"I have asthma" "not anymore" checkmate biology

The first season is pretty special. And if you look at it quite "diverse". Women that are strong, a poc main character. But you somehow don't notice it. Almost as if they made likeable characters

"We gotta do something about the patriarchy " "Yeah, I hate the Patriots too."

"Yes, Cobra Kai accepts both boy and girl students...Huh? Gender what? Is this a prank call?!" I about fell off the sofa laughing.

In the original movie, as Daniel was on the mat writhing in pain, Tommy yells, "Get him a body bag, yeah!" 35 years later, there's Tommy getting zipped into his own body bag. That is some serious black comedy.

The actor who played Tommy recently passed away. Really glad he had the chance to do that final episode with his fellow actors.

Ralph Machio is basically how they should have treated Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi.

In all fairness, teen drama love triangles are quintessential Karate Kid.

Toxic masculinity, cultural appropriation and middle aged white men with no sense of purpose beating on teenagers...it may be my favorite new show. Sweep the leg Drinker, I'm in.

Sensei, I have asthma. NOT ANYMORE! That part alone pretty much cemented my love for the show. Season 3 can't come fast enough.

I love the scene where Johnny is retelling the events of The Karate Kid from his perspective and how he viewed Larusso as the bully. Was something I've never seen done before, but it's actually a great representation for what goes on in the show. How there isn't just good vs evil. There's a good and bad to almost every character in the show.

Spoiler warning: I like how opening a dojo for Johnny was a step forward in his life, but it was a step backwards in Daniel's. And although the dojo's philosophies were completely opposite, being Mijagido more compassioned, while cobra kai was ruthless, their motivations were completely different, and that led to Cobra Kai to be better, but it led Daniel to neglect his family and his work. Great show, many layers

Strike first strike hard No mercy and Go away NOW!!!

Interesting that this show doesn't pander to modern politics, but makes fun of them! Good job

I’m guessing a lot of people are here, or back here, since Netflix just released it. Binged the 2 season in 2 days. Couldn’t stop watching no matter how hard I tried.

Love how they handled the female characters. Instead of being skinny with knuckles made of steel they use their opponents weight against them. The exception to this is the fat girl who has more weight behind her attacks. No black widow clones here.

“What are you watching?” “Cobra Kai.” “Game of thrones is on.” “Game of what?”

A reviewer who drinks, and values quality over political talking points? I am ashamed for not subscribing sooner! Don't change, mate.

The best joke is when Johnny is talking to a parent on the phone and he tells them that Kobe’s Kai accepts boys and girls. The parent asked about transgender students and Johnny just says “what, is this a prank call” and he hangs up the phone. It’s a very clever way to get Johnny to make an insensitive joke without actually being insensitive. That’s really the theme with his character, often times when you expect him to be intolerant instead he just doesn’t care or understand or both.

Put a hashbrown on it and send it to the internet!!!

so this is the real sequel to karate kid, no Jaden Smith. I'm down.

That moment he discovered the internet and youtube...had me in stiches laughing!

That show was so unwoke, I can't believe that it got made. It seems like everything after 2016 has to be woke.

It's stunning that they let Johnny be portrayed as a good guy despite possibly being the most non-PC television character since Al Bundy. Some of the stuff he says to the kids in the dojo even makes me cringe but it's awesome that they're letting him grow at a slow character arc that's going to make his eventual resolution make the most sense. I also like that in a way a lot of this is Daniel's fault because he's obviously out of balance and completely full of himself. The most satisfying conclusion will probably be the two of them teaching a mixed school that would have aspects of both of their styles so the students would get a balanced approach. But the way this show has gone, there's honestly no telling what they'll do.

Something that I love about Cobra Kai is that it manages to honor/ respect the characters that came before, Johnny, Daniel etc. but also manages to put them in unique positions while also developing newer characters. In short, it was what I had wanted The Sequel Trilogy to do. But thanks, Rian, JJ, for subverting my expectations.

I'm so glad they did this right. They respected the original, brought in new charicters that were well rounded, and didn't jam in identity politics. This is how you sequel.

I like Hawk's character because he is all things you said he was, but he also gives insight to the same transformation Johnny went through under Kreese. Is it such a coincidence that both Johnny and Hawk were transformed into the bully characters they were in high school all because of Kreese. Hawk = Johnny Lawrence all those years back in 1984.

