The show Cobra Kai has only gotten more popular since moving from YouTube Premium to Netflix. And with three seasons under its belt and a fourth forthcoming, the series shows no signs of slowing down.
Right out of the gate, the series sparked nostalgia with fans of the Karate Kid movies, for which it serves as a 30-years-later sequel. But as fans got deeper into the first season, while Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence are at the heart, it's really all about a new slate of karate students who can speak to the younger generation.
There's a lot to love about every episode of the series, but some episodes rank higher than others.
10 Esqueleto (Episode 3) – 8.2
An episode featuring Johnny trying to figure out how to use the Internet is always funny. At least in this episode, he had the help of Miguel, a tech-savvy teen, to set up a web presence online.
This episode also had some great throwbacks to the Karate Kid movie. Set during the Halloween school dance, Miguel goes dressed in the same skeleton costume Daniel did way back in the day and gets beaten up by bullies at school. Aisha, meanwhile, is also bullied at the event, setting the stage for the inevitable payback episodes to come.
9 Strike First (Episode 2) – 8.3
This is where it all begins: in the second episode, Daniel finds out that Cobra Kai has re-opened and that Johnny Lawrence, his arch-nemesis from high school, is running it. It's the first time the two men show that their disdain for one another hasn't wavered through the passage of time, and they revert to acting like petty teenage boys.
Meanwhile, Johnny, clueless about starting a business, must deal with all of the red tape required. He also runs his school with only a single student: his neighbor, a teenage boy named Miguel.
8 Cobra Kai Never Dies (Episode 4) – 8.3
The rivalry between Daniel and Johnny heats up in this episode, which includes that hilarious scene when a drunken Johnny defaces Daniel's billboard for LaRusso Auto Group. The tensions fly between the two men while Amanda, Daniel's wife, becomes increasingly annoyed with the juvenile behavior.
Meanwhile, fans learn more about Johnny's estranged teenage son Robby. And after Miguel continues to get bullied, it fuels Johnny, providing the motivation he needs to teach Miguel everything he knows and build up the boy's confidence.
7 Quiver (Episode 6) – 8.5
Cobra Kai starts to form into a real dojo by this episode, after Miguel shows what he learned by fighting back against his bullies. It seems every high school misfit has shown up in hopes that Johnny can teach them karate so they are able to defend themselves like their new hero Miguel, who demonstrated his skills by fighting back against a bully.
Meanwhile, a bond begins to form between Daniel and Robby, though they don’t know who each other is just yet. Sam and Miguel also begin their flirtatious romance.
6 Ace Degenerate (Episode 1) – 8.6
The very first episode of the series sets the stage for what's to come, showing viewers what happened to Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence over the last 30 years. Naturally, they lead very different lives: Daniel is a wealthy and successful businessman while Johnny is a drifter who drinks too much, has anger issues, and lives alone, estranged from his son and ex-wife.
As promised, however, the series looks at the story from Johnny's perspective this time, not Daniel's. And fans get to see how a shot at redemption sparks something in Johnny when he meets a high schooler named Miguel. Seeing how the shy and weak boy is being relentlessly bullied and doesn't have the confidence to stand up for himself, Johnny feels compelled to do something about it.
5 Molting (Episode 8) – 8.6
This is one of the best episodes showing Johnny's growth, following him as he prepares his students to fight in the All Valley Karate Tournament, just as he did in high school. But he wants to make sure that things are done right this time. Though he still uses some unorthodox methods that show John Kreese and his cruel methods still permeate the back of his mind.
But just as Johnny begins to clean up his life, thanks in large part to Miguel and his family, and even wants to take steps to reunite with his son, Daniel's cousin Louie trashes Johnny's car in retaliation for Johnny defacing the billboard. This ignites a fire in Johnny, pushing him back to his old ways.
4 All Valley (Episode 7) – 8.7
This episode focuses on Robby and his growing friendship with Daniel, who he now sees not only as his boss but also mentor. Fully interested in karate, thanks to Daniel, Robby trains at the new Miyagi-Do as his attraction to and interest in Sam grows. And while Robby struggles with wanting to go on the straight and narrow, he must resist temptation from his old delinquent ways.
Meanwhile, Johnny continues to grow his father-son-like relationship with Miguel, helping him get ready for his first date with Sam.
3 Counterbalance (Episode 5) – 8.9
Is Daniel the hero or the villain? In this series, many would argue he's actually the villain, as he stoops lower and lower in his efforts to undermine Johnny. Amanda gets increasingly frustrated, meanwhile, with how obsessed her husband Daniel is getting with the whole thing.
Meanwhile, this is the episode where Miguel first shows his karate skills in public, shocking students and sparking interest in the Cobra Kai dojo from kids who want to be able to do what they just saw him do.
2 Different But Same (Episode 9) – 9.0
The popularity of the show grew with each episode, as evidenced by the fact that the penultimate episode was also ranked the second-best of the entire season. Johnny and Daniel are at odds and finally face off against one another.
And just when the pair reconcile and it seems like they might actually be able to be friends, Johnny arrives at Daniel's house only to see Robby. This is when Robby and Daniel first discover who one another is.
1 Mercy (Episode 10) – 9.2
Not surprisingly, the season finale episode ranks the highest. It covers the All Valley Karate Tournament, a scene that is reminiscent of the iconic one from Karate Kid. While it's no surprise that Miguel wins, it is a surprise that Robby shows up to fight on his own.
The bigger story is the fact that Miguel has become someone unrecognizable to people like Sam and his mother Carmen. But the biggest shocker of all? The return of John Kreese at the end, who arrives to congratulate and torment Johnny.
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