The latest season of the Karate Kid sequel show is on Netflix. To put it in a few words, it’s excellent and is a must watch.
Cobra Kai’s fifth season breaks tradition with the last two outings, which have premiered at year’s end, with a September debut and a conclusion that, for the first time, feels like default closure should the series not return for another run. It’s because of things feeling a little too neat and tidy come the finish line that Season 5 feels a little less organic than what’s preceded it. That being said, in true Cobra Kai fashion, there are still plenty of crowd-pleasing moments, an abundance of heart-melting sentiment, and some joyous usage of franchise legacy characters that help make these 10 “summer break” episodes most triumphant.
Picking up from the cliffhanger ending of the fourth season, the series wastes no time and dives head first into the drama that unfolds after the All Valley tournament finale where Terry Silver’s dojo ends up winning it all. The series casts some great actors in its ensemble including Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, The official synopsis of the series reads, “Following the shocking results of the All Valley Tournament, Sensei Terry Silver is expanding the Cobra Kai empire and trying to make his “No Mercy” style of karate the only game in town. With Kreese behind bars and Johnny Lawrence setting karate aside to focus on repairing the damage he’s caused, Daniel LaRusso must call on an old friend for help.” As for the two leads, Johnny goes through some major development that promises even more growth for a character who’s already come an unbelievably long way. In fact, in a compelling paradigm shift, Johnny is the one who’s got it together, while Daniel struggles under Terry’s reign of terror. It’s a relief to see the events of The Karate Kid 3 treated as a genuinely traumatizing experience for Daniel, too, which makes for a more complex and interesting story for Macchio’s Karate Kid, while also making Silver even more of a dangerous threat.
Cobra Kai continues its winning ways with this season featuring Terry Silver as the karate kingpin to topple. Whereas Kreese knew his way around Johnny’s mind, Terry knows how to manipulate Daniel and Season 5 has fun with honoring The Karate Kid Part III in numerous, awesome ways.There are elements of the finale that don’t gel, but overall Cobra Kai is still filled with heart, humor, and a staggering amount of franchise love, as if the entire show was designed to help us understand and forgive all ’80s movie bullies while also taking stock of our own actions. It’s not enough that past villains heal here; some get to thrive and find their own happy endings.
All the Cobra Kai calling cards are still here – Rocky references, epic needle drops, karate battles, and Miyagi wisdom – but season 5 takes fresh, bold strides towards the future. Once the season finds its footing, it’s another rock-solid installment in the Karate Kid saga. There’s also a jaw-dropping, air-punching finale so good that it’s easily the best episode of the series yet. And, yes, there are some major teases of unresolved plot threads that would need at least one more season to tie together… Here’s hoping Netflix allows Cobra Kai to return for its victory lap.
click the link below to watch the trailer.
https://youtu.be/sUR9PYwlNaA
