What I'm Watching: Cobra Kai (Season 4)

I had the chance to review the entire fourth season of “Cobra Kai” for CinemaDailyUS.com - head over there to read my take on the complete fourth season.

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai (Season Finale)

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 10 “December 19” (B)

I guess I had seen all the “previously on” footage from season two of all the drop-kicking and serious injury perpetrated and received by these teenagers, but this season spared most of that aside from Demetri having his arm brutally broken. That was far from the case this time, as the two dojos came together to try to find common ground only to have their space literally invaded by Cobra Kai, who came explicitly to hurt them. It was good to see Hawk opt to switch sides at just the right moment and come to the defense of his old friends, and fortunately that change happened before either Sam or Tory got seriously hurt. The flashbacks to Vietnam and Kreese making the choice to throw his abusive captain to the wolves, or snakes, in this case, were informative as to why he believed that it’s kill or be killed, which makes for an absolutely destructive attitude that he’s trying to impart to the next generation. Fortunately, after some pettiness and then a pep talk from Ali, Daniel and Johnny saw fit to bury the hatchet and join forces, first to stop Kreese and then to train their students together so that they stand a fighting chance to settle things in competition, if Kreese is going to keep to that deal he made. Unfortunately, Robby didn’t come back with them, which sets up some continued conflict for season four. I still don’t see why this show earned a Best Comedy Series nomination, but it’s decent light entertainment that I wouldn’t mind continuing to watch when season four premieres in December.

Season grade: B-
Season MVP: Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 9 “Feel the Night” (B)

I can’t say I have many memories of the movies that spawned this show, but I do remember Elisabeth Shue from another 80s classic, the “Back to the Future” sequels, and she was also the star of the one and only film I ever worked on as a production assistant. It was interesting to see Ali return and show a softer side of Johnny, one who ordered something vegan and mature-sounding to impress her only to have her laugh it off and order a burger for herself. It’s not great timing for the two of them to potentially get together given the fact that Johnny and Carmen just slept together, and the quick end of that relationship likely wouldn’t go over well with Miguel. He did get to a good point with Sam, however, even earning what counts as approval from Daniel, who in his old-fashioned way just doesn’t want his daughter’s life to be complicated. The fact that Johnny saw Daniel hugging Ali at the party means that there’s yet another opportunity for old grudges to resurface, and Johnny isn’t good at letting anything go. Stealing a live snake from a zoo feels like a distinctly Cobra Kai thing to do since it’s dangerous and wholly unnecessary, and Robby managed to ingratiate himself very quickly with the group, something that did not make Hawk happy at all. Forging divisions among the “bad guys” might otherwise be considered a positive step, but in this case, it’s likely to make them even more vengeful and likely to do something violent.

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 8 “The Good, The Bad, and The Badass” (B)

I really have a hard time believing, once again, that Kreese is so willing to say what he needs to in order to convince people in power that he’s a good person but that he teaches only viciousness to his students. If he was going to try that hard to get people to let him do what he wants, what is he actually trying to achieve? I’m also, eight episodes in, not quite understanding how this is a comedy series, because while most of the lines that come out of Johnny’s mouth are intended to showcase his lack of seriousness and maturity, everything else that’s going on is pretty dramatic, if considerably campy. By the end of that city council meeting, all three sensei seemed equally petty and held in poor regard by the council, who only reversed their discussion because of the students who emphasized its impact. It was nice to see the joint passion shared by Sam and Miguel, but of course that connection came at the wrong time when Robby showed up and was then convinced that they were in a relationship, having moved on before he was in prison. That was likely the last straw for him that could have sent him on the right path, and now he’s headed straight for more trouble with Kreese. Somehow, Johnny managed to win Carmen over, which is sure not to last too long, and there’s even a budding relationship between Demetri and Yas that they both aren’t doing a great job of pretending doesn’t exist.

