Cobra Kai Series-Finale Recap: Once Upon a Time in the Valley

by

Ultimately, it boils down to Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, the original Karate Kid and his longtime rival. However, I should perhaps not present them in that sequence as it may seem disrespectful to Johnny, who has been a significant character since the beginning of the series. Although he hasn’t always been the main focus, as Daniel took center stage more in season five with his plot-driven stories, while Johnny dealt primarily with family issues. Yet, Johnny embodies the essence of the entire series: an ’80s teenage bully, grappling with a new world that doesn’t tolerate his behavior, transforming from a towering antagonist into a humbled underdog through time, personal struggles, and countless Coors Banquet beers.

The story of the former wayward character, known previously as “Ex-Degenerate”, opens with a reminiscent scene from 2017, just before Johnny crossed paths with Miguel at the start of the series. We see him in a familiar state, trapped in a cycle with no discernible route to a secure and contented life. Given his current circumstances, it’s not surprising that Johnny faces such significant challenges in the present day, as he prepares to confront a man he acknowledges is younger and more powerful than himself. Usually self-assured, even when mistaken, Johnny struggles to concentrate, haunted by past mistakes and fearing that tomorrow will only reinforce his international reputation as a failure.

Since Daniel has become well-acquainted with this individual, he is aware of what words would resonate with him best. On the other hand, although delivering a stunning kick against Sensei Wolf might seem enticing, it’s advisable for Daniel to let his opponent make the first move. In fact, Daniel’s renowned crane kick wouldn’t have been effective if he had initiated the attack. Moreover, Daniel draws inspiration from the conclusion of Rocky to remind Johnny that success isn’t solely defined by winning.

Following a brief, obligatory training session accompanied by “You’re the Best,” we return to the All Valley arena for the fight. Despite his efforts, Johnny isn’t completely free of his apprehensions, and Wolf takes advantage, earning some effortless points – not to mention using some underhanded techniques that don’t contribute to the score but do tire Johnny out. Daniel manages to get him focused again by calling a timeout and drawing on the teachings of Cobra Kai, urging him to discard his fear and pain by telling him to “give this jerk a good thrashing.” Just as in past seasons and particularly over the last few episodes, it’s satisfying to witness Daniel and Johnny adopting each other’s philosophies, transcending the traditional good/evil divide for a more comprehensive and integrated approach.

Starting from here, Johnny makes his expected return, reining himself in slightly when Daniel cautions him about being overly aggressive. Waiting for Wolf to attack first goes against Johnny’s fundamental beliefs, but it serves as the crucial (though perhaps predictable) climax that secures the tournament win and completes his redemption.

In the Johnny and Daniel tales, there’s more to discuss at a later time. For now, let me point out that almost every character in the series experiences a clear, joyful conclusion. Admittedly, I could have used a touch more subtlety here: The four teenage pairs staying together after high school wasn’t strictly necessary, especially Demetri and Yasmine who reconnect in this episode. Additionally, while it’s exciting that Tory receives a job opportunity similar to Zara’s in branding deals, I question the necessity of Robby accompanying him. Earlier in the season, I believed the show was preparing for Robby to abandon his competitive drive following the Sekai Taikai and instead become a karate teacher, which would have aligned with his previous training under Kenny. However, it’s heartening that they will continue to compete and earn money simultaneously. He seems to have proven his guidance counselor wrong!

Instead of expecting bittersweet conclusions and realism from this series, it’s clear that we should embrace its unique style. Rather than drifting apart due to the vast ocean separating them, Miguel and Sam choose a heartwarming reunion where they can both thrive independently – Miguel at Stanford and Sam in Okinawa, with plans for him to accompany her during her initial weeks overseas. The airport scene offers a poignant farewell, particularly as Daniel fights back tears while expressing his immense pride in the person Sam has become.

Overjoyed to see Chozen make an appearance in Korea, joining Kim Da-Eun and her rebuilding dojang! Wishing there had been more interactions between them in these final episodes – Chozen truly highlighted a lively, humorous aspect of her character (and Alicia Hannah-Kim’s impressive portrayal). If only some of the melancholic scenes about Kumiko could have been swapped for more moments with the woman who shares his feelings towards her.

