Cobra Kai Recap: Carmen Diaz Got Married

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In numerous aspects, the series “Cobra Kai” revolves around different types of connections: friendships, romances, feuds, and mentorships, with a lot of interplay among each. For the upcoming episode titled “Rattled,” which seems to be the last one before we delve into the Sekai Taikai, the narrative zeroes in on how these fundamental relationships have evolved over time.

To begin with, we find that in this episode, Johnny and Carmen get married and have a child. Admittedly, it feels a bit hurried, but considering these events were on the list for the final season, it’s understandable they’re being addressed now. Rosa’s eagerness is what sets off Johnny’s frenzied wedding planning, as she fears Carmen’s baby might be born into an “immoral household” if they’re not married first. However, this episode isn’t so much about religious beliefs as it is Johnny’s obsession with making the big moment flawless.

He recently reconnects with his longtime friend, Bobby – a former pastor and a softer version of the bully from ‘The Karate Kid’ (played by actor Ron Thomas), who made appearances during seasons two and three. It’s great to see this character return one more time in these final episodes, and his advice is particularly enlightening. Bobby suggests that Johnny should stop procrastinating on his contentment and take action without waiting for perfect conditions. If he continues dwelling on the flawless victory he had at the All-Valley tournament in 1983, he may never truly experience happiness again.

Instead of proposing in the hospital room during Carmen’s contractions, he seizes the moment and asks for her hand in marriage right there. Bobby officiates the ceremony, while Rosa, Miguel, Robby, Daniel, Amanda, and Chozen serve as witnesses. The episode concludes on a heartwarming note when everyone gets to meet baby Laura, named after Johnny’s mother, marking a poignant end to the story.

During Bobby’s talk emphasizing unity amidst both anticipated and unexpected hardships, the scene transitions to depict Eli and Demetri, followed by Sam and Tory. It’s an amusing comparison indeed, but those duos represent their unique love stories, with their highs and lows. This season has been particularly tumultuous for the Binary Bros., but their friendship has grown stronger now, and they’re already arranging to visit each other’s universities while Eli is at Caltech and Demetri is at MIT.

They’re collaborating on an extraordinary AI system, called FIGHT (Fully Integrated Generative Haptic Technology), that assists Robby in training for a fight against Axel. This technology is a karate training program that enables Robby to don VR goggles and see a lifelike version of Axel, while it simulates the karate moves that Axel would likely use, based on recorded footage of his fights. Additionally, it provides an approximation of the chances for Robby to win against his adversary.

After a while using FIGHT, unfortunately, Robby’s chances continue to decline, and he slips back into worry mode. Thank goodness for Miguel, who steps in with a motivational speech that sounds distinctly like Johnny’s, encouraging him by saying “numbers are for cowards” and reminding him of the years of struggle they’ve been through to reach this point. Just as when Miguel motivated him in Barcelona, the impact is genuine because of the years of tension between these two men.

The training sequences involving Sam and Tory in this episode echo previous instances, yet there’s a delightful authenticity in their camaraderie. They casually discuss their past animosity, now acknowledging that teaming up feels right. Remarkably, Sam persuades Tory to participate in the Sekai Taikai, a move I admire – she’s foregoing a secure spot in the finals by supporting her former arch-enemy and current primary rival. Previously, Sam was often seen as a nuisance on Cobra Kai, but she has evolved significantly, making it satisfying to witness her ongoing personal growth. This development is evident in her postgraduate aspirations: She has applied for a year-long program in Okinawa, a fitting tribute to the younger generation preserving the Miyagi legacy.

In the midseason premiere, Tory was absent, so it’s intriguing to learn about her viewpoint now. Whenever she dives deep into karate, it tends to strain her friendships and relationships, which is why she’s considering stepping away completely. However, perhaps the root problem lies in her tendency to isolate herself, as demonstrated by her retreat to Cobra Kai after her mother’s passing. Now, she seems ready to rekindle those friendships without abandoning karate.

In the final pairing of “Rattled”, we have Chozen and Winnie Taylor (played by Elizabeth Berkley), who is Moon’s mother. Daniel and Amanda arrange a wine tasting in Ojai as an attempt to prevent another emotional breakdown from Chozen, who is still grappling with his heartbreak. However, Kumiko has returned with a letter, which only confirms that her affection lies elsewhere. Despite this setup, Chozen isn’t keen on opening himself up to someone new. He behaves rudely towards Winnie regarding her Reiki treatments and tarot readings, but clarifies his attitude when she questions him about it.

Chozen and Winnie eventually bond over their shared fondness for shows like “Storage Wars” and trash reality TV, but I understand that their relationship stays on a platonic level. A tarot reading hints at Chozen’s future, suggesting that someone he knows (other than just Silver) might pass away soon, yet a romantic match awaits him in the future. This thought brings Kim Da-Eun to mind, as they both come from distinct backgrounds and Chozen never believed they would suit each other due to this difference. However, it’s worth noting that Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai have shown signs of intermingling in the past. Winnie, on the other hand, is definitely rooting for a romantic connection between them.

I was glad when the series brought back these characters who were a favorite earlier in the season. Chozan, one of the funniest elements of the show, has truly shone, and this episode serves as a delightful nod to his comedic prowess as we approach the climax.

Mr. Miyagi’s Little Trees

Without many obstacles, Gunther manages to arrange the All Valley arena as the venue for the World Tournament, taking everything into account. He even resorts to a physical altercation to determine who will be the host for the event.

Daniel and Amanda are found enjoying a bottle (or two) of wine, consoling each other about the prospect of losing touch with Sam who is moving away.

John’s approach to each proposal guideline, as shown in the montage, is quite impressive. He seems determined to apply any and every tutorial he finds online.

It seemed quite apparent to me that Carmen’s water was about to break at that exact instant.

For me, the most entertaining moment in that episode was when Chozen made a quip about an Okinawan proverb, “Reiki is nonsense.

Winnie discusses how James Kennedy and Ally Lewber from the show “Vanderpump Rules” recently had a tarot reading, but unfortunately, they split up not long after. Interestingly, Kennedy was arrested on domestic-violence charges last month, leading some to support Chozen’s view that tarot may not be accurate or reliable in predicting future events.

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2025-02-13 21:55