Cobra Kai Season 4 Review: Flies Higher And Higher With A Series Of Bold And Disruptive Narrative Choices

Starring: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Xolo Maridueña, Courtney Henggeler, Mary Mouser

Creators: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg

Streaming Platform: Netflix (click to watch)

Ratings: 3.5/5 (three and half star) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Netflix started 2021 with the premiere of the third season of ‘Cobra Kai‘ and has decided to say goodbye to the year with the launch of the fourth season of this series located in the ‘Karate Kid’ universe. A curious bet but of which its followers are sure to be delighted, because lately it has been usual to have to wait longer than usual for the arrival of new episodes of our favorite television fictions. A few days ago I shared with you my impressions of the first five episodes of this fourth season and already then I was telling you that I had my doubts about whether the series had managed to exceed the level of the first batch of episodes. Once seen in full, it is clear to me that at least it is the one that I liked the most despite lacking the surprise effect something with great merit, since surely there were not a few who expected that ‘Cobra Kai’ was already exhausted at this stage.

Cobra Kai Season 4 The Story

The fourth year begins with a comic register based on the quarrels that inevitably permeate the relationship between the two ancient rivals as they try to prepare their respective students for the Karate Tournament of the Valley. Those who lose will have to abandon the sport, so the stakes are so high as to justify the setting aside of rivalry and differences. However, the coexistence of the two masters and their respective methods seems impractical: Johnny’s aggressive attack style – which subjects the boys to extreme training – and that – structured around Daniel’s defense, intent on teaching meditation and carp fishing.to riotous teenagers – they are apparently irreconcilable as are the personalities of the two teachers, temperamentally opposed but equally stubborn and envious of each other. The hilarious dispute underlies the examination of a more serious topic, that of teaching and training for young people. Miguel & co. they move into adulthood by making their own choices, and hopefully demonstrating more wisdom than their mentors, so as to come up with a happy compromise. 

As mentioned, the contrast between Daniel’s boring wisdom and Johnny’s frantic attempts to revive the machismo of the ’80s is a must-have comic relief, especially in the early part of the season. The register changes in the second part, becoming more dramatic. To promote the narrative in this direction, the introduction of a new character, the very young victim of bullying Kenny, enlisted among the members of the Kreese dojo. He is given too much time, with the result that the second half of the narrative is not very smooth and focused. The suspicion is that the writers prepare the ground for the new generation of protagonists (after Miguel, Sam and the other high school students have graduated) however this appears to be a premature move. As announced at the end of the third season, the fourth will culminate with the Valley tournament. Preceded by grueling training, it is the pretext for a myriad of impeccable martial choreographies coordinated by the talented Don Lee of Daredevil, among the most memorable in the recent serial panorama.

Cobra Kai Season 4 Review and Analysis

The narrative structure of this fourth season is yet another variation on the theme of the previous ones: here too a villain seen in Karate Kid has the opportunity to show his reasons and offer his own version of events that in fact invalidates the point of view previous. This expedient has so far favored a process of at least partial redemption of the character that has always been repeated without variations, but which after three seasons is deconstructed by the arrival of the sociopath Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith). The latter, allied again with Kreese, was the one who had cruelly tormented Daniel in Karate Kid 3. His advent enlivens the story and gives the series new dynamics, up to a stunning cliffhanger that leaves the viewer in awe for the next season.

It is quite rare to witness a series of such vitality after four years and that courageously starts a fifth revolutionizing itself and its format. Cobra Kai promises to do so thanks to the addition of Silver and the evolution of the character of Tory. It is thanks to her that the system of courses and appeals that made up the quadrilogy is broken. In her the spirits of the characters of the young Johnny and Daniel merge, and in fact the dissolution of this dualism constitutes a breaking point with the past. Silver, an irredeemable figure, is the other instrument of fracture: the fifth season will start from scratch and the enthusiasm for the unwritten future of Cobra Kai is already skyrocketing.

Cobra Kai’s fourth season therefore focuses on betting between dojos. Kreese’s has new recruits and the figure of Robby is increasingly central to the Cobra Kai sensei project, while Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso must try to make things work by combining their dojos but above all two very different fighting styles between they. This will cause many problems for the two sensei and for the coexistence of their students. On the other hand, Kreese has a new ally, which seems to be capable – both economically and mentally – of turning the fate of the All Valley in favor of the Cobra Kai.

The most important news of this fourth season are to be found in the presence of Terry Silver, who appeared in the third film of the Karate Kid saga, and in the collaboration relationship of Johnny and Daniel.

The presence of Terry Silver is a real needle in the balance of the relations between the protagonists. His presence on the stage is powerful and vibrant, his thinking and acting reflect very well what was one of the most violent characters of the original film saga. There is no doubt that for the plot, his presence is a very important added value, also for the purposes of what will happen in the fifth season.

The collaboration between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence is the funniest but also the most intimate part of the story. The two characters are somehow forced to collaborate and seeing Johnny and Daniel trying to learn each other’s techniques is a lot of laugh. The other side of the coin is the psychological change that Johnny and Daniel make to try to get closer to each other. Their stories are poles apart and they have always been sworn enemies but a stronger opponent has managed to make them understand which aspects of life matter most.

Cobra Kai 4 The Last Words

The fourth season of Cobra Kai is superior to the third in several respects and is undoubtedly the darkest and most difficult season for the protagonists of the Netflix series. I was delighted with the fifth season of ‘Cobra Kai’. I already knew it was a very entertaining series, but this new installment fell short of how much fun I was having watching it. In addition, the return of Terry Silver has been luxurious when I just thought that he could load it and the opposite has happened, it has improved it.