I remember how I had a bit of mental whiplash when Daniel confronts Johnny after Johnny's defense of Miguel. I wanted to tell Daniel that, hey man, don't you see who those two people are, and what roles they're now playing? Johnny and Miguel were, in that moment, Miyagi and young Daniel. Rescuer and the rescued. It showed the distance Daniel had drifted from his younger self, that he could not perceive that Johnny was doing for Miguel exactly what Miyagi had done for the young Daniel. This was critical, because this misunderstanding leads to their renewed rivalry, and all because Daniel, for all his Philosophy, was the unperceiving hothead, overreacting. He's still a good person -- I am sincerely grateful the story didn't go the lazy route of having Daniel "go bad" or something else too much like Anakin Skywalker turning to Vader -- but he's just a bit out of touch with his prior memories and his true Philosophical learnings. If only he could literally reconnect with Miyagi and get a good refresher on those things.

"Are you one of those 'challenged' kids?" "Um, my parents said I'm on the spectrum." "Well you better get off of it, pronto."

Get woke go broke... Tell good story respect the fans.. MAKE MORE MONEY??????

I love every single scene with Johnny. I feel like can relate to him more than anybody, even if I am a bit younger. His disregard for PC culture is fantastic and refreshing.

Hawk is probably my favorite character in the whole show. Seeing him go from being bullied to being a bully himself was great. The fact he's gone so far that he now revels during a fight says alot of the type of person he's become.

Disney should hire the guys who made this to write the next Star Wars trilogy. Instead of the Dumbs-Dumbs they did hire.

"The Rights are gonna cost us a lot" " I have the song in my car, and send it to the internet"

I wish to god the Disney Star Wars trilogy had been done like this. It would have been GLORIOUS!

"My doctor says I might be on the spectrum." "...ok, I don't know what the hell that is, but get off it." Pure gold.

My favorite line is when Eli (before becoming Hawk) says: My doctor said I could be on the spectrum. And Johnny replies: "I don't know what that is but get off it."

Hell yes! Glad you are endorsing this. Literally the only reason I pay for KZfaq Red. Soon as the show is done, I'm cancelling. Go away now...

A few other elements that I think also make a huge difference in its quality: - Character driven story. Somehow every character in this show has their own unique influence on the events of the show. Everyone is given a chance to shine, and the actions of every character has consequences and effects the plot in tangible ways. - Self awareness. There's so many levels to this too right, like the respectful, but often humourous and clever callbacks to the original. They're not just respectful, but honest. The show even plays off things like Johnny's sometimes brashness, in a way that almost breaks the fourth wall, like when he storms into Daniel's showroom demanding to see Daniel and the guy he's talking to is like "dude this is real life, you can't just barge in and threaten people with violence" - so perfect Also, I think there's a lot of cynicism in this thread about season 2, but like Drinker said, there is a lot of set-up for this being a pass-the-torch kind of story. I didn't really get the feeling that Daniel and Johnny have taken a back seat. The the thing is there are a lot of new characters being introduced to the story, and the majority of them are highschool teenagers and students. If anything the writers seems to be doing everything they can to keep the story focussed on the competition between the Dojo's while allowing all the characters to get adequate screen time and explore interesting subplots. This show doesn't have to be 'anti-SJW' or whatever. Just because it's not pandering to modern social justice politics doesn't make it 'red-pill'. I'd really rather see the show as being driven primarily by the desire to tell a good story, with complex well-written characters with real and believeable motivations.

"Miss Robinson. There are two cobras in the jungle. One kills a lion and the other kills a crippled monkey. Which Cobra do you want to be?" Damn the lesson was perfect and John Lawrence was being an awesome sensei.

The fact,that a show produced by youtube,of all things, based on a cheesy 80's movie,has better writing,acting,balance of drama/comedy,character development and uses the whole '' Uh! 'member''-nostalgia thing the right way is just baffling. This is what the sequel-trilogy should have been! Then again,the creators of this show are huge fans of the 80's movies and not some hacks like Jar Jar Abrams or Ruin Johnson. The episode where Daniel-san visits Mr.Miyagi's grave had me crying like a little girl and the scene where Sensei Johnny discovers the interwebs had me in tears from loughter.(first thing he googles is:''hot babes'' ) I can't remember the last time, when a tv-show did this to me.

The first season was great. During the second season I started to get some CW vibes. It's getting a little too young adult focused, by being overly dramatic and unrealistic.

I'm obsessed with this show. It makes me laugh out loud, makes me cry and just leaves me on a high. Johnny is absolutely brilliant.

That line about there aren’t any women in the military because it didn’t make sense had me rolling for days. Love this show

Cobra Kai is awesome! Never thought I’d be cheering for Johnny Lawrence but Zabka knocked it out of the park. I also like the kid actors. Miguel’s story is a great “passing of the torch.”

Some of my favourite scenes are when Johnny comes across a modern PC concept he's completely unfamiliar with. Like on the phone when he says Cobra Kai is open to girls as well. The next moment he's like... "Gender, what!?" The dating montage is also great. 80s Johnny dating a 3rd wave feminist type woman is a classic.

I haven't binged a series THIS HARD in a VERY long time. This wasn't the only positive review I received about this show, but god damn this has lived up to my expectations 100%.

Just watched this with my whole family, wife and two daughters (18. 15). Both my wife and I are 80's teens (53 & 47) and this series really captured all of us. One of the best series on Netflix, and the only reason why I haven't boycotted it. Great review, and spot on with every point you made. If I had to describe Cobra Kai with one word it would be "Smart". Every decision in it was just incredibly smart.

When Johnny spray paints a phallus on Daniel’s billboard, I knew this was a good series.

How I Met Your Mother kind of predicted this series. Barney saw Johnny Lawrence as the protagonist of the Karate Kid movies.

This is why so many of us love this show because they give the respect the karate kid movies deserve. Hear that Disney?

I just binged this now that it's on Netflix, and while the tone's a little messy, especially in season 2, it is a lot of fun.

It still amazes me that Rob Garrison reprized his role as a dying Tommy seeing how he died 5 months later from kidney Disease. RIP Tommy

It's on netflix and became my favourite. Expectations weren't subverted, they suceded! Nostalgia done right is so refreshing!

Best line in the show is.... "QUIET!!!"

What I loved about it is that it managed to be woke and anti pc. It's balanced.

Cobra Kai never die.

Cobra kai so good words can't do it justice ,emotions can it feels amazing

The most astonishing fact is that they did this without the main character of Karate Kid (of course Mr. Miyagi).

Just saw it now that it’s on Netflix. Simply Incredible.

I love the use of 80's music too, including songs from the original, I loved it when Cruel Summer came on during the school scene, and Young Hearta during the date scene.

If i was Johny i'd be PISSED too. Losing a competition because of an ILLEGAL kick to the face.... Edit: TWO illegal strikes. One to the back of the head, one to the front...

Cobra Kai is the best show on television! Well said, Drinker.

Just finished season 3 and this show just gets better.

This show is an awesome masterclass in screenwriting. I watched expecting a joke and was stunned at the depth and the quality of the characterization and writing. There are so many twists and turns in the character arcs yet every single one of them is earned and not one of them is cheap. Every single character has a legitimate point of view and outlook on life which makes the conflicts even more intense because as a viewer you're genuinely torn over who should and will win at any given moment. You wish that everyone would just compromise a little as the Drinker pointed out but you know that they can't so conflict and heartbreak are inevitable. Just so incredibly well done as a show. I can't recommend it enough.

i love how they flipped the script with the main characters...

Cobra Kai is the best nostalgia show I have seen in a long time. The original actors are good, it respects the source material, and they don't force wokeness into the story line.

Just watched season 3. And after thinking about it. There are almost no plot holes, what the characters do makes sense, the links and added background stories of the characters actually makes sense... and this good foundation in story makes it such a good show. I know, should be basics. But most movies or series nowadays struggle to just provide this basics...Waiting for season 4 now.

Ron Swanson (in his dojo): "Before we get started, does anyone have any dietary restrictions?" Karate Class: "Sir, no sir!" Ron Swanson: "That is correct. You don't."

I had ZERO intention of watching this. I mean come on -- FKN "Karate Kid: 2019"? Given this review though I will definitely give this a shot. With all of the choices of what to watch now-a-days good stories are more rare then ever. I'll try it..

In the original meaning of the terms, both "tragedy" and "comedy" are forms of "drama", "tragedies" have sad endings, "comedies" have happy endings.

Cobra kai is excellent, in my top 5 series of all time easily, I really hope they keep this up and bring out 10 seasons or something. I want to see terry Silver and Barnes come back.

The Vietnam shit in season three was like watching Platoon again

I'm amazed that S4 of this show remains as great as ever. Johnny still wildly politically incorrect and hilarious. I would have bet money Netflix would have neutered the show when they bought it.

"put some hashbrowns on it!" - Johnny Lawrence

Just binged the whole three seasons in a matter of days. It is refreshing to see that it succeeds in all things without trying too hard. Especially in the nostalgia department...like some other Netflix show... *Cough* Stranger things *cough *

This series has a lot of takeaways that we can learn in todays polarized modern era.

I even learned feminism. lol. How do they get away with mocking Hollywood's pretentious politics ?

It's amazing and awesome this show has made 5 seasons now and having recently binged on season 5...it is still very much worth it!! Season 5 may be my favorite season even and recommend it, as well. Having Johnny and Daniel not only forgive each other and move on, but have them move on together and team up and train their students with the best of both worlds of Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do is something I think most of us wanted and perhaps needed to see. I'm a sucker for redemption story arcs, though so 🤷‍♂lol

11:45 I don't know how to make the actor here. The dude was actually dying and he plays out his own character's death in the show to mirror his own. That is either brilliant or extremely dark.

