What to Watch - Cobra Kai Season 3

by the Opaque Senator, GGR Contributor

2021 is here, and as far as streaming services are concerned, they started with a bang. On New Years, Netflix released season 3 of Cobra Kai after acquiring the series in June of 2020. For those unfamiliar, Cobra Kai takes place in the same universe 34 years after the conclusion of the Karate Kid series of movies. I won't be going into an episode by episode break down here. What I wanted to focus on was what I found most interesting about this series so far, especially this season, and that is the characters and their development.

The best movies and shows we consume these days, share a common bond and that is an emphasis on characters over plot. With the plethora of content out there, we've seen just about all there is to see as far as plots are concerned. The characters themselves though, can be so much more layered and interesting because people are very layered and interesting. People make decisions for all sorts of reasons, and also sometimes for no reason at all. Motivations can be clear or clouded, tie back to an origin, or come out of nowhere. The essence of our lives is the choices we make and what we choose to focus on. Best of all, where plots should make sense, characters do not always need to; though they do need an arc of some kind.

Character is the strength of Cobra Kai. The original Karate Kid movie was the quintessential underdog story. It's a plot we've now seen hundreds if not thousands of times. But the Karate Kid really struck a chord with people. Even in the 80s, the underdog story had been done to death already, but this resonated so much more with the public. Why was this? Not sensing my theme yet? Of course, it's the characters! A lot of people, especially kids through young adults, see elements of themselves in the character of Daniel Larusso. Similarly, I think a lot of parents see elements of themselves or their own mentors in Mr. Miyagi's character. The relationship the actors behind these characters brought to the fold (Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita respectively) legitimized those feelings.

Despite the success and world appeal of the Karate Kid, I enjoyed Karate Kid Part II much more. Daniel and Miyagi going to Okinawa and facing new challenges and pushing the story forward as well as the characters brought a whole new scale and interest to their story. I saw a lot more of myself in this version of Daniel than the bullied high schooler. A still young soon-to-be adult experiencing a whole new land, being a sort of fish out of water, but also experiencing another new love, new customs, and of course new challenges and rivals, related to me far greater than the first movie. I thought the second movie, in addition to being more relatable, also deepened the character arcs of both Daniel AND Miyagi. We get to see a window into why Miyagi is who he is, his life where he's from, his love, his rivalries, and at least a window into his ups and downs. He's no longer just “wise, old sage” archetype.

It's these ties that made Season 3 of Cobra Kai my favorite so far. I really enjoy this series. I both love and slightly dislike the 80s cheese and reliance on call back moments. Plus, the plot is very predictable in many spots. But again, when you have good, interesting characters, as long as the plot is actually sensical, who cares? And that's where I am with this series. The older characters continue their growth from 30 years ago. You can probably read 100 articles on the rivalry between Daniel and Johnny, many of which even before Cobra Kai came out, but more so now with the shows new found success. At its heart, these are two individuals that just cannot move beyond their past, and that is what drives the plot. But the depth added to both these characters, and how their choices impact those around them and shape them, is what really makes the show interesting. Season 3 brought a lot of elements close to full circle. If you've seen any previews to the series, there's nothing much I will be giving away, but here's a spoiler warning just in case. If you want to wait to read further, see the series.

Daniel and Johnny's relationship with each other was the direct cause of the brawl at the end of season 2. They both realize this, but due to an inability to see into the others' experiences, they cannot move beyond their problems. This problem is rectified with the reintroduction of Ali Mills (Elizabeth Shue) to the mix towards the end of the season. She is supposed to be the bridge between these two, and show them there's a lot more similarities between them than they realize. Those similarities are the wedge that keeps driving them apart.

The heart and soul of the season was Daniel's trip back to Okinawa. The reintroduction of Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita, fresh off her excellent and very different turn in Star Trek: Picard) and Chozen (Yuji Okumoto) made this season. I acknowledge the nostalgia factor here, and my feelings on the second Karate Kid movie. I saw a lot more in addition to just bringing back these actors and this place. Yes, there was plot significance to this choice, as well as a fun callback. But there was also a clear pathos and feeling that the writers wanted to bring out. And man, do Macchio, Tomita, and Okumoto deliver. You all know my taste in music also drives things, and the soundtrack in the second movie is fantastic with its many harmonious flute based melodies. But when this one hits during Daniel's trip, it put me in a place with a ton of feels:

In the movie, we hear this theme played when Miyagi's father (also the name of the piece) is on his death bed and as his dying wish tries to bridge the gap between Miyagi and Chozen's master/uncle, Sato. The callback was amazing, but just builds from here throughout the rest of the episodes that take place while Daniel is in Okinawa. After arriving, Daniel is further disheartened by the modernization of the village he remembered, now being a shopping mall and very Westernized. But then, Daniel and the crowd around him notice a traditional dance beginning to be performed, and when he makes his way through the crowd to see, he sees none other than Kumiko leading it. The show does a great job inter-splicing clips from the movies throughout. Tomita plays Kumiko with the same innocence and softness we saw 30 years ago, and after watching her character in Picard, it was so impressive.

