This article contains spoilers.

Cobra Kai never dies.

The fourth season of the Netflix series was released on December 31, debuting at No. 1 on the Streamer’s Top 10 in the United States. The new season of the series sees tension rising between the two warring dojos: Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do Karate.

Conflicts abound as Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) struggle to work together, leading to a hilarious Twitter rant from Lawrence and a rematch of the pair’s original confrontation 38 years on. “The Karate Kid” from 1984.

This comedy-drama effectively parallels action and comedic beats, with lovable banter between the two former rivals backed up by entertaining and fast-paced fight sequences.

Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) and the Miyagi-Do students go after newcomer Kenny Payne (Dallas Dupree Young), whom Cobra Kai student Robby Keene (Tanner Buchanan) soon takes under his wing. Retaliation ensues.

Hawk is ambushed by the Cobra Kais at his favorite tattoo shop, as they shave his signature Mohawk. After his former bully apologizes after the All-Valley Tournament, Payne attacks him, seeking revenge. He is only stopped by Keene, who is horrified by the monster he has created.

“It’s Cobra Kai,” Payne said remorselessly, after Keene questioned him. “Without mercy.”

Immediately after, Keene visits his father in an emotionally charged scene that took four seasons to come together. Keene breaks down, admitting his heart was filled with hatred for Lawrence and realizing what his father had warned him about earlier in the season: Cobra Kai is dangerous.

The two embrace, and Keene’s tears show the mark of a heartfelt moment that’s been brewing since the show’s debut. The scene also features one of the saddest and most symbolic dynamics of its storyline: Lawrence’s failure as a father and his desperation to redeem himself through Cobra Kai, through his students, and, ultimately, by being the father Keene always needed but never had…until now.

Meanwhile, All-Valley Champion Tory Nichols (Peyton List) strikes up an unlikely friendship with the very woman who threatens him in the season premiere: Amanda LaRusso (Courtney Henggeler).

It’s a refreshing take on the character arcs of the previous season, as Amanda slowly begins to recognize her own privilege and how difficult Tory’s life must be as Tory is forced to deal with his younger siblings, finding employment while on probation, and handling Cobra Kai’s demands.

Cobra Kai season four manages to strike the balance between honoring key aspects of the franchise by bringing an iconic villain back to Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) while crafting gripping stories with fresh faces, finding a star in Dallas , 15 years old. Dupree Young.

The brilliance of this show is its rich character development and knack for honing emotionally real characters with traumas and past experiences that profoundly influence their personalities, values, and decisions.

From Lawrence’s abusive stepfather to LaRusso’s upbringing in poverty to Silver’s PTSD from the Vietnam War, we see how each character’s past changes them – for better or for worse.

Showrunners Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg picked up where season three left off, ratcheting up the tension and building suspense ahead of the climactic All-Valley tournament. The use of skipped cuts, edits, and a musical score that captures the tone of the show sets up the continuation of one of the best film adaptations to television in history.

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Twitter: @andresbuena01

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