The Drinker Recommends... Cobra Kai

[@Niko-br9ql]

"I have asthma" "not anymore" checkmate biology

[@u.v.s.5583]

- I have asthma.. - Go to a world class skiing/biathlon team.

[@marzblaq7267]

U.V. S. QUIET!

[@Marcoz588]

“I’m polydemidomsexual...” “NOT ANY MORE!”

[@osmanyousif7849]

Miguel: I'm paralyzed... Johnny: (Throws Miguel's body onto wall) Not anymore!

[@Zyscheriah]

I read somewhere that asthmatic people in military bootcamps gets less asthma attacks. IDK the validity though

[@richhatwell1236]

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

[@brasteen1]

Almost as if the writers didn't try to shove politics down your throat every 5 minutes and actually wrote some compelling characters while simultaneously giving the middle finger to the PC crowd.

[@cor2879]

Kind of like how characters are supposed to be written ;-)

[@Hiraghm]

That's how the best brainwashing has always worked for the past 50+ years.

[@sailor_gaia]

**Almost** like content of a person's character is more important (and considerably more interesting) than their culture, gender, race, or sexuality. Hm...

[@minerat27]

It's almost as if they were written to be characters rather than a tick box on a diversity quota

[@jimberjamber8540]

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

[@alisterfolson]

It harkens back to the "put him in the body bag!!" line he said in the first movie...ironic, he went out the same way. Dying in real life, I guess he didn't need too much extra time in the makeup chair...RIP

[@lgnd2k3]

@@alisterfolson What the fuck?

[@Sorel2020]

@@alisterfolson good old dark comedy 👌

[@theguyman2620]

Did he have cancer irl?

[@MrJeffcoley1]

@@theguyman2620 Yes, he sure did. I thought it was a poignant episode before. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Garrison

[@mikesbookreviews]

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

[@eldesgraciado6690]

EXCELLENT.

[@Sousabird]

@SpaghettiandSauce I mean, every karate tournament I ever did had male/female match ups. Granted most karate sparring is a lot less intense. You all have pads, and landing strikes on certain body parts is encouraged instead of just beating each other down.

[@clayongunzelle9555]

I never hear anybody mention his funny this show actually is

[@GeneralG1810]

I know right they basically gave a LONG overdue finger to the twitter outrage mob!

[@MrJeffcoley1]

@SpaghettiandSauce In some sports there aren't enough girls participating to put them in their own division, so they fight in the same class with other boys of like size/ability.

[@leipzigergnom]

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

[@bl8k3]

@Lee 80s the Patriots football team.

[@Xldldoom0]

@Lee 80s “I hate the patriots too. Listen, why don’t we cut all the chit chat, go for a ride in my challenger, I’ll teach you how to drive a stick. If you know what I mean.”

[@burtknighten1873]

Lol

[@brainrich1358]

@Jordan Carreira Yes. The episode when Miguel was helping Johnny go on some dates

[@juandelval7931]

The best joke in the series

[@johnnyrico6202]

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.

[@cyranodebergerac6587]

@Conker .The Squirrel She is a horrible bully though - which, thinking about it now, is also pretty on the nose...

[@leniobarcelos2264]

John Potter I'm in, too!

[@happyhammer1]

Your description alone made me rock hard.

[@gyrex]

Sold!

[@scar69x]

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

[@TheCriticalDrinker]

That shall become my mantra.

[@2bituser569]

No its: Drink 🍸 first Drink hard And no mercy

[@scar69x]

@@2bituser569 ya forgot... GO AWAY NOW!!!

[@spartan5760]

@@Dunge0n "let go of my purse"

[@risingrobinprodutions]

These are the tenets of Drinker Kai.

[@davidbroughall3782]

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.

[@NUFCMVFC]

Tommy....Bobby became the Pastor. Hilarious move nevertheless by the writers. Thing is, it actually had depth to it all and wasn't a cheap stunt by the writers

[@davidbroughall3782]

@@NUFCMVFC Right. Thanks for the correction. That's a sign of great writing. Funny and sad at the same time.

