Key Takeaways:
– Cobra Kai, the successful spin-off to The Karate Kid movies is coming to an end after six seasons.
– The final season, split into three parts, delivers somewhat disappointing and repetitive storylines.
– Despite the shortcomings, the series manages to tie a neat, albeit predictable bow on characters’ arcs.
– The showmakers missed a chance to create a unique and daring finish by sticking to the safer, familiar narrative.
Folks, let’s gather together to wave a nostalgic goodbye to the popular TV series Cobra Kai as it spins its final roundhouse kick. For seven years, across two different streaming platforms, this show gave us a blend of nostalgia and teen drama laced with agile karate moves. Ready for the end? The much-anticipated finale event is about to premiere on Netflix, wrapping up the thrilling tale of Johnny Lawrence that started way back with the 1984 version of the All Valley Karate Tournament.
The final season unfolded over three parts with ten breathtaking episodes leading right up to the grand finale. These episodes brought to a completion Johnny’s full journey and did manage, somewhat, to tie up the stories of all the characters we’ve come to love and, yeah, also those we love to hate. Not everything, however, was rosy with this season. Critics point out repetitive and derivative plotlines that feel a bit disappointing for the Cobra Kai diehards.
Interestingly, the first part of the season saw Miyagi-Do and Johnny’s Cobra Kai dojo teaming up for the first time to prepare for the global Sekai Taikai tournament. The second part of the season found them landing in Barcelona competing against the new Cobra Kai, helmed by Da-eun and John Kreese. Let’s not forget Terry Silver’s Iron Dragons led by Sensei Wolf. Can you feel the tension? By the time Part Two ended, a fierce brawl ended in a major character loss, leaving viewers on tenterhooks.
Skipping ahead to Part Three, things really start to heat up as Johnny and Daniel, those endearing rivals we know too well, face uncertain futures both on and off the mat. Drama, guys! As old secrets and discrepancies surface, they confront challenges, and we wonder, what lies ahead for our Karate heroes? This drama is further fueled by the highlight on characters like Robbie, Tory, Miguel and Sam, and their competitive rivalry with Axel and Zara.
As always, the iconic messaging in this series doesn’t shy away: it’s about perseverance, balance, and of course, some good ‘ol sweep-the-leg action. But sadly, not all is perfect in this dojo. Several characters get side-lined, with minimal screen time, leaving fans unhappy and feeling cheated. Also, the romantic storylines and rivalries quickly wrap up, and it seems like the sense of ‘rushed storytelling’ prevails, leading to the season’s downturn.
Nevertheless, as we neared the end, the spotlight returned to our principal character, Johnny Lawrence. As we flash through his journey of redemption, the final episode rightly gave William Zabka the grand showcase his character deserves! But here’s the tricky bit: all these epic moments, the iconic music from The Karate Kid and the nostalgia-packed narratives couldn’t quite live up to the anticipation, as viewers felt they had to wait a smidge too long for all of it to fall into place.
The finale, although hitting right points with its references and archive footage from the movies, lost momentum. It felt like there were too many red herrings and unnecessary fillers padded along the way to maximise viewership. Critics argue the final season could’ve been effectively distilled into five compact episodes with a ton more gusto in what should’ve been an electrifying end to this hit series.
That said, Cobra Kai, even in its final season, remains a charming trip down memory lane. While it may falter, stumble, and even fall flat at times, let’s not forget that it’s a beautiful tribute to a tale we all embraced way back in the 1980s with The Karate Kid. The series may not strike with the intensity of its initial seasons, but it still leaves us reminiscing on its overall contribution as a worthy continuation of a classic.
You can catch the Cobra Kai VI finale event airing on February 13th on Netflix.
