“Cobra Kai” is a bit formulaic, and every season follows the same beats — Danny and Johnny try to work together, and seem to be getting along until a disagreement explodes out of proportion and they fight. The kids do the same, with a disagreement causing at least one of them to suddenly switch sides so we have someone we know on every team. Season 6 is no exception, and many of the plot-required disagreements and fights are a tad too contrived. Without seeing the big picture of the entire season it feels like conflict for the sake of conflict.
What saves the formula is that, after six years, the characters are finally grown up (yes, even our middle-aged characters) and even the most forced disagreements feel less petty. The show has always been at its best when focusing on the characters, and the same applies in this season. Particularly great is the arc of Tory and Sam, and how their dynamic and relationship changes now that they are forced to be in the same team. After years of deep hatred and hurt, Peyton List and Mary Mouser give their characters some surprising maturity, resisting the easy bait and evolving as people.
The same can be said about Johnny and Daniel. It’s good to see “Cobra Kai” offer a different side to their bickering relationship in season 6. I noted in my season 5 review that the biggest sign that the show was evolving and moving to its endgame was that we were finally starting to see a light on the other side of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament tunnel, and the five episodes that make up the first of three parts for season 6 double down on that.
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