[@Godzillafan1980]

The irony is palpable to the extreme

[@v.v.7522]

Black comedy indeed. Loved it.

[@Godzillafan1980]

@@v.v.7522 RAPE and KILL IKR

[@YouOnlyIiveTwice]

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.

[@freestang6662]

Someone made a KZbin video a few years back, the title was something like "Daniel was the real villain". It's almost like the creator of Cobra Kai watched that video and said "I can build a whole new story around that."

[@ChRW123]

You never watched How I Met Your Mother?

[@YouOnlyIiveTwice]

@@ChRW123 No, can't stand a lot of sitcoms due to the annoying laugh tracks.

[@freestang6662]

@@ChRW123 not if I could help it

[@donhoju]

To be fair Ralph Macchio showed up, while the main story was about a Japanese immigrant that fought against his own people while his wife and baby died in an internment camp.

[@elliotstannard5621]

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

[@evertonporter7887]

I had no problem with Luke being a recluse in The Last Jedi, but there should have been a scene where Luke watching Rey using the lightsabre reminded him of when he was a great Jedi Master. THAT should have been enough for him to pull himself together and take Rey on as his apprentice. In my opinion, Johnny is what Luke should have been in that movie.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

The same to Tobey Maguire in No Way Home

[@elliotstannard5621]

@@margarethmichelina5146 totally! I LOVED that film!!!

[@HolyknightVader999]

Er, no. Season 2 Mandalorian was how Luke should have been treated.

[@jankyyard5610]

@@margarethmichelina5146 I heard that Tobey wants to be in the backseat in NWH since its Holland film. And I think they did a great job on that.

[@treyenma5206]

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

[@SequentiallyCompact]

My favorite was when Hawk told Johnny he might be on the autism spectrum, and Johnny responds "Well get off it, pronto!"

[@EE9Civic]

@@SequentiallyCompact "I don't know what that is, but get off it pronto" I also found this hilarious.

[@itai82]

Don't bring your asthma, peanut allergies, or all that other fake stuff into my dojo! "

[@FreakazoidRobots]

The funny thing is that it worked. He never had asthma again.

[@TheCriticalDrinker]

Loved that line. Johnny Lawrence is the hero we all need.

[@murilocaruy]

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

[@darrensteele3365]

Absolutely. In a world full of sjw cw type shows, its desperately needed.

[@darrensteele3365]

@@Loki.Lyesmyth Same. And I'm still surprised everytime they renew it for another season.

[@BenjoC8632]

Best thing that’s come along in YEARS!

[@AdaminPoland]

They gave in a little to the LGBT brigade in S2

[@holdemagroin1167]

Makes you wonder how long it will last. After all, it's a YT original, and google doesn't shy away from PC and SJW agendas.

[@StrawHatLaw13]

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

[@tokyosmash]

As a parent of a high functioning little girl, I laughed to the point where I fell off my couch.

[@catburglar82]

As someone who is on the spectrum, this line killed me too. I remember people dared to have a sense of humor about stuff, before everything became problematic and offensive. I could write volumes about the cathartic power of having a laugh and Cobra Kai hits an endearing sweet spot I love. You just can't serve enough cheese to all the whine nowadays, we need more badasses to save this snowflakey society from nagging itself into oblivion.

[@tokyosmash]

John Mateus it’s brilliant, somehow they did nostalgia where it wasn’t obnoxious.

[@BannedPhotoshop]

@@catburglar82 Did you take his advice and get off the spectrum yet?

[@davisdavis3365]

tokyosmash highfunctioning 😂what does that even mean normal?

[@RagnarokMic]

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

[@zarreff]

Just like the quintessential Gambini ; )

[@samahissimplistic]

Yeah, but honestly, they get redundant and cliché after a while.

[@tomasyevenes7558]

Daniel´s daughter is a stupid bitch, I don´t know if it´s an unpopular opinion or not

[@TehStylishone]

@@samahissimplistic They do, especially when the person that causes the love triangle doesn't fess up to starting it

[@TehStylishone]

@@tomasyevenes7558 she was getting borderline annoying. Robby was smart for not trying anything since he is living at the house at first.