However, who is Mr. Miyagi, the pivotal yet unseen figure in the series? This season, Daniel grapples with his inner turmoil following the revelation of his mentor’s troubled past – initially discovering that he had committed a robbery and assault decades ago, then learning that he accidentally killed an opponent during the Sekai Taikai. In the final episode, Sam’s grandmother gifts her an old necklace upon graduation, which sheds light on the initial incident: After Mr. Miyagi’s wife passed away in the internment camps, a guard stole the family heirloom necklace that he had given her. Seeking to reclaim it, Miyagi encountered the thief, who attacked him. In self-defense, he knocked the man unconscious.

Initially, my response to this disclosure was frustration; however, I found it intriguing how this season challenged the Miyagi legend by emphasizing that even a figure like him wasn’t flawless, and he had hurt people in the past. Tone down his wrongdoings, and the main lesson becomes “Perhaps there’s always another side to the tale,” as Amanda puts it, which I find less captivating. Nevertheless, Miyagi did indeed take a life during the tournament, so maybe the essence of the message is still largely preserved.

Daniel now feels assured and tranquil enough to embrace his role as a sensei, as Amanda informs him. In the concluding sequences, we catch a glimpse of their everyday life: They continue to manage their individual dojos, yet exchange students between them whenever they deem appropriate, instructing both martial arts. Johnny remains somewhat soft-spoken but true to his character, nicknaming one new student “four-eyes” and maintaining his “strike first” approach.

In the final scene, Johnny and Daniel are enjoying a leisurely sushi dinner together, debating student placements for the upcoming All Valley tournament. The camaraderie suggests many more years of friendship and shared lessons ahead. Suddenly, a fly appears, reminding us of the first film where Mr. Miyagi tried to catch a fly with chopsticks, and Daniel succeeded on his very first attempt. For a brief moment, it seems like Daniel might repeat that feat, but Johnny swoops in first to crush the fly. “No mercy,” he says, symbolizing their complex friendship. This moment harks back to an iconic scene from 40 years ago. Fortunately, nostalgia is always welcome in this series, and as they often say, Cobra Kai will never fade away.

Mr. Miyagi’s Little Trees

In the naming of the last two episodes, they mirror the titles of the initial pair from the series: “Ace Degenerate” corresponds to “Ace” and “Strike First” matches “Strike.

• One last appearance from Stingray, who’s teaching a weekend beginners class for Cobra Kai.

It was nice to have Mike Barnes appear early in the season, and I would’ve appreciated another appearance. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to include Hilary Swank from The Next Karate Kid in a cameo, didn’t we? Ah well.

In reality, Miguel received his acceptance letter from Stanford while he was engaged in a contest, not afterwards. This implies that he secured admission based on his personal academic accomplishments alone. While it somewhat lessens the dramatic tension looking back, it’s still commendable that he succeeded under those circumstances.

• Did Rosa smoke a joint before Miguel’s fight, as she did before both previous All Valleys?

Johnny finally managed to secure a home for his family, just as he had hoped! However, he’s a bit puzzled about property taxes, so he’ll need Daniel’s expertise in that area.

As a devoted fan, I found myself yearning to catch up a bit more on the happenings at West Valley High School, particularly with Kenny and Devon, in the recent episodes. Yet, much like Anthony, they’re both deeply invested in Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai, continuing their battles on and off the mat.

Indeed, Ralph Macchio will reappear in the movie “Karate Kid: Legends” this coming May. This film will establish a fresh shared universe based on the Miyagi-verse timeline and the 2010 Jackie Chan remake. While it’s unlikely that there will be significant connections with “Cobra Kai“, given that its creators are not part of this project, we might see some hints or allusions to Daniel’s recent activities.

• Thanks so much for reading my recaps these last few seasons! I’ll miss this crazy show.

Read More

2025-02-15 04:54