The Remaining Episodes Are Some Of The Greatest

That is it. After six years and 6 seasons (the final one break up into three components), “Cobra Kai” has lastly arrived at its last episodes. Although individually, the three components of season 6 felt sluggish and incomplete, collectively they make for among the best seasons of the present, notably as a result of half 3 has a number of the finest episodes in all the present. (In different phrases, Netflix most likely should not have break up all of them up like this.) 

“Cobra Kai” has come a great distance. It survived skepticism and the lack of its unique launch platform to change into among the best reveals of the previous few years, and among the best legacy sequels, interval. It’s actually gorgeous that this present — which began out as a extra grounded and dramatic model of a joke from “How I Met Your Mom” — would find yourself not simply doing a really efficient reboot of “The Karate Child” starring a brand new technology of karate fanatics, but in addition serving because the dream sequel to the primary three “Karate Child” films. Prior to now six years, we have seen Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) argue and bicker like an previous married couple earlier than ultimately turning into good associates. They’ve even teamed up with different antagonists, Chozen (Yuji Okumoto) and Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan), to combat each John Kreese (Martin Kove) and Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith).

“Cobra Kai” is a present that has at all times understood how and when to do fan service, leaning into nostalgia with a purpose to say one thing new about beloved characters, and echoing the previous with a purpose to discover new tales. In its last episodes, “Cobra Kai” turns every little thing to 11 and delivers 5 hours filled with the wildest moments not simply within the present, however the franchise at massive. 

Half 2 of season 6 left off after the Sekai Taikai was interrupted by a violent brawl that resulted in an surprising and tragic demise. The brand new episodes decide up shortly thereafter, with the match formally canceled and everybody nonetheless reeling from the violent occasions and from having their likelihood at glory taken from them. That’s till Terry Silver (after all, who else?) schemes his manner into arranging the remainder of the match to play out anyway — this time at the acquainted location that when hosted the 1984 All-Valley Match.

Not everyone seems to be on board. For one, John Kreese shouldn’t be keen on having one other one among his college students killed. Herein lies arguably the largest shock and one of the best storyline of the season, as we see a radically totally different Kreese, one that’s totally shocked by the demise of Kwon. What follows is the end result of the themes of all the franchise, that of the connection between lecturers and college students, and the way the faults of the instructor influence their college students. Martin Kove does a spectacular job portraying Kreese’s disaster of religion, reflecting on his previous actions and whether or not there’s a house for him on this world of karate.

This theme additionally extends to Daniel and Johnny. The previous lastly will get a decision to the season-long thriller of Miyagi’s previous, which has been and stays underwhelming. Positive, it’s attention-grabbing for the present to argue that Miyagi was no saint, and to see Daniel come to phrases with the truth that his mentor was a flawed man, however to make it a thriller field component all through all the season made the decision come throughout as underwhelming.

If half 3 of “Cobra Kai” season 6 makes one thing clear, it is that this present has at all times been the journey of William Zabka’s Johnny Lawrence. Zabka will get the large highlight these final 5 episodes, doing a little career-best work as Johnny confronts his demons, the harm Kreese has executed to him, and his insecurities, whereas additionally recognizing his achievements and the way far he is come.

“Cobra Kai” has at all times been good at figuring out find out how to weaponize nostalgia in the correct methods, and the ultimate episodes are all about wanting again so you’ll be able to look ahead. There are many references, homages, direct callbacks, and outright recreations of moments from the very first “Karate Child” in these episodes, they usually by no means really feel just like the writers nodding on the viewers. 

As a substitute, the references are there to say one thing about each the previous and the current, to point out the development the characters have been to. With out spoiling any surprises, let’s simply say that the ultimate episodes of “Cobra Kai” are a fan’s desires come true, and the end result of six years’ price of incomes the correct callbacks on the proper time. When the second of reality got here for this present, it proved that it was one of the best round.

/Movie score 8 out of 10

“Cobra Kai” season 6 half 3 is streaming on Netflix beginning February 13, 2025.