[@nicomal]

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

[@bethbearmacethatguy]

Daniel carries a lot of baggage from his childhood. Cobra kai triggered some sort of PTSD in him and he didn't handle it well.

[@bengough6955]

Yes....this is spot on, I felt this but couldn't articulate what it was that made me root for Johnny and distrust Danny.. nice, good character writing :(

[@bengough6955]

@SpaghettiandSauce ....I think it also....kinda....would win....a lot ;) Aggressive full contact MMA has been shown to smash a while load of traditional Kata based Martial arts.... Usausausa ;) cobra Kai for life

[@alexhayden219]

It's like an onion.

[@samahissimplistic]

That is true, and it makes me a little upset because Danny is one of my favs despite what people say. Honestly hope he and Johnny work things out in season 3, because I don't want to see either of them fail.

[@chrissalmon3222]

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.

[@FatherSaunders]

Same. Binged both seasons and enjoyed it more than i thought i would. Having been a fan of the originals, i thought it was well done. I skipped through some short scenes here and there in season 2 so i hope season 3 doesn't disappoint and start going downhill.

[@tsohgallik]

Yeah I never knew of Cobra Kai until Netflix.

[@carlosrivera2930]

Same. Just 2 days i finished it

[@nicocrestmere9688]

I binged the first 2 seasons minus 2 episodes like a junkie holding on to just a little of his stash for a needed fix in the future. It's so good. This is nostalgia done right!

[@thessop9439]

@@FatherSaunders I hated the ad back then. We watched the first season with my family and boy did we love it.

[@angeloromualdez9957]

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

[@Jack-kx5rf]

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.

[@joselegaspi2549]

Hey man i agree, i loved how in her first interaction with cobra kai she took a kick to the stomach like a champ and came back full force with all her weight fearless. Awesome stuff.

[@Sinyao]

I've thought fat people with stomachs of iron. They can shrug it off.

[@gregorypowell9020]

Actually a couple of the first choices for black widow was Kate Bosworth and an early Blake lively so it worked out ok, Scarlett Johansson looks like a slag at a buffet weight wise compared to way to skinny bone frame of Bosworth, she looks like she'd break a hip stepping off a ladder so her as black widow would have been ridiculous.

[@someguyO2W]

They even did body positivity right. An overweight person working out. Imagine that.

[@carljohan9265]

Women have a different physique than men, so it's only natural that a different fight style is better suited to them.

[@Duranous.]

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

[@Darryl_Francis]

It gets worse

[@kstark321]

probably why it's so successful. One of the main reasons I like it.

[@bone8352]

@@Michael-McCollum it seems to me they threw it in without any story out of nowhere. It felt like pandering even if it was unintentionally.

[@johnsmith651]

bone8352 lesbians exist in the world. Now if they make an episode where Johnny has to get over his homophobia or some shit like that then that would be Annoyinv

[@jonathanxavier2026]

It got made because it pandered to the precious feelings of fragile white men/boys. It was a mediocre show and you lapped that mediocrity up because feelings.

[@bartisreallykewl]

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.

[@lucaspoon4202]

Ya i remember that one. Also funny when Miguel brings up genders in the dojo and he's just like "gender what!?" That part is just great and cracked me up

[@TheRealRiptide01]

Ahh yes the KOBES KAI 😂 🤦‍♂️

[@gatsbymaguire]

Kobe's Kai 💀

[@amfcapone]

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

[@GothamKnight-hsw4vx526430]

THIS lol

[@lankycide77]

Sadly true. I want a good medieval fantasy epic again.

[@skycommander2153]

For me it's like... “What are you watching?” “Cobra Kai.” “Game of thrones is on.” “Who fucking cares?”

[@amfcapone]

@@skycommander2153 lol

[@normadgarmez7026]

Exactly

[@Avarn388]

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.

