TV Series Cobra Kai

[Wild Turkey]

And then there is that I came across today. Just ridiculous. Can't even enjoy an old show anymore

Cobra Kai Comes Under Fire For Its “Whiteness,” Lack of Asian Lead

Cobra Kai has come under fire for its 'whiteness', with many critics upset that the martial arts-centric show does not feature an Asian lead.

boundingintocomics.com

That's because Cobra Kai are the bad guys and only white people can be bad guys anymore (although they do have one Asian but black people don't think they count as a minority).

 

[Pattersonca65]

That's because Cobra Kai are the bad guys and only white people can be bad guys anymore (although they do have one Asian but black people don't think they count as a minority).

One of the critics said Daniels car commercial where he does a karate chop makes asians look bad. WTF?

 

[calsnowskier]

I am so glad that we live in a country that doesn’t see color.

Oh wait... we don’t.

 

[jjc2009]

I don't get this. The original movie series obviously had a Asian lead, who if still alive would have played a prominent part in the reboot ( arguably still does) and one of the movies had primarily an Asian cast.

In the reboot the primary teenage protagonist is a minority character. The article says there needs to be more but the focus is on two white guys and their families. I don't think Hawk or Tori being played by POC would be enough to change the narrative. If Demetri is played by an Asian I'm sure some could claim that the portrayal is racist. Aside from that the POC and Caucasian secondary characters fit.

The story takes place in the San Fernando valley. What did they expect?

 

[Blackshirts BLVD]

I’ve heard talk of five seasons at one point....but I think the better play is to do 10-12 episodes next season and wrap it up.

Otherwise you risk getting long in the tooth by stretching things out.

Plus, what baddie can you bring back after Krese is handled? You already played the Chosun card. I like how they used him, but it’s been played. Silver is clearly coming back next season.

After that what past characters do you have to bring back? Hillary Swank (I wouldn’t advise it)

I agree. I was thinking and not sure how and/or why they would need a season 5.

However, they have rehashed everything, it might actually be refreshing to have a completely original story in this. Meaning that a 5th and more season could be completely stand-alone without any supporting story from the original Karate Kid movies. Or maybe season 4 will be about taking out Krese and season 5 would be that 'one final showdown' coming down to Daniel and Johnny one last time... with Johnny winning.

 

[DraftNerd]

I agree. I was thinking and not sure how and/or why they would need a season 5.

However, they have rehashed everything, it might actually be refreshing to have a completely original story in this. Meaning that a 5th and more season could be completely stand-alone without any supporting story from the original Karate Kid movies. Or maybe season 4 will be about taking out Krese and season 5 would be that 'one final showdown' coming down to Daniel and Johnny one last time... with Johnny winning.

You make the solid case....there is no need for more than 5 seasons. They can’t take Krese on next season, maybe even drag it out with Terry Silver possibly coming back (maybe Mike Barnes?).

Frankly, they can drag the All Valley showdown to season five if they want. They have enough storyline with the kids that it can get dragged out. Don’t forget they have left it hanging out there about who Miguel’s dad is. Maybe Terry Silver? Maybe another baddie entirely? Ive read a theory that posits Miguel’s dad could be a baddie played by Essai Morales (I’m not sure where they take that casting from, but I like it). They have already shown they can develop new characters pretty well.

Maybe season 4 ends with the All Valley, but also sets up a new baddie on the scene that will challenge Johnny and Daniel to hold it all together and push through.

After that....head for the damn sunset. A show that’s come out of no where and done it at great speed shouldn’t be tempted to hang on for 7-8 seasons. Good news is in the streaming world they are in those that bankroll are not as interested in holding on to something. So go out strong.

 

[amszete]

You make the solid case....there is no need for more than 5 seasons. They can’t take Krese on next season, maybe even drag it out with Terry Silver possibly coming back (maybe Mike Barnes?).

Frankly, they can drag the All Valley showdown to season five if they want. They have enough storyline with the kids that it can get dragged out. Don’t forget they have left it hanging out there about who Miguel’s dad is. Maybe Terry Silver? Maybe another baddie entirely? Ive read a theory that posits Miguel’s dad could be a baddie played by Essai Morales (I’m not sure where they take that casting from, but I like it). They have already shown they can develop new characters pretty well.

Maybe season 4 ends with the All Valley, but also sets up a new baddie on the scene that will challenge Johnny and Daniel to hold it all together and push through.

After that....head for the damn sunset. A show that’s come out of no where and done it at great speed shouldn’t be tempted to hang on for 7-8 seasons. Good news is in the streaming world they are in those that bankroll are not as interested in holding on to something. So go out strong.

Agreed. Heck, they could even leave a bit of a cliff hanger with the intent of picking it back up in a 3-5 years.

 

[The Q]

Oh great....now I’m going to be stuck on his hairline from here forward....

I don’t think it’s really bad acting or anything. His acting is fine for the role and the show. It’s ABSOLUTELY overshadowed by Zabka in season one, but then, Johnny Lawrence’s story has much more meat on the bone.

One thing I just realized though....Miyagi owned all the scenes in the movies. Larusso was just kind of there with it. Now he’s on his own so to speak and the “Miyagi lessons” scenes lack for the same power and depth. I think they know that...and the little asides (like “I always love this part”) help cover for it well.

And that’s just the thing....I don’t think this was meant to be prestige in any way. It was meant to be a cute run through nostalgia and a grasp at the teen drama scene. But then they got that illumination and background from Lawrence and it just took off.

In that cutesy little show Macchio is fine. In this show....he stands out badly.

I think you make an interesting point. I don’t think it puts the same effort into Daniel that it does Johnny.

But then Again, it’s called cobra Kai.

 

[DraftNerd]

I think you make an interesting point. I don’t think it puts the same effort into Daniel that it does Johnny.

But then Again, it’s called cobra Kai.

It’s like an NFL player debate. Is it the player or the coaching? Usually it’s a mix of both, and I think that’s the case here.

Unlike the movies, Daniel is not backlit as THE protagonist. And, that sloppy 80s theme worked for him as an actor. In this more grey shade of the KK saga he’s doesn’t get to automatically stand out. And, unlike Johnny, he doesn’t make himself stand out either.

 

[The Q]

It’s like an NFL player debate. Is it the player or the coaching? Usually it’s a mix of both, and I think that’s the case here.

Unlike the movies, Daniel is not backlit as THE protagonist. And, that sloppy 80s theme worked for him as an actor. In this more grey shade of the KK saga he’s doesn’t get to automatically stand out. And, unlike Johnny, he doesn’t make himself stand out either.

you also don’t get a lot of his backstory or anything.

it really glosses over what’s happened to Daniel beyond the 80s movies

 

[White Knight]

That's because Cobra Kai are the bad guys and only white people can be bad guys anymore

Black folks are the good guys now.

 

[DraftNerd]

you also don’t get a lot of his backstory or anything.

it really glosses over what’s happened to Daniel beyond the 80s movies

That’s a good point. They don’t position Daniel in the same way.

Daniel built a successful business with his wife...yawn.

Johnny has put himself through hell and a lifetime making bad decisions.....ohhhh lots of drama to mine there.

Again, was that by design from the beginning, or were they planning to cover Johnny more in season one as the hook was there and revisit Daniels back story more in later seasons? I can see this....and see they came off that first season and Zabka had killed it and Macchio felt flat.

It’s a good coaching/player debate. The important question is do we want more backstory on Daniel at this point. We got lots of fan service in the last season with the trip to Okinawa. But, that wasn’t really back story on Daniel as backstory on those involved in KK2.

For me....I don’t need to see Daniels backstory, with the possible exception of how he handled losing Mr Miyagi.

 

[The Q]

That’s a good point. They don’t position Daniel in the same way.

Daniel built a successful business with his wife...yawn.

Johnny has put himself through hell and a lifetime making bad decisions.....ohhhh lots of drama to mine there.

Again, was that by design from the beginning, or were they planning to cover Johnny more in season one as the hook was there and revisit Daniels back story more in later seasons? I can see this....and see they came off that first season and Zabka had killed it and Macchio felt flat.

