WARNING! MAJOR SPOILERS
There is so much emotion to process. I have been watching Cobra Kai since it debuted on Netflix in 2020. Five years later and the series has had its matches and its epic clashes, but above all the themes of honor, mentorship, trust, love, reconciliation and redemption prevail no matter what reveals or tensions rise. I have to say that seeing Mr. Miyagi fight alongside Daniel San in some sort of AI CGI mixed with captures of he great actor was amazing, and Johnny Lawerance getting his second chance to be champion was not something I expected. The series has really come full circle, with so many great moments. I though it was neat Daniel becomes Johnny's Cobra Kai Sensei and he trains him on the beach, the very place their rivalry began in the original Karate Kid, and that it is Daniel that helps Johnny find the balance he needs to Strike Hard and become World Champion.
I have to say that one of my favorite characters is Kreese, a Vietnam Vet who was the villain of the original Karate Kid, who has been an antagonist through much of the Cobra Kai Series, but in these last released episodes finally found redemption, the scene of him and Johnny reonciling, when Johnny say,s "I love you man," and the two hug is so powerful, you realize Kreese was Johnny's true father, and Kreese at that point has come to repentance for his evils, and the two cradling each other have that moment of total forgiveness and compassion for one another. I did not see coming Kreese sacrificing himself on the Yacht to kill Silver, who plans to make Johnny's new burgeoning family hostages, the throwing of the cigar on the gasoline tank and spilled petrol as he says with such gravitas, "No Mercy!' Was so epic, I do not think I will ever forget it. Kreese not only repents of his sins, helps a friend see their way, he gives his life to protect Johnny from the true psychopathic monster Silver, echoing Jesus words, "no greater love is there than this, that man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13).
Spiritually there was duality this time. In one episode as Chorizon goes on blind date, the New Age lady does Tarot cards, it is getting rather alarming how common Tarot is becoming, in England people are obsessed, and even grocery stores were I live carry Tarot decks now. I did like Johnny went to his Pastor friend and talked with him in The Church, you see the lit up cross, and he decides to do right and marry his love who is giving birth, even having The Pastor friend marry them before the baby is born, talk about cutting it close for born in wedlock haha, not that I think God is cruel, he knows our passions get the best of us, hence His Passion of Cross covers all sins. (1 Peter 2:24, Revelation 1:5).
The closing scene in the Chinese restaurant where Daniel and his Mother in Original Karate Kid were when Daniel goes to check out Cobra Kai, that Daniel and Johnny are there now to eat, a fly comes in, and Daniel San takes up the chop sticks, and we get the scenes for original Karate Kid as Young Daniel San catches the fly with the chop sticks to Mr. Miyagi's chagrin who says, "beginner luck," and this time in present day when Daniel is about to catch the fly with his sticks, Johnny smashing the fly into the sticks and says, "Got it, Strike First." It was great crescendo, and end to the series. I must say that the series began to suffer in later seasons with the having to up the stakes, the drama, the fights, and even the behavior that would frankly put a lot of these people behind bars; but you suspend your disbelief.
Closing Cobra Kai is very melancholy for me. I loved the First Four Karate Kid movies, especially the Original, and Cobra Kai and its cast has felt like a family, especially when I was cut off from my own and lived homeless in a car for those years. I felt like Johnny, a loser, and that at some point I lost my championship at some point earlier in my life, so I connected with him and Tory who struggle so. I loved Miguel and Hawk, both of them my favorites of the younger generation after Tory. Kreese though remains the one who has a strong effect on me, that he gets his redemption arch that I suspected was coming a few seasons ago. I think his tombstone should have on it, "Cobra Kai Never Dies," for his teachings and memories will live on in Johnny Lawerance and his Cobrai Kai Dojo. Amen.
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