[@spethmanjones2997]

We were expecting to actually be able to enjoy the new Star Wars films. Little did we know, Rian’s goal was to subvert even _that_ expectation

[@2bituser569]

Gotta give jj some credit he setup a lot of mystery to be expanded on later but Rian shat on that

[@ShamblesMD]

It goes to show how much one person can ruin the work of hundreds/thousands, and upset millions all at the same time.

[@AximandTheCursed]

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

[@ZoolGatekeeper]

You have a problem with that Mr AximandTheCursed?

[@user-vy7xo8kg8d]

@@ZoolGatekeeper ok?

[@guy4835]

He did change. He “reviewed” the Boys season 4 badly despite not watching it.

[@scotznotslopped-empir-1555]

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

[@coreyandersson1786]

scotznotslopped -E m p i r Ǝ- but daddy is behind the curtains

[@JarlinJamesNDK13]

@M H agreed

[@nathanieldiaz5254]

That movie was pretty good though. I even like it more than the original.

[@freakshowfilmfestival3591]

Was a remake not a sequel

[@tigerwarsaw99]

I am not watching that Jaden Smith one, ever.

[@SDesWriter]

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.

[@MrJeffcoley1]

I think season 3 will be the final, the show is a play in 3 acts. At the end of season 2 Johnny has lost his dojo to Kreese, and Daniel is unable to devote time to his because of the demands of his business. Clearly setting up a Rocky/Apollo Creed dynamic vs. Kreese in the 3rd season.

[@saftpackerl]

@@MrJeffcoley1 Dont forget about Ali's possible return. This has still a lot of potential of rivalry between them before the conclusion, as they both clearly are not over her...

[@MrJeffcoley1]

saftpackerl I think Daniels wife might have a thing or two to say about his love interest in Ali!

[@MrJeffcoley1]

InfamousCrimes yes, there is plenty of ore left mine in these stories. The teaser for season three shows Daniel going to Okinawa and learning some more about Mr. Miyagi‘s past. As long as they can keep the quality of the writing and the story where it is, this can be one of the best shows ever on television.

[@labounti]

I feel like everyone besides the moms +moon are bad guys.

[@nicholassupino8775]

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.

[@Zamolxes77]

Well, it's more than a sequel in my opinion, but yeah, is done properly.

[@satchelmouth1]

Well, I think they trashed Johnny a bit. In Karate kid he was the handsome cool guy (yeah bully too) and in this show he became the allround loser.

[@cowboycowboy9592]

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

[@BosunM8James]

There's a novel idea 😆

[@spartan5760]

DO the work no woke writer wants to do. EXPECT riches no one has ever dreamed.

[@CaraBolsaSTUDIOS]

RESPECT THE DORKS, AN GROW THE STONKS

[@2010josem]

its like such a simpleidea right? yet it seems like nobody wants to do this

[@grantimusprimeofficial2732]

What dark sorcery is this

[@thedude6299]

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

[@TheCosta5000]

Lol finally gets the wifi connected and goes straight for the porn lmao, he cracked the internet in 2 minutes.

[@MrJeffcoley1]

I love how they worked that in, so they could show the culture shock of a 1980's character in 2019. Making Johnny into a guy who missed the 90's and 2000's, never owned a computer, and never did anything online may strain credibility but it is effective.

[@thirdgengta]

I know. Johnny's character is full of those funny little moments.

[@patrikmiles9342]

I knew the dinosaurs built the pyramids

[@roberthughes5880]

"Put that on the website...and put a hash-brown on it"! (I even laughed just typing it)

[@johnadamson188]

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.

[@kenlandon6130]

that's depicted as one of his downsides that he evolves away from

[@infinitedonuts]

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.

[@Adino1]

Hawk embodies the get over it and overcome attitude that Kreese/Silver's Cobra Kai preached.

[@RalphJr-xp3hp]

Fuck yeah my dawg. I fucks with Eli/Hawk and I hope they develop his character more in season 3.

[@samahissimplistic]

Yeah, still wasn't cool of him to vandalize his rival dojo and steal the medal of honor. Lost a shit ton of my respect for him after that.

