Cobra Kai: Season 3 | Series Review

Cobra Kai is back at the dojo kicking off season 3 following the “karate riots” at the end of the last season. Immediately, we get to observe the effects of the fight on Sam, who is basically now mortal enemies with Tory, and is suffering from PTSD. Daniel and Johnny are also in emotional turmoil, as they struggle with guilt, anger, and accountability for the fight. While Robby is running from law enforcement for the kick to Miguel, a horribly injured Miguel fights for his life in the ICU. Consequences abound this season.

One of the themes in Cobra Kai, which stems from Johnny (William Zabka) and Daniel’s (Ralph Macchio) adolescent contempt for one another, is bullying – something that continues to permeate throughout season three. Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) was once the bullied, weak, and outcast youth but as he reaches new heights with his training, he embraces the power of being a brutal bully. He frightens friends and foes alike, and operates as the de facto leader of the group, unwilling to sacrifice his status. Hawk takes it upon himself to carry out Kreese’s efforts to weed out the weak from Cobra Kai, at any cost necessary. No one is immune to bullying this season – not even Robby, nor Daniel himself.

The impact of season 2’s finale is felt continuously as Daniel struggles from the PR hit his dealership took when the community found out it was his daughter and his trainee kicking the competition into the emergency room. Puns aside, no one is on the LaRusso’s side these days and everything is on the line. Amanda LaRusso (Courtney Henggeler) actually plays a much larger role, as she defends her family and business to the core. Season 3 finds the original Karate Kid and his family combatting an entire season on offense, with the respective cast rising to the occasion, and affords Daniel the opportunity to fully comprehend the results of his heated rivalry with Johnny. 

If you’re a longtime Karate Kid fan, you’re probably wondering about throwbacks and references. Of course, I won’t list them all, but you’ll be happy to know that Mr. Miyagi and his hometown, Okinawa, are incorporated once more as Daniel is forced to learn new ways to deal with his battles and comes face-to-face with both an old rival and a cherished friend. 

We also feel the impact in Johnny’s life, between his desire to support Miguel’s (Xolo Maridueña) fight for survival and recovery, and the tear in he and Robby’s relationship. In the opening, Johnny’s struggling with his drinking and ability to keep composed in any sense, falling prey to his innermost insecurities and addiction, takes center stage. For all senseis and gakuseis, the impact is also felt as the school, community, and leaders debate whether karate should even be allowed or supported, calling the All Valley Tournament into question. The stakes are very real for both dojos, and it makes every decision dubious. 

There is no real change in terms of performances for Zabka and Macchio, but honestly, that’s not a bad thing. The two actors continue to show us the depth and humor of each of their characters and keep us invested in what’s to come from this rivalry. Though, William and Ralph do display a fervent and sincere range of emotions and reactions to match the roller coaster of a storyline. As the season progresses, Macchio’s genuine earnestness serves him well as Daniel learns the ramifications of his own obsession, and Zabka once again imbues Johnny Lawrence with a winning combination of blistering character flaws coupled with a lion’s heart for making amends.  They are who we love them to be.

Kreese, Kreese, Kreese. Somehow, he made his way back last season, but season three is where he finally gets a character arc and backstory. John Kreese’s (Martin Kove) military background is exposed through flashbacks, and we finally learn what made him the big bully he is today. This is honestly one of the best and most developed arcs of the series because it provides a three-dimensional view of a character we all hate and, in some ways, it provides a level of sympathy for him previously seen as unthinkable. This nuanced take on the evolution of a bully is honestly what Cobra Kai does best, and now it has taken on its ultimate villain. Kreese is vicious and merciless, and Krove renders a wonderfully dark role as we ultimately learn what drives him. 

Among other great performances and arcs are Robby and Tory (Tanner Buchanan and Peyton List), who seem to have much in common these days. They are both angry and feel like they’ve been cast aside by the people they care about, emotions that can easily be taken advantage of. This anger fuels them through each episode, propelling the story forward, and also making their fight scenes pretty kick-ass. Truly, Robby and Tory evolve into two of the best characters in the series, who will keep you questioning whose side they will end up on. 

One thematic element of Cobra Kai that hasn’t been explored deeply before is mental health and addiction. Have we seen it? Absolutely. Johnny’s go-to coping method is booze and babes (not that he can land the latter when boozy), but the impact hasn’t been expanded on as much as it does this season. Johnny’s not the only one whose mental health is mangled, as we learn more about the consequences of war on Kreese. Sam (Mary Mouser) is the character we see the most of this exploration in, though. Following the fight with Tory last season, Sam has been enduring panic attacks and triggering flashbacks, sometimes leaving her so stunned that she’s left vulnerable. Learning more about how PTSD affects people differently in this particular method is fascinating because the juxtaposition feels so subtle. This heightens the season’s overall story arc considerably. 

Everyone wants to know if Ali (Elisabeth Shue) will reprise her spot in the Karate Kid-Cobra Kai universe, and that’s something I can’t say yes or no to. What I can tell you is that – while these characters repeatedly open and salt old wounds – the relationship between Danny, Johnny, and Ali will be examined as the season unravels. And it’s absolutely pivotal to the future of the series.

Cobra Kai started out as a cheesy and entertaining YouTube show, providing nostalgic overload for 80’s fans of the infamous illegal kick debate. None of that has changed, seriously – it is still super cheesy, except that it’s now on Netflix.  But what we’ve been given in season 3 is further proof that while not everything should go this route, it is possible to offer this nostalgia and toss in some badass fighting, while also delivering a fun and engaging story. Each character has had an expansion of their arc in many ways, Johnny even learns the interwebs this season, yet they all maintain their heart.

Cobra Kai is not just for 80’s fans; everyone is invited to kick off their shoes and enter this dojo.

Follow our further discussion on Cobra Kai Season 3 via this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: