Jon Crunch: Review: “Cobra Kai” Season 2 is an Emotional Kick in the Gut

When the first season of “Cobra Kai” debuted on YouTube Premium last year I was immediately smitten.

I wrote in my review of the first season that the show was “less a reboot and more a sequel to the original movie.”

The second season of “Cobra Kai” further develops the rivalry between characters Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka).

When the second season begins, retro-minded Lawrence has clawed his way out of a low-rent existence, spruced himself up, and led his newfangled Cobra Kai dojo to a win at the Under 18 All Valley Karate Championships.

(There is a scene illustrating his newfound confidence involving a custom Cobra Kai-inspired paint job on the Challenger he obtained during the first season... )

Unfortunately, his journey to redemption hits a snag when former sensei John Kreese (Martin Kove) returns “from the dead” and reinserts himself in Lawrence’s life.

At the same time, LaRusso works to bring back Miyagi-Do Karate (building on the principles Mr. Miyagi used to guide him in “The Karate Kid”) so he can properly train Johnny’s estranged son Robby (Tanner Buchanan) — who he befriended and mentored during the first season — along with additional students.

As the 10 episodes progress, LaRusso and Lawrence continue their burgeoning rivalry. The season’s arc develops during the summer months, meaning the students from the competing dojos can explore their relationships outside the context of school.

Viewers are treated to more exploration of the budding relationship between Robby and Daniel’s daughter Sam (Mary Mouser).

A new girl named Tory (Peyton List) comes on the scene and joins Cobra Kai. She and Lawrence protégé Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) strike up a friendship.

We also delve more deeply into the psyche of recovering geek Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz (Jacob Bertrand).

“Cobra Kai” manages to up the ante between rival dojos in the second season. Both of our protagonists — Lawrence and LaRusso — have soul-searching moments.

The second season explores what happens when a childhood rivalry goes too far. All of this simmers to a boil in a season finale that is shocking, tragic, and shows no mercy.

In that regard, the second season of “Cobra Kai” is more in tune with the 1986 movie “The Karate Kid Part II” — where the narrative sees karate intertwining with life-and-death situations.

As Mr. Miyagi once said, “This not tournament. This for real.”

It dawned on me during those closing moments just how invested I am in these characters.

I mentioned in my 2018 review of “Cobra Kai” season 1 that the series was created by the minds behind movies like the “Harold & Kumar” franchise, “American Reunion,” and “Hot Tub Time Machine.”

As a result, the second season of “Cobra Kai” isn’t all melancholy.

There is a geeky adult who joins Cobra Kai named Raymond (Paul Walter Hauser) who injects some sophomoric humor into the second season.

This felt like an attempt to infuse a vibe similar to the movie “Old School.” I don’t know if the gag quite worked. It kind of felt out of place in a season featuring so much emotional heft.

There were other moments that seemed “uneven” in the second outing of “Cobra Kai.” For example, I thought certain parts of the “Kreese plotline” were a bit heavy-handed.

I also thought it was interesting to see 1989’s “The Karate Kid Part III” become a point of reference in “Cobra Kai” season 2 (since “Part III” was a pretty forgettable entry in the movie series).

Macchio addresses the “Cobra Kai” references to “The Karate Kid Part III” in a recent podcast interview with Bill Simmons (also includes some interesting tidbits about Macchio’s early acting career):

Overall, my quibbles are minor. The second season strikes a decent balance in the narrative threads.

I have to say the writers/creators did a solid job on “Cobra Kai” season 2. They’ve created a reboot/sequel to the original “Karate Kid” movies that is fresh, fun and compelling.

The second season also manages to transcend “80s nostalgia” to become its own living, breathing thing. That’s a good sign moving forward.

It was announced last week that “Cobra Kai” has been renewed for a third season (surprising no one). I’ve also heard that Elisabeth Shue is set to reprise her role as Ali Mills next season.

It’s neat to see them getting the band back together in “Cobra Kai” (via character additions and cameos).

I’ve made no secret that I love “Cobra Kai.” In my mind, it is one of the best things going on television today.

I’m just bummed we have to wait another year to watch more!

Highly recommended.

P.S. — If you haven’t seen this ESPN 30-for-30 “Mockumentary” about Daniel LaRusso vs. Johnny Lawrence at the 1984 All Valley Karate Championship, check it out: