Like almost every other child of the 1980s and ‘90s, at some point, I was exposed to the 1984 classic, “The Karate Kid.” No matter how many times I watch the film, the moment that stands out the most is the final one: a Crane Kick to the face, delivered by Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Maccio, “Psych: The Movie”) and received by Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka, “Where Hope Grows”). There was a total of three sequels, two containing the same main character, while the last switched things out for a girl. Effectively, it was a spin-off. There was, also, a remake, though it has been speculated that this was not the original plan, but, rather, an alteration, in order to cash in on the nostalgia of the franchise.

Regardless of how any of us feel about any of the sequels or spin-off or “remake,” we have not forgotten about the original and as long as it is in our memories, we can forgive the follow-ups and, even, enjoy them for what they were, good or bad. Needless to say, when YouTube announced that they would be releasing a new series, focused squarely on the recent aftermath of the character of Johnny Lawrence, there was little that they needed to do to sale the product. We were all going to watch it, no matter what the quality was. Thankfully, “Cobra Kai” was of high quality and most of us were appreciative of what we got and probably wanted more. Of course, we all knew that there would be another season, based on how the first season wrapped up, but now there would be a new challenge for YouTube. After all, nostalgia can only be taken so far.

Days before season two of “Cobra Kai” dropped on YouTube, a unique and humorous “mock doc” was posted. It was meant to serve in getting the fans, or any other prospective viewers, interested in the new season and, in my view, it worked well. Additionally, I cannot help but wonder if ESPN has been losing viewers for its “30 for 30” series, which has been going on for a good 10 years or so. Perhaps, this mockumentary held a duel purpose, but who knows? In any case, I, along with everyone else, was curious to see how season two of “Cobra Kai” would unfold.

Back in the ‘80s, we always knew the good guys from the bad guys and aside form a few moments of inner conflict, there was, typically, minimal common ground between the heroes and villains. “The Karate Kid” was no different. However, much like the days more common to the 1970s of the anti-hero, today there is much more interest in depth for the bad guys, especially when we learned so little about about them at the initial point of conflict. Season one of “Cobra Kai” awarded us with a three-dimensional view of Johnny Lawrence, portraying him more as a fallen protagonist than as a villain, who has taken his losses particularly hard, to the point of living a down-and-out lifestyle. On the flip-side, his nemesis, Daniel LaRusso, who we knew as the hero of “The Karate Kid” franchise, has propelled his life into that of a successful, multi-faceted business man, complete with a beautiful house and a nice family and a personal dojo.

I do not think there were any real surprises as to how things ended for the first season, seeing as how the roles of the protagonist and antagonist have changed, but no one could really imagine what would become of season two, including me. Enter the reprisal of Martin Kove (“Traded”) as John Kreese. If Lawrence appears to have learned any lessons about how to teach martial arts in the proper way, Kreese would be there to change all that, or would he?

Basically every character from the previous season has returned and their stories take a progression, as well. More than anyone else, the children of our two main characters, Samantha LaRusso (played by Mary Mouser, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”) and Robby Keene (played by Tanner Buchanan), have begun to grow into greater, centralized characters. Any parent, especially a father, could only imagine what it would feel like to lose your son to another family, which happens to be that of the one you despise more than any other. Of all the lessons Lawrence has been trying to learn, his absence as a father must be the toughest of all.

Rounding out the original cast, Xolo Mariduena (“Twin Peaks”) as Miguel Diaz and Jacob Bertrand (“The Gambler”) as Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz, have not relinquished their places as the alphas of the new Cobra Kai dojo, but the complexity of two teachers, who are moving in different directions, philosophically, has complicated the situation for them and there are hefty prices to be paid, as a result. One consequence, in particular, could equal an irreversible outcome and Lawrence is smack dab in the middle of it, as well. I would be remiss if I did not include Gianni Decenzo as Demetri, here, too. His role has increased by quite a lot, between season one and season two. Although, he can be annoying at times, he partially embodies the former struggles of LaRusso’s teen years and their interactions bring out the frustrations of the past, for one, while mirroring the same commitment to reinvention for the other.

The greatest of all the character callbacks is a reunion of the original Cobra Kai team, minus one, and who knows why? As much as we all want to rehash and relive the days of old, from time to time, reality can be cruel, as well, cutting into the skin and not just leaving a permanent scar, but also bleeding out. It means a turning point, of sorts, for Lawrence, but despite his best intentions, sometimes the toothpaste simply cannot be pushed back into the tube and all you can do is try to clean up the mess and hope to do better the next time around.

Several musical moments of nostalgia are peppered in. For the most part, they are clever recreations of former times in “The Karate Kid” films, but one is actually a variation of a nostalgic, musical moment and it happens to be my favorite example: a short, romantic rendezvous for Daniel LaRusso and his wife, Amanda LaRusso (played by Courtney Henggeler, “Nobody’s Fool”). I have never been married, up to this point, but we all know about what commitment takes and even the best of us lose sight of that, in lieu of passionate distractions. All I can add is that Peter Cetera must be eternally grateful for “The Karate Kid” and “Cobra Kai.” Where would he be, now, without them? Dare I ask the same thing about Ralph Maccio and William Zabka? Their careers have new life. What an honor it must be for the both of them!

“Cobra Kai,” season two has a different rhythm from the previous season, but I still enjoyed it and I am still curious to see what might transpire for season three, which I am sure is in the works, already. It is hard to say precisely how much longer this series can last, but I see no reason why there cannot be, at least, one more good one, which would already be an improvement, compared to the film franchise it is connected to. There seems to be a hint at a character callback, already, but maybe there will be more, just like the second season. I have my expectations, of course, but for now, I will stay in the moment and remain appreciative for what we all have from YouTube, thus far.

Created by: Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg
Based on: “The karate Kid,” by Robert Mark Kamen
Starring: Ralph Maccio, William, Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni Decenzo and Martin Kove
Composers: Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson
Distributor: YouTube Originals
Release: April 24th, 2019