Cobra Kai, who is watching it or watched it?

[bodyhard]

If you loved/liked the Karate Kid (just the original the others sucked) you will really love/like Cobra Kai

I watched all 3 seasons in 2 days, loved it!!

Anyone else on the bandwagon?

[ArchAngel'73]

Youtube released it 1st in 2018, Netflix picked it up for 2020. It looked like sh*t on youtube. What makes this worth watching (just curious)?

[ajdahlheimer]

If you loved/liked the Karate Kid (just the original the others sucked) you will really love/like Cobra Kai

I watched all 3 seasons in 2 days, loved it!!

Anyone else on the bandwagon?

My son and I watched it when it first came out on YouTube, then rewatched it recently on Netflix. It is very good. Him and I are fans of all 3 of the Karate movies though.

-AJ

[Karl_Hungus]

You watched all 3 seasons? I didn't know the third season was out yet, but then again, I don't have Netflix. I've watched the first 2 seasons and was really surprised. I honestly expected to to suck, but they did a really good job with it. Can't wait to see the third season.

[ajdahlheimer]

You watched all 3 seasons? I didn't know the third season was out yet, but then again, I don't have Netflix. I've watched the first 2 seasons and was really surprised. I honestly expected to to suck, but they did a really good job with it. Can't wait to see the third season.

They announced the 3rd season doesn't come out until 2021. It kept getting delayed due to the pandemic.

[Karl_Hungus]

Youtube released it 1st in 2018, Netflix picked it up for 2020. It looked like sh*t on youtube. What makes this worth watching (just curious)?

If you didn't like the movies, then you might not like Cobra Kai. For me the interest is in how the characters lives have turned out in the past 30 years and how the rivalry between the two main characters plays out given the different (almost reversed) dynamic between them.

Daniel, no longer the poor kid, is rich and successful, and kind of a self-absorbed prick. Johnny is down and out, doing odd jobs to fuel his alcohol habit. He is pissed off at everybody and everything. He still lives in the same town, so Daniel's success is continually rubbed in his face.

Through happenstance, Johnny finds martial arts again and begins training a student, which sort of mirrors the relationship between Miyagi and Daniel -- although instead of imparting bits of ancient wisdom, Johnny says things like "Quit being a pussy!". Throughout this process, Johnny finds redemption and meaning in his life -- but his old rival Daniel isn't buying it and will do whatever he can to stop Cobra Kai from spreading its poison once again.

That essentially sets up the story and gives you an idea about the dynamic between the characters. Unlike the movies, there are no clear-cut good guys and bad guys here. The characters are complex and flawed, and one thing that really stands out is the failure of both characters to see that complexity in the other. They still view each other through the unidirectional prism formed during their youth which fuels their rivalry even more.

Overall, if you liked the movies, then you will probably like the series. If you weren't into the movies or the characters, then you might not find the series too appealing.

[7Seconds]

If you didn't like the movies, then you might not like Cobra Kai. For me the interest is in how the characters lives have turned out in the past 30 years and how the rivalry between the two main characters plays out given the different (almost reversed) dynamic between them.

Daniel, no longer the poor kid, is rich and successful, and kind of a self-absorbed prick. Johnny is down and out, doing odd jobs to fuel his alcohol habit. He is pissed off at everybody and everything. He still lives in the same town, so Daniel's success is continually rubbed in his face.

Through happenstance, Johnny finds martial arts again and begins training a student, which sort of mirrors the relationship between Miyagi and Daniel -- although instead of imparting bits of ancient wisdom, Johnny says things like "Quit being a pussy!". Throughout this process, Johnny finds redemption and meaning in his life -- but his old rival Daniel isn't buying it and will do whatever he can to stop Cobra Kai from spreading its poison once again.

That essentially sets up the story and gives you an idea about the dynamic between the characters. Unlike the movies, there are no clear-cut good guys and bad guys here. The characters are complex and flawed, and one thing that really stands out is the failure of both characters to see that complexity in the other. They still view each other through the unidirectional prism formed during their youth which fuels their rivalry even more.

Overall, if you liked the movies, then you will probably like the series. If you weren't into the movies or the characters, then you might not find the series too appealing.

Yeah, I expected a little cheese and to laugh at some quick nostalgia since Karate Kid was a favorite of mine. Really surprised at how excellent the show was. It really balances the nostalgia with a new story well. Looking forward to season 3.

[ectoBgone]

I like what they have done with the original characters a lot. Their kids characters are kind of 'meh' and the fighting is copy/paste, but the movies never had great fighting either. There is some really good humor in there, especially for those of us who grew up in the 80s and probably have the same reaction as Johnny to a lot of the 'woke' crap. I enjoyed it a lot.

[ajdahlheimer]

If you didn't like the movies, then you might not like Cobra Kai. For me the interest is in how the characters lives have turned out in the past 30 years and how the rivalry between the two main characters plays out given the different (almost reversed) dynamic between them.

Daniel, no longer the poor kid, is rich and successful, and kind of a self-absorbed prick. Johnny is down and out, doing odd jobs to fuel his alcohol habit. He is pissed off at everybody and everything. He still lives in the same town, so Daniel's success is continually rubbed in his face.

Through happenstance, Johnny finds martial arts again and begins training a student, which sort of mirrors the relationship between Miyagi and Daniel -- although instead of imparting bits of ancient wisdom, Johnny says things like "Quit being a pussy!". Throughout this process, Johnny finds redemption and meaning in his life -- but his old rival Daniel isn't buying it and will do whatever he can to stop Cobra Kai from spreading its poison once again.

That essentially sets up the story and gives you an idea about the dynamic between the characters. Unlike the movies, there are no clear-cut good guys and bad guys here. The characters are complex and flawed, and one thing that really stands out is the failure of both characters to see that complexity in the other. They still view each other through the unidirectional prism formed during their youth which fuels their rivalry even more.

Overall, if you liked the movies, then you will probably like the series. If you weren't into the movies or the characters, then you might not find the series too appealing.

Good analysis. Other shows have established that the whole character switch from antagonist to protagonist (and vice versa) can be a successful formula for drawing an audience's interest. Look at (SPOILERS) Breaking Bad and how Walt eventually went from good guy to bad guy---and it worked.

[VoxExMachina]

Lots of fan service for 80's kids and those who watched the original movie. And Johnny's attitude toward all things PC and not "badass" is great.


LaRusso is still a dork, IMO. I never bought into him being able to win any sort of fight, and Ralph Macchio didn't go out of his way to get in shape or make an effort to look like he actually knows Karate for Cobra Kai any more than he did for the originals. The kids mostly do a decent job, though the writing around them could be much much more complex and nuanced.

Overall, though, good show.

[ajdahlheimer]

. There is some really good humor in there, especially for those of us who grew up in the 80s and probably have the same reaction as Johnny to a lot of the 'woke' crap. I enjoyed it a lot.

Haha, absolutely. I'm an 80's kid and had to explain a lot of the humor to my 16 year old son when we watched it.

[ajdahlheimer]

LaRusso is still a dork, IMO.

Serious question. Do we know what is up with Macchio's hair in real life? Those are bad plugs or something, right? It looks really weird and unnatural.

[VoxExMachina]

Serious question. Do we know what is up with Macchio's hair in real life? Those are bad plugs or something, right? It looks really weird and unnatural.

Looks like a rug to me. Ought to just shave his head and retain some dignity because whatever is going on looks terrible.

[quicksand jesus]

If you loved/liked the Karate Kid (just the original the others sucked) you will really love/like Cobra Kai

I watched all 3 seasons in 2 days, loved it!!

Anyone else on the bandwagon?

I thought it was the corniest most ridiculous show I've ever watched... but loved every minute of it.

[induced_drag]

Wife and I have been watching at night. Mid-way through season 2. It is fun. A touch of cheese, but the character development between Johnny and Daniel is cool. It takes some unexpected turns and overall we are looking forward to finishing it.