It’s a good coaching/player debate. The important question is do we want more backstory on Daniel at this point. We got lots of fan service in the last season with the trip to Okinawa. But, that wasn’t really back story on Daniel as backstory on those involved in KK2.

For me....I don’t need to see Daniels backstory, with the possible exception of how he handled losing Mr Miyagi.

I get it. And I ageee somewhat.

just saying without those backstories you don’t get as much into drama and struggle to connect with him as much as you can Johnny

we’ve all F’d up our lives. Even if we recovered somewhat.

we don’t all have big businesses and go to the country club on weekends

 

[DraftNerd]

I get it. And I ageee somewhat.

just saying without those backstories you don’t get as much into drama and struggle to connect with him as much as you can Johnny

we’ve all F’d up our lives. Even if we recovered somewhat.

we don’t all have big businesses and go to the country club on weekends

Good point. That’s where part of me leans to the “coaching” being to blame. To them not building in more back story. Whether that is that they don’t like Macchios acting, or are just so caught up in Zabka killing it and all the kiddie drama from the next generation, you are correct. More clever backstory for Daniel could really help that character.

There is no way he learned the creed of Miyagi (hard work and sacrifice matter) and then just cakewalked through building such a successful business.

 

[The Q]

Good point. That’s where part of me leans to the “coaching” being to blame. To them not building in more back story. Whether that is that they don’t like Macchios acting, or are just so caught up in Zabka killing it and all the kiddie drama from the next generation, you are correct. More clever backstory for Daniel could really help that character.

There is no way he learned the creed of Miyagi (hard work and sacrifice matter) and then just cakewalked through building such a successful business.

they briefly go over it. He became a top car salesman using miyagi’s stuff.

then eventually got big enough to open his own car lot.

but little detail. I don’t think they even said how he and his wife met. I believe they worked together though

 

[DraftNerd]

they briefly go over it. He became a top car salesman using miyagi’s stuff.

then eventually got big enough to open his own car lot.

but little detail. I don’t think they even said how he and his wife met. I believe they worked together though

You’re right. Something like how they met could be really good. They gave her more breadth this past season and she did good with it. I think this could be a great bit to delve into with the future.

And let’s face it...if they want to go past one more season and not have it drag they are going to have to delve into these areas.

 

[The Q]

You’re right. Something like how they met could be really good. They gave her more breadth this past season and she did good with it. I think this could be a great bit to delve into with the future.

And let’s face it...if they want to go past one more season and not have it drag they are going to have to delve into these areas.

i would prefer they just wrap it up here.

Daniel and Johnny finally get on the same page and realize how similar they actually are, defeat Kreese, bury the hatchet and everyone moves on with their lives

 

[DraftNerd]

i would prefer they just wrap it up here.

Daniel and Johnny finally get on the same page and realize how similar they actually are, defeat Kreese, bury the hatchet and everyone moves on with their lives

I’ve got a feeling the phone call Kreese was making at the end of season three was to Terry Silver, who possibly comes in to back him up in season 4.

Ive got more feeling that they take season 4 to dispatch Silver and season 5 is taking down Kreese. Or....something that uses existing characters in the universe and stretches it to season 5.

I could live with this, but if they want to go past season 5 they will lose me.

 

[The Q]

I’ve got a feeling the phone call Kreese was making at the end of season three was to Terry Silver, who possibly comes in to back him up in season 4.

Ive got more feeling that they take season 4 to dispatch Silver and season 5 is taking down Kreese. Or....something that uses existing characters in the universe and stretches it to season 5.

I could live with this, but if they want to go past season 5 they will lose me.

i thought the actor playing silver retired.

I’m starting to think it was Barnes. Or maybe it was silver to reach Barnes. Idk.

 

[DraftNerd]

i thought the actor playing silver retired.

I’m starting to think it was Barnes. Or maybe it was silver to reach Barnes. Idk.

That would be something I would not be aware of. If the guy is retired and not coming out of it I’m sure they do something like the phone call was to Silver. He’s busy ravaging some third world country so he send Mike Barnes. I could get behind Barnes being the baddie at Kreese’s back.