar with its brilliant storytelling and intricate character arcs. If Hurwitz, Heald, and Schlossberg's new plan unfolds as designed, fans could be in for a truly expansive and satisfying finale.
Fans should mark their calendars for July 18, 2024, when the first section of the final season premieres. Only then will they know whether this unique route taken by the makers lives up to the anticipation woven around it.
It's time to buckle up, Karate Kid fans, as we prepare to bid adieu to the epic Cobra Kai series, promising a thrilling conclusion to our beloved characters and narratives. Stay tuned on Netflix!
“Game of Thrones” is available on HBO Max.