Kumiko notices him at the end of her dance routine, and they connect for a meal and talk. Macchio and Tomita's chemistry is undeniable. When Daniel admits to why he is in Okinawa and how lost he feels, Kumiko brings him back to her place and shares with him all of the letters Miyagi wrote to his love, and Kumiko's aunt, Yukie.

I am not a man who gets very emotional about TV or movies. Music has a way of getting me sometimes. But in this scene, even in this sometimes super corny show, made me cry like a baby. Kumiko reads to Daniel the last letter Miyagi sent to Yukie before he passed away. In it, Daniel learns, perhaps for the first time, that not only was Miyagi a huge part of Daniel's life, but that around the time of his life that Daniel now finds himself in, Miyagi was in a similar boat; lost and rudderless in the world. Daniel gave him a family that he turned away from to save problems in Okinawa. Even talking about Daniel's daughter Sam, and how he felt like a grandfather to her and how happy it made him. It was a truly beautiful scene, and one I am so glad I watched.

The episode is concluded with Daniel and Chozen reconciling (in a truly fun and plot driven way, which I recommend watching as well), and even further by the final scene before Daniel heads back home. Kumiko meets Daniel before he leaves with an unnamed companion. The woman with her is Yuna, who is the girl Daniel saved during the typhoon in the second movie. First off, they got the SAME ACTRESS TO PLAY HER. That was insane. Second, the way they bring her into the plot is also wonderful. Contrived for sure, but it just tied up this whole arc perfectly.

Speaking of Sam, the “tails” side of the coin to the older actors in this show, are the younger ones. And man, does season up the character's interest and levels. While always an important part of Cobra Kai, especially the love triangle of Sam, Miguel, and Robby, season 3 is where the depth of the characters really increases. Again, people are complicated, and nowhere are they more complicated than as teenagers trying to figure themselves out in life. Add in all of the extra drama of Sam and Robby's dads' feud, and the influence of Cobra Kai and Kreese in season 2, it's no wonder they are all over the place. The character I saw the most growth in was Demetri though. Demetri was literally a trope in season 1.

By the end of season 2, Demetri had a small moment in the final school fight against Hawk, but in season 3 he really becomes an actual character. It's messy. He finds a new level of confidence by beating Hawk, but also sees that confidence shattered by Hawk and getting his arm broken and still having elements of bullying. THIS IS LIFE!!!!! In so many shows and movies, once a character beats their bully, or overcomes their weakness, that's typically where the show or movie ends (see the Karate Kid, lol). But that is not how life works, and seeing Demetri overcome his flaws and then have to keep fighting is very realistic. It serves him in getting his first girlfriend and girl of his dreams Yasmine, who is, well...

she’s still grappling with her newfound nerd love.

His fight is also, in my opinion, the straw that actually brings Hawk back to him as a friend. Demetri becomes super interesting, and I want to see what happened to him in season 4, which is rare for his type of character in shows like these.

Yasmine also sees that same type of development. She can not totally undo her “mean girl” persona.She grows to understand more about Demetri and why he is the way he is. In his low moment of season 3 getting picked on again by Cobra Kai (they draw a penis on his cast and mock him in front of the school) Yasmine signs it for Demetri turning it into a positive. She understands how awful that feeling was, and it brings them (even if just temporarily) together.

These are the moments that make season 3 of this show stand out. I also wanted to shout out the cinematography and camera work. There are a couple shots in the chaotic climax fight scene at the LaRusso's house that should be very well applauded. (Why is it these lower budget shows can outdo movies with things like tracking shots by the way?) The main trio also remain solid. Robby fighting his battles, and Miguel trying to overcome his fall and subsequent recovery from the end of season 2 were well written and felt genuine. Sam's arc this season about overcoming PTSD was great and very relatable as well. It's all well done.

Watch this series. If you haven't started Season 3 yet, or the series for that matter, definitely check it out. It may just give you some great nostalgic feelings or an interesting moment or two from the characters.

In this truly opaque world, I hope that makes things a bit more clear.