[@frde2190]

@@RalphJr-xp3hp yep well you won’t be disappointed

[@RalphJr-xp3hp]

@@frde2190 that’s good to know. 💯

[@silentandcliche]

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

[@BBDragon66]

I heard season 3 will not require KZbin premium and by the end of the year seasons 1&2 will be available also.

[@silentandcliche]

@@BBDragon66 That's great news!

[@IndyCrewInNYC]

@@BBDragon66 It's confirmed: Season 3 (and presumably Season 4) will be on Netflix.

[@jamesnewton8804]

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

[@brainrich1358]

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.

[@ragnarkisten]

flip the script... brilliant

[@Timelord2001]

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.

[@saftpackerl]

Exactly! And thats Johnny's arc. It's really satisfying to watch him struggle and realize what he's forgotten.

[@samahissimplistic]

Yes, I absolutely agree. And it's really sad Daniel won't ever get that since Miyagi is gone.

[@Zamolxes77]

Yeah, they turned into each other 30 years later. Johnny becomes Miyagi while Daniel becomes a young Johnny. Love the role reversal !

[@jmhaugen4757]

Season 3 sort of goes the route of Daniel reconnecting with his past. If Season 1 and 2 was rehashing the first Karate Kid, Season 3 brings in the second movie.

[@LightningAlchemist13]

And season 3 fixed that when Daniel went to Japan

[@DM_Bluddworth]

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.

[@JackAcid]

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.

[@ABeardedDad]

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.

[@saftpackerl]

@Blood This show is grey areas - like in life. It pokes fun at extreme views. it pokes fun at macho anachronistic world views as well as extreme political correctness aswell. Thats the beauty of it! :) The one character that i found really bland and uninteresting, unrealistic is Johnny's son Robby. He starts out as the (rightfully) pissed and lost kid. And turns pretty quickly into a "perfect son" bland slick non character... Maybe after what he did at the school fight, they can do something interesting with him again. But it wasnt a choice so much than an accident. Hawk already has this arc. We'll see. So many extremely well written characters and one meh character is still a pretty good stat for a show ;)

[@hallwaybeats86]

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%.

[@michaelgarza8271]

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

[@cpwhite44]

Sam is basically Rey. Always fights from on top, never loses or takes even a step backwards.

[@johnclaffey7478]

@@cpwhite44 she's no where near as bad as rey. She is still definitely one of the weaker characters but maybe thats because she is surrounded by great characters with depth. She did have that thing with torry which was cool

[@Rondo2ooo]

I don't even try watching something Disney does. PC gendered, pink, fluffy bs. Nope.

[@williamjameslehy1341]

Sigh, I find myself thinking that often when watching CK. Season 1 even did the Force Awakens thing of having original trilogy scenes play out with new characters (e.g. Miguel getting jumped by Kyler & friends and saved by Johnny, like Daniel got jumped by Johnny & friends and saved by Miyagi). But with Cobra Kai it actually leads somewhere interesting, and references to the OT serve the story in later seasons. Whereas with new Star Wars, the nostalgia references feel forced, and what little originality there is is lame as hell.

[@niahoad]

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

[@SicilianoFilms]

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."

[@bobfleischmann5208]

I agree - that WAS the best line!

[@robweissman5952]

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

[@darthkek1953]

You mean Dumberer and Dumberest?

[@aurorauplinks]

What if George Lucas is on the writing staff?

[@ShamblesMD]

In the end, the producers get what they want. It's shocking how many great screenplays have been destroyed by producers and agendas. Especially all the EU stories in Star Wars.

[@robo2901]

Star Wars is dead. Disney killed it.

[@theblocksays]

What? Somebody whose NOT J J Abrams or any of his cronies form Bad Robot to touch nostalgia WE THE MOUSE hold sway over? Preposterous!

[@doublep1980]

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.

[@evertonporter7887]

Remakes and sequels CAN work, if the writing is good and they respect and honour the source material.

[@biggusdickus2166]

the hair metal parody fantasy scene was my favourite

[@ArmyWolves]

"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.