The episodes go so fast, and my wife and I are always tempted to squeeze another in. The nostalgia is done well in the series.

[lsiberian]

One of my favorite shows, but it probably sucks if you don't have the nostalgia.

[bodyhard]

Sorry meant to say watch all 2 seasons.

I don't know who watch all 2 so I don't want to spoil anything, but damn that one thing caught me off guard!

[shmobin]

It is amazing how their karate skills actually got worse over time.

[bodyhard]

It is amazing how their karate skills actually got worse over time.

Daniel karate skills always sucked, Johnny's didn't

[shmobin]

Daniel karate skills always sucked, Johnny's didn't

It's even worse now though. At least he had some flexibility back then.

[Jtbny]

One of my favorite shows, but it probably sucks if you don't have the nostalgia.

The Karate Kid is one of my favorite movies and I even liked 3. Made my two kids watch the OG not long ago. Really don't like this series. Want to. I'm trying to. 2 episodes into S2 and still don't.

[Karl_Hungus]

The Karate Kid is one of my favorite movies and I even liked 3. Made my two kids watch the OG not long ago. Really don't like this series. Want to. I'm trying to. 2 episodes into S2 and still don't.

If you've watched season 1 and are two episodes into season 2 and still don't like it, I doubt the rest of season 2 is going to sway you.

[ajdahlheimer]

If you've watched season 1 and are two episodes into season 2 and still don't like it, I doubt the rest of season 2 is going to sway you.

Agreed. The first couple episodes will make or break it for a viewer. Personally, I think those were the best episodes of the whole series.

[Postmort3m]

I may have seen an episode or two........

[ArchAngel'73]

If you didn't like the movies, then you might not like Cobra Kai. For me the interest is in how the characters lives have turned out in the past 30 years and how the rivalry between the two main characters plays out given the different (almost reversed) dynamic between them.

Daniel, no longer the poor kid, is rich and successful, and kind of a self-absorbed prick. Johnny is down and out, doing odd jobs to fuel his alcohol habit. He is pissed off at everybody and everything. He still lives in the same town, so Daniel's success is continually rubbed in his face.

Through happenstance, Johnny finds martial arts again and begins training a student, which sort of mirrors the relationship between Miyagi and Daniel -- although instead of imparting bits of ancient wisdom, Johnny says things like "Quit being a pussy!". Throughout this process, Johnny finds redemption and meaning in his life -- but his old rival Daniel isn't buying it and will do whatever he can to stop Cobra Kai from spreading its poison once again.

That essentially sets up the story and gives you an idea about the dynamic between the characters. Unlike the movies, there are no clear-cut good guys and bad guys here. The characters are complex and flawed, and one thing that really stands out is the failure of both characters to see that complexity in the other. They still view each other through the unidirectional prism formed during their youth which fuels their rivalry even more.

Overall, if you liked the movies, then you will probably like the series. If you weren't into the movies or the characters, then you might not find the series too appealing.

Thanks man. I might give it a run.

[Jtbny]

If you've watched season 1 and are two episodes into season 2 and still don't like it, I doubt the rest of season 2 is going to sway you.

Oh I know but I like to finish what I start.

[Payton1221]

I watched Season 1, Episode 1 last night. I liked it a lot with several true LOL moments. And no one has mentioned the music: 80's music!!! How's that for nostalgic.

[ajdahlheimer]

I watched Season 1, Episode 1 last night. I liked it a lot with several true LOL moments. And no one has mentioned the music: 80's music!!! How's that for nostalgic.

My older brother had a Firebird back in the day just like the one Johnny still cruises around in in that episode.

[2nd_chance]

Good to see a lot of old-timers in this thread! I'll try to check the show out.

[champ07]

Sorry meant to say watch all 2 seasons

Glad you corrected that. I watched the 2 seasons also. When you said you watched 3 I thought this guy is as delusional as I thought. However you cleared things up and it made me realize it takes you a while to clue in. I’ll go easy on you from here on out.