Why is Cobra Kai so boring in the final season, Netflix?

Cobra Kai started its sixth season on Netflix last week. A big, three-part finale is planned. But while I enjoyed watching the last five seasons, the first five episodes of part 1 are tiring me out. What happened that Cobra Kai suddenly lost me?

The “grand finale”? Cobra Kai loses my interest in season 6

With 2 series and soon 6 films, the martial arts world of Karate Kid has a considerable universe. When Netflix took over the hyped YouTube premium series Cobra Kai from season 3 onwards, I too became curious, although I had no passion for the sport or the film predecessors. My curiosity was rewarded: The Revival was an absolute triumphwhich combined nostalgia with humor and action and, at the same time, dismantled toxic images of masculinity.

The reason for the praise was the mix of old stars returning to their roles after (now 40) years and a new group of young martial artists. The fact that this time the villain rose to become a hero made the return with a new perspective interesting. Through the eyes of Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), the previous main character Daniel Russo (Ralph Macchio) became the antagonist.

There is not much of that left in season 6. The old rivals have literally come together. And even if reconciliation is theoretically a desirable goal for the finale, Cobra Kai loses the most interesting series conflict even before season 6 and thus the necessary friction. Small disputes about the name of the new joint dojo (“Miyago-Do” or “Eagle Fang”) and the different training techniques cannot compensate for this.

Even arch enemies Sam (Mary Mouser) and Tory (Peyton List) are suddenly best friends, and Johnny’s manipulations for better performance do not change that. However, a harmonious fighting series does not have the same edge. And that everyone suddenly loves each other (too much)is not the only problem.

Netflix’s 6th season of Cobra Kai is stuck in the same old patterns

The fact that Cobra Kai, with its dramatic Russo and Lawrence family conflicts and the changing love affairs of the young stars, is sometimes quite soap opera-like never bothered me as long as the characters remained charming and complex. Now Johnny is setting up a home with his son Robby (Tanner Buchanan) and the mother (Vanessa Rubio) of his protégé Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), including a baby. This seems like the next logical step in this action comedy soap opera.

But while long-lasting soap operas on television live from ever new dramatic scandals, Cobra Kai falls into disarray after 6 seasons. worn patternsAnd I’m not even just talking about the legacy of Mr. Miyagi, who now posthumously has to hide boxes under floorboards to stay relevant. I’m talking about the villains.

Bringing the old film villains John Kreese (Martin Kove) and Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) back into the series was appealing in the past. In the meantime, however, the interesting enemies have been used up and I have to make do with the granddaughter (Alicia Hannah-Kim) of a master (CS Lee) who was only briefly mentioned in 1985, who worn out Schematic of the revived film antagonist A meeting with Hilary Swank’s Karate Kid 4 heroine would have been more exciting, but is now almost impossible.

Even the one sold as a big twist at the end of part 1 of season 6 Changing sides of main charactersno longer pulls the martial arts mat out from under my feet. This is also a pattern that is used all too often in Cobra Kai. The fact that Tory is now competing in the tournament for John Kreese’s opponents would have more impact if this decision went against her character. However, if you switch allegiances too often, you will only get a tired shrug of the shoulders for the repeated betrayal.

With the 3-part 6th season, Cobra Kai is shooting itself in the foot

Cobra Kai is planning a big karate competition later in season 6 with the “Sekai Taikai”. A martial arts tournament is of course nothing new in the Netflix series. But it at least promises a little more exciting action in what has been a weak exchange of blows so far.

The fact that Netflix is ​​releasing Cobra Kai’s final season in three parts is proving to be a disadvantage. Instead of waiting a month for the sequel, as was the case with Bridgerton, You or The Witcher, part 2 will not be released until mid-November and part 3 will not be released until 2025. Netflix apparently wants to milk the Cobra cow properly in the finale. Unfortunately, only watered-down milk comes out of the series’ udder. After the stagnant start, I even wonder whether I after months of waiting, still want on the final.

With all my love for Cobra Kai, I can’t ignore the fact that Season 6 is running out of ideas, so it’s good that the hit series is coming to an end before Netflix with an uninspired continuation completely destroysI just wish the karate kids could end with a bang instead of dragging out the goodbyes in installments like this. Because wearing down an opponent is even more boring to watch in a TV marathon than in martial arts.

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