[@jamesr123]

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.

[@mango8127]

I never had a problem with tune in C.K. but that's my opinion.

[@MetalGamer666]

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.

[@Resvrgam]

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.”

[@defencebangladesh4068]

true

[@mango8127]

Hawk is my fav.

[@mynamejeff8401]

Vision X I hate that kid

[@ReaLMoisan]

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.

[@cyranodebergerac6587]

I know what you mean but I guess they're just trying to widen the age-appeal. I was terrified that they'd screw up the second season but I'm glad it all worked out - there's still plenty of unpozzed show left to make it well worth watching.

[@mategov]

I hated the stingray, and Miguel's end. But I hope it will get better again.

[@JC-ce8fn]

though I agree, I would not say unrealistic i mean... i was that kind of kid a few years ago and kissing a girl back then was such a big deal.

[@TheCriticalDrinker]

Agreed. I get that it's kind of a passing-the-torch story, and it makes sense to give the next generation their own plot arcs, but the adults are what everyone really watches the show for. Hopefully they don't surrender what made Cobra Kai so fun and unique, now that it's becoming more mainstream.

[@stormsigma]

FOR (claps hands) REAL (claps hands). A friggin' fight between like 20 kids that proceeds through multiple main areas of the school for something like 20 minutes without a single authority in sight? WAT. In real life, as soon as the general ruckus started, that hallway would have been immediately full as doors started blasting open and adult authority figures converged from every direction and started slamming everyone against the lockers until the school resource officer could arrive to start clearing the scene. That completely took me out of the immersion tbh.

[@noelv1976]

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

[@meggrotte4760]

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

[@bronstet]

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.

[@Meloncholymadness]

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.

[@richardpowell4281]

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

[@Aeric98]

Richard Powell that’s probably what put the idea in the writers heads

[@silentandcliche]

It was a take on forums and fan sites far before HIMYM brought it up. But, I'm glad it popularized it!

[@mattott4274]

I'm pretty sure one of the creators mentions those HIMYM bits as part of his inspiration for wanting to build this series in this way.

[@shilliojr]

Haha yeah I remembered that when the trailer for season 1 was released

[@clevelandbrown4571]

It's too bad How I Met Your Mother didn't predicted they would have a terrible finale. *swish*

[@vergilvalerian3755]

"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.

[@craftpaint1644]

Later at the school when the teacher is imploring students to pick identity sensitive Halloween costumes was a nice way to weave some modern scholastic reality in 👩‍🔧🇺🇲🛠️🇷🇺

[@ZetZatar]

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

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

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

[@orc001]

I mean I thought it was pretty good xD

[@jazzbollywood]

Cobra Kai never die.

[@Nearsightedfarseer]

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

[@brandonf24]

A dick...he spray-painted a dick. Too much euphemistic language in the world as it is...dare to be a little crass. Unsanitized language has more meaning and nuance. 👍

[@chadpowell1832]

So........ a dick ? Edit: the guy above me confirmed my theory

[@MrJeffcoley1]

Don't forget he also took a shit on the billboard. "Aw, I just stepped in dog shit?" "How would a dog get up here?" (the face of horror)

[@eily_b]

@@brandonf24 It wasn't a dick, it was a rocket ship. 😎

[@brandonf24]

@@eily_b okay, death to smoochie kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIurpaKEbrZsoLs

[@johansmallberries9874]

Just finished season 3 and this show just gets better.

[@hurnidan]

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.

[@garrettvelkjar3136]

Daniels trip to Japan is pretty bad, basically every problem he has gets conveniently solved in the span of like a day in a fairly unsatisfying way just because the plot kind of needs it to happen. Overall it is still good and he learns some interesting stuff about Miyagi do karate giving him a more balanced perspective.

[@andrewortiz1784]

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

[@PejaBog]

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 *

[@RasoKye]

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.

[@RoninRaconteur]

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!

[@u.v.s.5583]

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

[@bobbyricelatinjazzbigband]

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!!!

[@MartinFWhite]

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.

[@johannesschlichting8852]

As much as you're the greatest youtuber, this one I won't listen to entirely, as the first three minutes are enough to make me watch the show. Rest may contain spoilers. Roll on dude

[@Tman001100]

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

[@SteezLouise]

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.

[@atutor224]

It somehow feels like cheap cheesy entertainment and gives you things to think about at the same time.

[@aracuscesar]

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

[@bone8352]

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

[@Meloncholymadness]

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.

[@GiovanniV69]

Your wish is granted... Silver does return.

[@Meloncholymadness]

@@GiovanniV69 Yes, I was disappointed by his soft character to begin with, but the ending proved he's very sly and I believe he's going to be very dangerous from here on. :D

[@Eternaldarkness3166]

@@Meloncholymadness Barnes will be back, following the show's and movie's formula, it only makes sense lol

[@deathscytex]

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.

[@sabatheus]

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."

[@CodeeXD]

Sir! Nothing green Sir!

[@netrolancer1061]

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

[@mrjack8849]

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.

[@dominiqueodom3099]

I remember watching this show on KZbin Red last year and binged it all in One night. Hands down,one of the most genuinely well written shows in the past few years,and season 3 is my most anticipated show of 2021. I've laughed and cried with this show so many times because I don't think I've seen a show with such a relevant message for today's young generation that I'm apart of.

[@TeddyOG]

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

[@edwardmarlowe7926]

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

[@arudenko87]

First season kicks off 30 years after the original movie ends. It's a very good movie to watch. Only the original Karate kid from the 80s, don't watch the sequels, those are a waste of potential.

[@HarosOfStyx]

Of course. I was hesitant, but I loved the series so much.

[@TheCriticalDrinker]

Yeah, it'll be fine. A bit of knowledge of the original helps with some of the in-jokes, but it fills in enough of the blanks to enjoy on its own merits.

[@Avarn388]

@@arudenko87 I enjoy the second movie, but it was a clear step down from the original. The third movie is garbage and the Next.

[@edwardmarlowe7926]

@@TheCriticalDrinker understood, I'll give it a watch then. Thanks

[@evanroberts2771]

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...

[@orc001]

Should have just gone for the kill

[@EliWintercross]

I dunno what the rules are in karate tournaments, but in Taekwondo kicks to the head are legal.

[@JadeDude1973]

The rules are explicitly stated at the start of the tournament. My memory sucks, though, so I couldn't tell you what they were LOL

[@AeneasGemini]

It's super hypocritical that they say Miguel was bad for winning in season one with a *perfectly legal* move, but somehow Karuso was totally fine in the original movie

[@brandonf24]

@@AeneasGemini laruso?

[@rickhernandez2114]

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..

[@TobiAnimados]

And well, did you watch it?

[@rickhernandez2114]

@@TobiAnimados and now I have. Drinker -- as his ever loquacious, discerning, and debonair self again hit a bull's eye on this recommendation. "Karate kid updated" is in my top 2 of shows this year. Who would have guessed that?

[@TobiAnimados]

@@rickhernandez2114 Cool! I also love this show!

[@aracuscesar]

agrred, i remember only pieces of the original karate kid and didnt care much. then i found cobra kai and damn, i got hooked. Had to watch the original 3 just to enjoy cobra kai to the fullest

[@luisgentil]

I think no one expected this to be any good. It came out completely out of sync with modern entertainment, based on a movie that although was held dear by many people didn't exactly had a fanbase that expected anything more from it. Truly a nice surprise for a change.

[@stevenpeeven3169]

I f**king love this series. I always find my allegiances changing between characters and just when you think 2 characters will make up, something gets in the way, and we start over. Great watch

[@NKA23]

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

[@bengough6955]

Glad I gave this a shot...first show in ages that I enjoyed and made me smile, just for the sheer fun of it. Also, I'm assuming this is intentional, but I'm not the only one that thinks A) Johnny is a better guy than Danny this time round and, B) the tension between Cobra and Miagi is mainly Danny's fault for not being able to give Johnny a chance? If I missed something I'll go back and watch it but I really felt like all of Miagi Do was supposed to look like the "good guys" but was underpinned with prejudice and irrational fear that lead to a lot of problems, most of which Johnny isn't really to blame for?