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 7 “Obstáculos” (B)

It’s strange to see the adult characters interacting with the teenage characters in a school setting, though I’m sure that happened during the first two seasons I didn’t watch on a more regular basis. I like the concept that Johnny knows all the ways to sneak into his old high school because he went there, and wasn’t quite as impressed by his choice to confront Hawk in that setting. After a hapless search for cheap real estate resulted in him finding a public park that some rather guy told him was okay to use for free, Johnny did manage to restart his dojo, but Kreese showing up with his entire student body to make Johnny one last offer to team up with him was a decidedly intimidating and aggressive move. It’s baffling to me that Daniel hears what happened to Sam’s friend and then decided to continue training her in karate rather than reporting the fact that a teenager broke another teenager’s arm to authorities, but there’s evidently more going on here. Sam’s nightmare with Tory trying to drown her was quite violent, and hopefully reality won’t be nearly as bad. Demetri had a miserable time with his cast and the relentless mockery he endured, but Yas had a soft spot for him and chose to use the immaturity of her classmates to turn it into something that he could champion as bragging rights rather than a humiliation. I imagine that things are only going to get more intense as the season fast approaches its end.

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 6 “King Cobra” (B)

This episode delved a lot into Kreese’s background and the roots of his complicated morality in his wartime flashbacks featuring Terry Serpico from “The Flight Attendant” and “Army Wives” as his own unforgiving drill sergeant. Bringing in outsiders so that Hawk could show them that they couldn’t mess with him was just his latest questionable teaching practice, one that involved violence and kids getting hurt without much regard for safety and any standards of acceptable behavior. What I didn’t quite buy was that he would file a restraining order against Amanda since that it feels like something that he would consider an unacceptable admission of weakness rather than the shrewd move it was to make Amanda look like she was in the wrong. His tactical stance quickly turned violent again when the eviction plan didn’t pan out. Johnny had mixed success again with Miguel, further injuring him in truly irresponsible ways, but then their activities turned to trying to make Johnny look like a productive member of society, and of course he ended up ignoring all their hard work scripting the perfect message to send a casual hello instead. I’m looking forward to seeing Elisabeth Shue – she was the star of a film I got to intern on years ago before I decided to start writing about movies instead of working on them, and I’ve always been a fan of hers from another famous 80s movie (or rather, two movies): as Jennifer in “Back to the Future II” and “Back to the Future III.”

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 5 “Miyagi-Do” (B)

Things can get pretty violent on this show, as was the case here with the antics at Chris’ work and Robby’s seemingly successful effort to prove that he shouldn’t be picked on in jail. It is true that Hawk and his minions started things by stealing a bunch of prizes while Chris was working, and Samantha’s revenge plan could have worked if Tory hadn’t shown up to terrify her into freezing. Amanda was rightfully angry, and marching right into Kreese’s dojo and slapping him when he tried to talk down to her was about the most aggressive response she could have made without crossing the kind of line that he far too frequently crosses. Johnny’s methods are both archaic and generally counterproductive, resulting in Miguel falling again and nearly got set on fire, but somehow he did achieve one aim and got him to start tapping his foot, which both he and his mother were elated to see. Daniel had a similarly hopeful time in Japan meeting with his former nemesis, whose perspective has evolved much more than Johnny’s has, and he even got to experience some true nostalgia by remembering key Mr. Miyagi moments and seeing how his legacy lives on in another way in Japan. Meeting the little girl he rescued was the best possible development, since her high-up role at Dayonna means that he actually has a shot at rescuing his business. We’ll see if that’s the top priority when he arrives home and gets filled in by his wife on what he’s missed while he’s been gone.

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 4 “The Right Path” (B)

This episode leaned heavy on the nostalgia, indicating that there really are so many actors eager to get back into the franchise that helped make them famous three decades ago. After his bold action to go to Japan didn’t end up panning out, Daniel did some helpful soul-searching that led him first to the disappointment of seeing an influential place turned into the picture of commercialism but then to Kumiko, who has very happy to see him. Chozen didn’t seem nearly as thrilled, and it seems like Daniel has more to process, definitely emotionally and possibly physically, before he goes home. After failing to get through to his own son, who wanted nothing to do with him, Johnny tried instead to help Miguel, which was met with a bit of hopeful success en route to a reminder that in reality healing may be somewhat more difficult and take longer to achieve. The battle lines are being firmly drawn at the school, with Hawk establishing himself as a true antagonist and villain, destroying the project that Demetri spent weeks working on and then feigning a woke attitude to get himself out of trouble. What I’ve learned so far from this show is that spiritual betterment tends to win out, even if that doesn’t happen right away and is filled with plenty of pain and heartbreak along the way. Knowing that this show is soon coming back for season four, I’m not sure whether that will all be resolved within this season or continue to endure as a conflict going forward.

