When I first watchedCobra Kai, I stopped it five minutes in.
This is a true story.
There was no way this show was this good.
Cobra Kai, starring Ralph Macchio, comes to an end this month.Image: Netflix
To double-check I wasnt only watching through nostalgia-colored glasses.
Because, to me, this show was something miraculous.
Something Id never seen before.
Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) returns on a quest for redemption inCobra Kai.– Netflix
A sequel that felt almost birthed from my very own dreams.
On February 13, though, that all comes to an end.
Even its star wanted nothing to do with it.
Bringing backThe Karate Kid Part II‘s villain Chozen (played by Yuji Okumoto) was a huge moment. – Netflix
and Id be like, just No way!
Thats just not happening.
How do you go back to that?
Elisabeth Shue from the originalKarate Kidwas a must-have cameo. – Netflix
And still, Hollywood tried.
Most people, however, arent me.
I grew up with the first threeKarate Kidfilms and always loved them unconditionally.
Cameos even extend to the cars. – Netflix
The story of hard work, heroism, and mentorship has always been a part of me.
The Karate KidwasStar Warsto them.
They know more about theKarate Kidfilms and, certainly the original film, than I know.
They are the ultimateKarate Kidfans on the planet.
They had the idea to write and create what they believe the fans would want to see.
That balance is why, to me,Cobra Kaihas become more than a show.
In which almost every possible character was revisited.
Youve seen movie sequels before.
Youve even seen some great ones.
But how many have been this thorough, filled with passion, and experienced this longevity?
I think that the stars aligned in a lot of ways, Schlossberg told io9 recently.
Were just really appreciative and thankful that things worked out in the best possible way.
These days, so many moviesespecially from the eras of the 1980s and 1990sget sequels.
And while some of those have been good, most of the time theyre just fine.
Which is something that only gets deeper in the final episodes.
As a fan, Im still reeling at some of the things I saw on the show.
I saw Johnny Lawrence becoming a Mr. Miyagi-style mentor and bringing back Cobra Kai.
I saw Terry Silver return to wreak havoc in the karate world.
I saw two young high school kids go on a date to Golf N Stuff again.
I saw Daniel and Johnny once again fawning over Ali Mills.
There were multiple new All Valley Tournaments.
I saw the Get him a body bag guyactually get taken out in a body bag.
And again, no spoilers, but the final five episodes have even more of these all-time moments.
You go back to the same feelings that you had in 1984, Macchio said of the final episodes.
Its pretty well done.
Im pretty proud to be part of it.
Some may call six seasons of Teenage Karate Wars based on a film series with diminishing returns overkill.
Thats certainly a valid point of view.
ButCobra Kaihas also been an almost perfectly executed geek fantasy.
A story with everything you couldve ever wanted, and plenty of things you never knew you needed.
Basically, whether you were aKarate Kidfan before the showor became one afterCobra Kaiwas a dream come true.
Because thats what superfans Hurwitz, Schlossberg, and Heald found withCobra Kai.
They found magic and made a monument to the grand potential and possibility of what a sequel could be.
And that greatness is actually possible.
I made my wife watch it to be sure.
Cobra Kaiiscurrently streaming on Netflix.
Its final episodes debut on February 13.
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