As I watched the original Karate Kid movies back in the day, and had no idea about this new series, I REALLY want to thank you for turning me on to this show!! Such a surprise!! And it could have been really bad... but it's quite good! Thanks Drinker!!!

Hawk: A Fucking Legend.

Only took playing himself as a dead beat in HIMYM for him to get a job playing a deadbeat version of Johnny

Thanks Drinker. This is the video i needed to continue watching the new season. Its been a while and i wasnt motivated to watch the new season but you reminded me how good this show actually is.

100% agree. The first season was fantastic but 2nd season leaned way into the teen stuff and got a little soft but still very enjoyable. And maybe I'm being too critical but a lot of those fight scenes were REALLY bad. Still looking forward to season 3.

Spot on at the end when you say it's better than it has any right to be. I think part of it that everybody involved loves doing the series and are the people who have grown up and can bring their own experiences to the characters they portrayed 30 years ago.

Thanks for the recommendation Drinker, I've been scoffing at this show since YT first put it out and again recently after netflix started recommending it to me. I was positive that it was going to be garbage for all the reasons you listed that it could have been, so I never gave it a shot. Not sure how I missed this video when you first published it but I am glad it finally popped up in my feed because having just finished season one, I have to say this is the best show I have seen in years! They really walked a fine line and put out something special that pays homage to the original. Please, keep on dropping these Drinker recommends series, you haven't steered me wrong even once with them!

I gotta say. Season 3 really was a step up from season 2. They put the focus back on Johnny and Daniel for a lot of it. And the show progressed naturally. From the fight scene at the school to where we are now, especially. I really loved the sequence of trying to get Miguel to walk again. I look forward to your review, Drinker.

And this just in: Weiss and Benioff to write season 3! Just kidding!

Just seeing ralph or william in any interview, so happy, so joyful, having a great time, it reminds me about mark hamill, and that just breaks my heart

corny ass hell but entertaining as hell. there's nothing to think about.... it doesn't take itself seriously, and it's not pretending to be serious. A good series to just sit back, watch the story, and be entertained. We don't need to sit and poke holes in everything all the time. Great vid Drinker.

Despite being an enormous skeptic of yet another reboot, I was really impressed with this show. As you touched on, the relationship between Miguel and Johnny is really interesting because it reminded me a lot of Whiplash, with a very eager student vs a damaged and abusive mentor. Though JL isn't nearly as bad a person as Terence Fletcher it still made for some riveting scenes. And honestly alcoholic goofball Johnny Lawrence was too fun And I have to mention I usually hate media that stars kids/teens, but they all did well. Five from Umbrella Academy is the goat for that tier imo

Absolutely love this show! I was trained a lot like Johnny in the 80's by a former veteran and it was hard. You had to keep up or get lost. Being a life long martial artist I saw his struggle trying to open a dojo with the way things are now. And I loved Johnny's attitude. I got the feels during the scene with Daniel at the grave site...RIP Pat Marida. It's probably one of the better shows that has been put onto Netflix. My son loves it!

Season 4 did not disappoint.

1 year later and I finally broke the seal to watch this. Even after your review I was dragging my feet and didn’t expect much of this show (not to mention it wasn’t on Netflix yet). Boy was I happily surprised. Everything about this show is great. The characters are complex, the plot doesn’t sway too hard against one philosophy or the other, it’s more of a balancing act and underneath it all is still the heated rivalry between Johnny and Daniel from the original movie. The nostalgia is great without actually forcing it. All the flashbacks and old characters fit right in. The new characters are all interesting because the all have a journey to complete to become what they are and it never locks a character into one way of thinking. Just when you think things become predictable, they add just enough in there that is not necessarily out of line with what the character would do, but enough to make their decision interesting. Good show, and as always drinker great review.

Would you recommend it for someone that never really got into the karate kid?

Zabka got a cameo in "How I Met Your Mother", and Macchio had a small role on "Psych".

This show has become easily one of my favorite, I love the respect and love put it into it and you can just feel it while watching. Can’t wait for season 3 (hopefully) this year!

My man The Drinker - you gave this review in the most excellent of tastes! I always loved the Karate Kid movies and was SO surprised to feel myself rooting for Johnny, even at times when he was pitted against Daniel. You can tell that this show was created with much love and reverence to those old movies and still managed to remain fresh and modern. I certainly can't wait for Season 3 as this brought back so many old memories for me . . . with smiles galore! Thank you for such a great review!

"My students told me to get an Apple. You sold me a lemon." LMAO. One of the best lines in the show. XD