[@CoolHardLogic]

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

[@jaswingnut]

I think they did.

[@TheRealRiptide01]

@@jaswingnut umm?

[@50calBeowulf]

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

[@abhisheksainani]

I've already watched this show twice. Every episode is gold! Thanks for recommending. 🙂 Hawk, is the best 👌 excited for season 5!

[@la8208]

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.

[@thatguywesmaranan]

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

[@neamraven]

Subversion, it's all the rage now. It's yet another thing postmodernism loves and promotes. Personally I'm not a big fan of it, especially when overused.

[@Millz194]

neamraven the big difference however is the measure of scale in which subversion is utilized, it’s always been there. With Star Wars the subversion is lame and narrow and doesn’t actually change anything about the premise. A female Jedi who pops out of nowhere immediately beating the best the Sith have to offer? That’s a Mary Sue and doesn’t change the fact that the Rebellion is still the underdog in literally every movie in the franchise. Cobra Kai? We take the virtuous character from the original film and put him on top this time, and our previous villain is now operating from a position of weakness, exposing himself to all his flaws in order to overcome them in a way that requires the way both main characters operate to fundamentally change! The reason this is exciting is because it’s more realistic. People change and so do their life situations, why can’t media properly reflect this if not for lame studios not wanting to take a real chance on actual character development?

[@neamraven]

@@Millz194 People change, to a degree, yes. Or they just find new things about themselves, whatever. Sure, fair enough. What I'm talking about is more the subversion of archetypes just because. Like what has previously been considered heroic is now considered villainous and vice versa just because subversion and deconstruction and because reasons.

[@Rhamsody]

Yeah. Daniel was a dick in season two.

[@CynicalOldDwarf]

I like that Daniel 'became' a smarmy dick. I say 'became', because he was always a raging dick in the original movies, prone to violent outbursts and always picking fights. Him becoming a car salesman is a natural progression of his character

[@watchparty1]

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

[@aranduyo4597]

"put some hashbrowns on it!" - Johnny Lawrence

[@mroutcast8515]

Man this show is biggest surprise of of the past decade and while awaiting for Season 6, I even started browsing some old reviews. Absolute guilty pleasure (as Karate Kid is one o movies I grew up with on TV) that is actually brilliant unlike how mostly guilty pleasures go. Everything just freaking works, and works extremely well.

[@Jorge-wg9tq]

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

[@SongOfStorms411]

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.

[@Cairo40000]

"Do you even know what any of those terms mean?" "Do I look like I pee sitting down?"

[@assclappinsomeonerightnow]

Sex ed has some woke shit but done right, ash v evil dead is pretty similar to cobra kai and its on netflix

[@ilxyaeger]

thank youuuuuu The Critical Drinker ! COBRA KAI NEVER die!

[@adanolmeda4413]

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.

[@danbh84]

You’re right. It got a bit silly in the finale. However, it was still awesome. Cant wait for season 3

[@maxinepaul2]

Totally agree not as good as first but still enjoyable

[@waleedkhalid7486]

You are right about many of the fight scenes. Most of the child actors clearly aren’t used to martial arts so they don’t make it look so good, but it was serviceable.

[@whitegluestick6039]

@@waleedkhalid7486 Miguels actor is good and hawks actor gets better in season 2 but with the other fight scenes there's alot of cuts trying to make it look better

[@Gojeto346]

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!

[@mattmatt7305]

Best freakin’ continuation show EVER! It’s bloody genius. For one simple reason. It gives the fans and audiences WHAT THEY WANT! No deconstruction. No “brave new spin”. It’s just bloody brilliant!

[@WellManNerd]

Critical Drinker, you intoxicating, intoxicated masterpiece, thanks for doing this one! I am looking forward to Miyagi Kai combined dojo.