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 3 “Now You’re Gonna Pay” (B)

I’m doing my best to catch up on all the preexisting dynamics that I would know more about had I invested an additional ten or so hours to watch the first two seasons of this show. Evidently, there was some friction at the LaRusso car dealership, but the well-meaning Daniel and his formidable wife Amanda do inspire loyalty, which in this case helped them win back their ex-employee Anoush and in turn ensure that their number one rival didn’t buy them out. Daniel going to Japan to speak directly with the company that wanted to take their exclusivity elsewhere was a bold move, one that shows his dedication and what he’s willing to do to save his business. Johnny is exhibiting a similar type of commitment to doing the right thing, but unfortunately he’s made enough mistakes in his life that it’s not so easy. Sid certainly wasn’t willing to entertain the thought of doing anything to help him, and the money that Johnny did manage to scramble together earned him gratitude in a pivotal moment in Miguel’s recovery. As if karate wasn’t the cause of enough problems on this show, things appear to be booting back up again, and the fact that it all has to be off-the-record and secretive is only going to make it more potentially dangerous. It’s likely going to get more volatile before it gets better, and someone is going to get hurt again unless adults who actually want to help these kids be safe step in to ensure that there are proper rules and respect in place.

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year. 

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 2 “Nature Vs. Nurture” (B+)

Daniel and Johnny clearly have radically different styles which make them an odd couple when it comes to trying to achieve the same goals, though Daniel knew how to make Johnny’s reputation work for him when he turned his alarmed reaction to Johnny smacking the inmates into a threat to send him back in alone if they didn’t help. Johnny was also very eager to get behind the wheel of the car, and didn’t mind a bit of collateral damage in the process in the form of the side mirror. They did manage to track Robby down in the end, and it’s a good thing that Miguel is conscious again, even if the doctor thinks he may never be able to walk, which will surely spell a grim future for the teen responsible. There’s so much internal conflict among the kids and the adults, but the clear villain here is John Kreese, who weeded out any students he considered weak with that cruel animal food routine. He does have a soft spot for Tory, who’s encountering plenty of troubles of her own, though being in her corner might mean that he’s trying to corrupt her and encourage violent behavior. It does seem that a prowess in karate is the ultimate asset for everyone on this show, able to intimidate bullies and anyone perceived as an enemy with an undeniable demonstration of talent and physical ability, however much its regular use may be officially discouraged by educators and law enforcement in all cases.

Emmy Catch-Up: Cobra Kai

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. Last year, I started watching the entire season of each show to get a better idea of the quality I missed, and I’ve decided to continue that this year.

Cobra Kai: Season 3, Episode 1 “Aftermath” (B)

I had for some reason never seen this show before, missing its pilot back in May 2018 for whatever reason. Right before the Emmy nominations, I decided to watch that first episode just for a sense of what the show was like, and though it didn’t earn a lot of nominations, it did score one in the top category, which means I’m officially on board for season three. The previously on segment was quite intense, with a whole lot of karate and some vicious feuds among teenagers that felt even more intense than the rivalry between Johnny and Daniel. Not much has changed since that first episode with Johnny being covered in blood and always trying to pick a fight that he can’t win, but things have gotten much more serious with his son apparently missing after landing another student in the hospital, and Samantha was apparently involved in an equally violent scuffle. I’m eager to see what it’s like for Johnny and Daniel to spend time together as they go looking for Robby in the hopes of finding him before the police do, and I’m sure it won’t be an entirely pleasant experience. I’ll have to pay attention to context clues to truly understand what else is happening with the other characters, but Daniel saying that they shouldn’t do the “Footloose” equivalent of banning karate was an important point, both because it will never work and also because it’s an outdated concept that doesn’t embrace the positives of the art. This show will take some getting into, but I’m not all that unhappy about starting to watch it.