Cobra Kai Every Season 3 Character Twist That Tricked Viewers

Cobra Kai: Every Season 3 Character Twist That Tricked Viewers

Contents

Cobra Kai season 3 continues the trend of subverting expectations, tricking viewers with multiple character twists — here’s a breakdown of each one.

You Are Reading :[thien_display_title]

Cobra Kai Every Season 3 Character Twist That Tricked Viewers

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Cobra Kai season 3.

Alongside the usual thrills and drama, Cobra Kai season 3 also continued the show’s trend of subverting expectations — including several character twists that tricked viewers. Based on The Karate Kid trilogy (and the slightly wider Miyagi-verse), the series began life on Youtube Premium before it made the jump to Netflix. Created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, the iconic story picked up over 30 years after the fateful adventures and tournaments. Twisting the established order, however, Cobra Kai redeemed Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and painted him in a more heroic light. Equally, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) often acted less than favorably, as the show explored more of the grey areas between them.

With Johnny and Daniel’s feud reignited, it wasn’t long before their respective students were dragged into the proceedings. After starting out as the bullied, Cobra Kai saw the aggression of Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), Hawk (Jacob Bertrand), and others grow alongside their confidence. As such, by the end of Cobra Kai season 1 and all throughout Cobra Kai season 2, many of the previous heroes had become bullies in their own right. Further emphasized by Tory Nichols (Peyton List) and her hate of Sam LaRusso (Mary Mouser), the lines were even further blurred. The writers expertly played with established Karate Kid conventions, as they maneuvered each character back and forth between being the sympathetic victim and the biased aggressor.

In Cobra Kai season 3, however, the show’s writers took things up another notch altogether. With two seasons under their belt (and more Karate Kid aficionados than ever), it was likely a shrewd move. That goes double given that there was slightly more time between seasons than usual. Nothing proved safe, with plenty of elements from the movie yet untapped and an increased amount of fan theories emerging in the interim years. The writers used all of it and more in order to weave a tale both familiar and surprising — thus keeping even the more hardcore fans of the franchise on their toes. Between Hawk turning on Kreese and switching to the side of good and Anoush returning to LaRusso Auto, there were several crowd-pleasing swerves. However, here’s a breakdown of the biggest Cobra Kai season 3 character twists that truly tricked viewers and left them stunned.

The Young John Kreese Twist

Cobra Kai Every Season 3 Character Twist That Tricked Viewers

In Cobra Kai season 3, episode 2, “Nature Vs. Nurture”, fans were treated to a flashback of John Kreese’s early years. Opening with a glimpse of a stereotypical, abusive jock-type, it was easy to assume that this was Kreese. The idea was heavily backed up by the jock’s reference of having no mercy against his football opponents. Equally, the character was played by Jesse Kove (son of original Kreese, Martin Kove). As such, he bore an immediate likeness and had the requisite attitude. However, it was soon revealed that he was somebody else entirely. Instead, the put-upon busboy serving him was revealed to be Kreese.

Infinitely more mild-mannered and carrying the deep grief of his mother’s suicide, Young Kreese was an example of Cobra Kai once again subverting fans’ expectations. Furthermore, it reemphasized its central themes that violence is a perpetuating cycle and that anybody could be the hero or the villain in any given situation. He would ultimately veer closer to his merciless future self with each subsequent flashback, as Cobra Kai explained Kreese’s villain origins and his reasons for turning. Regardless, it put forward the revelation that he wasn’t always the monster that Karate Kid fans loved to hate. In fact, he was once closer to Daniel LaRusso than he’d probably ever admit. As such, when coupled with a very slightly more heroic turn protecting Tory in the present, it briefly dared fans to almost root for his redemption.

See also  Rocket Arena Launch Trailer Is More Charming Than the Actual Game

The Hint That Ali Mills Was Miguel’s Surgeon

Cobra Kai Every Season 3 Character Twist That Tricked Viewers

Ever since Miguel was almost-fatally injured in the Cobra Kai season 2 finale, fans theorized how the popular character might be saved. One popular notion suggested that Ali Mills might actually be the one to get him back on his feet. This particular theory actually had some weight to it — based on information put forward in the show. In Cobra Kai season 1, episode 9, “Different but Same”, Johnny and Daniel experienced a rare moment of bonding and reflection. As they discussed their shared past and Ali’s role in their lives, Daniel introduced Johnny to Facebook and conveyed what she’d been up to in the decades since. It was then revealed that she had settled in Colorado and become a doctor, specializing in pediatric surgery. And with her ultimately reaching out to Johnny shortly after Miguel’s accident, the dots looked primed to connect in Cobra Kai season 3.

