We waited a long time, or so it felt. 2020 delayed almost everything in our lives, including beloved television shows. Of course, absence can make the heart grow fonder AND it can, also, make us more critical or demanding. If you do not agree, just go back and a take a look at the year we all would like to soon forget. This is why I am moving on…
While I would usually recommend rewatching the previous season, or at least glossing over it, the mark of a great story is when you can pick it up without having to do that and never lose a beat. Also, in a similar fashion to the original film franchise that this spin-off series is based on, the makers of the show have elected to provide us little snippets of the plot, leading up to where we had left off. I can say that from personal experience, going through such a thing when you are trying to go straight through the entire story is annoying. However, if you are, indeed, picking things up from the start of the new season, it has a certain value which is helpful.
Something we have all become familiar with is the yo-yo cycle of Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). 
We know that he will have his ups and downs and that when he is down, it is more down than most of us have had to endure. There is a certain comfort in that, though. Somehow, it is uplifting because if HE can bounce back, then who cannot?…
In any case, Lawrence is back to his old drinking habits (and reckless activities) and it is all as a result to him feeling as if he failed not just one, but two teenaged boys. One of them happens to be his flesh-and-blood son, Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan), and the other one is something of a surrogate, Miguel Diaz (Xolo Mariduena). They have both begun difficult transitions and neither of them are easy or fair.
What it comes down to is the tone and energy, from the outset. To me, it seemed too high-pitched and fast-paced. Where else have I seen that on Netflix recently? Please do not answer that! If you know, just keep it to yourself and spare everyone else if you can. I was hearing laughable lines, which made half-sensed references to former, nostalgic plots and characters and I watched Lawrence do things to get where he wanted to go that even seemed far-fetched for THIS world and this character. However, one or two episodes do not a season make, one way or another.
I would recommend that everyone stay open-minded in the early going of “Cobra Kai, Season 3,” cause the bulky, middle portion of the story is what really thrives this time around. For now, be prepared for a little misdirection in the development of John Kreese (Martin Kove) and Tory Nichols (Peyton List). If you ever wondered whether or not you could feel sympathetic about either of these characters, think again! I found myself admitting two things: Netflix REALLY knows how to feature great cinematography for their various projects AND not all surprises are bad, even if they seem out-of-place. Shall we continue?…
Lawrence eventually decides to enlist the help of an old friend, who happened to make an appearance in the previous season and I was glad to see him return. Bobby (Ron Thomas) volunteers to help Lawrence with his perpetually estranged son. However, he still finds himself having to choose between Robby and Miguel and either way, someone is going to be left feeling disappointed. While this is going on, the goals seem to be shifting with the likes of “Hawk” (Jacob Bertrand) and Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mouser). As the respective leaders of their dojo posses, they are in charge when the senses is not around. I wanted there to be more layers for Hawk, as we previously saw in the last two seasons, but he has become a less-dynamic antagonist and as a result his crowd has become a lot more sinister. What is interesting is that Sam has apparently taken the rest of her Dad’s students further down the trail to the dark side. That might be a bit closer to normal, in terms of what we would expect to see happen in real life, though.
So why is Sam so out-of-sorts? Well, she suffered greatly in her own way at the end of Season 2 and has not had enough time to recover from that, but her home life has also become unstable. Without saying it directly, “Cobra Kai” showcases the challenges that face a family of one parent, compared to two. That parent happens to be Amanda LaRusso (Courtney Henggeler). Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) is off to the Far East, mostly looking for inspiration during troubled times, and a tremendous amount of nostalgic flashbacks are front and center AND are executed quite well. I see this as a big point in the season’s favor.
By the second half of Season 3, a number of familiar details are recycled from the first season: Miguel is assisting Lawrence with modern technology and interpersonal communication along the way and Lawrence gets back into good graces with Rose Diaz (Rose Bianco). However, Lawrence has become much more involved with Miguel and it shows in ways that we probably could not have imagined before. What he is losing track of is the buildup within the walls of his former dojo. Kreese has upped the ante and fostered a seed of explosive aggression amongst his new pupils.
One of the more fun aspects that develops at this point is the emergence of a new dojo. Now, you can see more than just the Black & White, Good vs. Evil curvature. A compromised option surfaces and I find myself hoping that it will have enough momentum to stay alive in the upcoming season, but only time will tell.
The melodrama of the early episodes reaches a different level and comes off as preachy and over-acted late into the season. Just keep in mind that courtroom types of scenes tend to go that way frequently, anyhow. Thankfully, the final two episodes make up, somewhat, for those painful moments. 
All I will say is that there is a lot of very solid editing and choreography and a crucial character backstory is tied in nicely with the ending. Another strong point in this season’s favor is the wonderful incorporation of iconic characters from the original trilogy of movies. Nothing seems forced and everyone reprises their roles with adequate dignity and respect.
The immediate reaction to “Cobra Kai, Season 3” has been overwhelmingly positive. While I am no different in my overall assessment, I would caution everyone not allow their emotions to dictate their total response, on the whole. A show is unique from a film in that it can be broken down into segments more easily. Think of it as listening to a band’s music album, as opposed to one, live concert of the same band. The score ought to reflect the entire project and not just a handful of great, memorable tunes. From top to bottom, I favor Season 2 over 3, just a bit. However, this season might remain more popular, due to its greatest moments being greater than those of its predecessor. Again, only time will tell… 
Creators: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Based on: “The Karate Kid,” by Robert Mark Kamen
Starring: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Jacob Bertrand, Martin Kove and Gianni Decenzo as Demetri
Production: Counterbalance Entertainment, Westbrook Studios and Sony Pictures Television Studios
Network: Netflix
Release date: January 1st, 2021
