Not all of Cobra Kai involves roundhouse kicks. The All Valley Tournament was the main focus of the previous season, but this time around, the episode is concentrated on character growth.
Instead of karate action, and despite an erratic start, it results in a reinvigorated season.
Season 5 begins with a bad Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) establishing Cobra Kai dojos throughout the valley. While, Miguel Diaz (Xolo Mariduea) is looking for his father in Mexico while being pursued by Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Meanwhile, Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan), and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) are working with Chozen Toguchi (Yuji Okumoto) in an effort to stop Silver.
That's a lot to balance, so the show doesn't really get going until a few episodes in. It seems as though Miguel's first trip to Mexico was hurried. While Johnny and Robby's father-son road trip is an utter delight, the adventure could have been developed more because the lessons acquired are crucial for Miguel, Johnny, and Robby. The same thing happens to Chozen, who receives a brief solo mission—an fascinating development that only lasts for one episode.
In comparison to last season, which grew with propelling velocity to an epic All Valley duel, there is in fact a lack of physical energy this time. Problems develop as plot elements are repeated, and it isn't until an unexpectedly late hour that the stakes are abundantly evident. However, the meandering pace allows for plenty of room for some incredibly satisfying character development, and that's where this season really excels.
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The new episodes of Cobra Kai bring some very welcome strides ahead with the primary cast. Before, important characters were trapped in a rut and unable to evolve since the plot necessitated specific conflicts. Tory, played by Peyton List, has a fantastic plot that gives her more facets than ever. Tory becomes one of the most intriguing characters of the season due to her discomfort over Silver manipulating the All Valley. Alongside the added obligation of a mentor-mentee connection with Oona O'Brien's Devon. List delivers a powerful performance that perfectly captures the conflicted emotions of a champion who is out of her element. Tory's season is here to stay.
The post-Mexico relationship between Johnny, Robby, and Miguel is also handled brilliantly. The season's high point is witnessing Robby's journey come to the conclusion that it does. While the difficult subjects of family and forgiveness are handled with just the right amount of emotional heft in a classic Cobra Kai way.
Chozen, in the meantime, is a welcome addition as a regular. He is, to use Johnny's favourite word, a badass, yet Okumoto skillfully balances both aspects of the character by making him stunningly funny as well. Chozen is a refreshing presence in the valley. Especially because the fundamental conflict with Cobra Kai has lasted for five seasons and could easily start to grow boring.
Regarding the two main characters, Johnny experiences some significant growth that indicates even more development for a character who has already advanced astonishingly far. In a powerful paradigm shift, Johnny actually has it together while Daniel is struggling under Terry's rule of terror. It's reassuring to see that Daniel was also traumatised by the events of The Karate Kid 3. This adds depth and interest to the story of Macchio's original Karate Kid and makes Silver an even more serious threat.
A powerful adversary is Silver. Along with newcomer Alicia Hannah-Kim as the knife-wielding Kim Da-Eun, he recruits a number of scary senseis to work across his dojos. Hannah-Kim gives the character a ruthless edge that enlivens the already brilliantly nasty Cobra Kai action. This makes everything more intense because the dojo is still a formidable opponent.
When Silver is fully released, Griffith once more portrays him as a complex, actual person rather than a stereotypical villain. Which makes him all the more frightening. Then, in the background, there's Kreese, who was put in jail when Silver falsely accused him of assault at the season finale last year. Despite playing a smaller part, he still has a significant impact because of several memorable exchanges with particular individuals.
Rocky references, spectacular needle drops, karate fights, and Miyagi wisdom are still all hallmarks of Cobra Kai, but season 5 makes new, daring forays into the future. Another steadfast chapter in the Karate Kid saga after the season finds its feet. A jaw-dropping, heart-pounding ending completes what is unquestionably the best episode of the series thus far.
Yes, there are significant hints at unfinished narrative lines that would require at least another season to be resolved. Let's hope Netflix permits Cobra Kai to make a triumphant comeback.
Performance | 4.5/5 |
Enjoyment | 4.6/5 |
Overall Rating | 4.6/5 |
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