For a time, it seemed as though things were going to play out exactly as posited. Shortly after Miguel awoke from his coma, it was mentioned that a renowned surgeon was flying in from out of state. As Johnny surreptitiously dropped off money to pay for Miguel’s medical bills, the mysterious doctor was noted to have arrived. A quick glimpse of them from behind revealed a blonde woman that seemed to fit Ali’s build. With Johnny watching on as Carmen went to greet them, the moment seemed poised to conclude with a dramatic reunion. However, the doctor was quickly revealed to be nobody noteworthy and was never mentioned again. Instead, “Ali with an i” would fully reconnect with Johnny online and then physically return in Cobra Kai season 3, episode 9, “Feel The Night”. Her presence would ultimately serve an even more important role — healing the wounds of the past that fueled Johnny and Daniel’s animosity.

There’s a chance that bringing Ali back as Miguel’s surgeon was initially the showrunners’ plan. However, with fans having caught on to the idea, they might have instead opted to deviate for the sake of keeping fans on their toes. Equally, the logistics of organizing the return might have prompted the shift, given that Shue only agreed to Cobra Kai season 3 at the last minute. That being said, the more likely option is that the showrunners had made themselves keenly aware of such popular theories. And, upon doing so, chose to use it with all the effectiveness of a crane-kick to the face. By knowing what fans were expecting and even hoping for, the writers were able to lean firmly into it before pulling the rug.

Chozen’s Trick On Daniel

Cobra Kai Every Season 3 Character Twist That Tricked Viewers

Cobra Kai season 3 also saw Daniel have to jet to Tokyo for an urgent business meeting. While he was there, he decided to venture to Mr. Miyagi’s hometown in Okinawa. Still in need of more spiritual guidance, he ultimately found it in the form of his old flame, Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita). Through her, Daniel was also brought back together with his Karate Kid 2 rival, Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). Blunt to the point of hostility, it seemed for a good while as though he still bore a grudge for his previous defeat. Despite Kumiko insisting he’d changed, Daniel remained skeptical after decades of enduring wolves in sheep’s clothing. Even as Chozen gave Daniel a tour, he remained dismissive, antagonistic, and seemingly bitter. And, when they decided to have a sparring session, it officially appeared as though Daniel was going to be proven right.

See also  Twilight Kellan Lutz on Fandom & Playing Baseball With The Cast

Trapping Daniel in a similar position to which he himself had once been held, Chozen’s demeanor turned murderous. Expressing that he’d been waiting a long time for this opportunity — implying his supposed changes still belied a deep-rooted need for vengeance — he seemed poised to move in for a killing strike. Ultimately, however, he proved himself every bit the elaborate prankster that Mr. Miyagi had been, simply honking Daniel on the nose. Chozen immediately burst out laughing, finally revealing the true man he had matured into.

In the end, Chozen was every bit redeemed, offering up invaluable wisdom and Miyagi techniques that Daniel would use against Kreese. The twist was predictable to some, with fans having debated the nature of his role in Cobra Kai since it was confirmed he’d return. Some believed he would definitely take on a guiding role. Meanwhile, others, having witnessing Johnny’s redemption, believed lightning wouldn’t strike twice. Regardless of what side of the fence one fell, the writers played it perfectly. They toyed with viewers, casting doubt in even the most confident fans. Using established history and fan’s familiarity with Karate Kid tropes, they indicated that it could honestly go either way until the absolute last possible moment.

The Terry Silver Twist

The Terry Silver twist actually combined two earlier subversions — using both fans’ expectations and an actor’s physical appearance against viewers. Cobra Kai season 3, episode 6, “King Cobra” saw Young Kreese on the frontlines of the Vietnam war in 1968. Fans immediately pointed to a fellow soldier, Ponytail (Seth Kemp), who shared a distinct similarity with the cult favorite Karate Kid 3 villain. He had the same hair, the same arrogant grin, and even the same speech pattern as Terry. The final installment of the original trilogy already established that they’d been war buddies and that Kreese had saved Silver’s life. And, now, fans expectedly relished the chance to see the genesis of their lifelong friendship unfold on screen.

That belief, however, only served to make it all the more shocking when Ponytail was shot and killed. After being recruited for a special unit, Kreese, Ponytail, and a third comrade, Twig (Nick Marini) were caught up in a botched mission. With Ponytail cornered behind enemy lines, Kreese was ordered to detonate a bomb that would’ve simultaneously killed him and protected others. Unable to do it, Kreese ultimately spared his life but got everybody captured. As the unit was held at gunpoint, fans waited for Kreese to lash out and, as foretold, somehow further save Ponytail’s life. That moment ultimately never came, with Kreese only able to watch on as his friend tearfully died. At that moment, Twig immediately became hysterical with guilt and grief — only to be told, “Shut your goddamn mouth, Silver.”

The twist was perfectly executed, knowingly using the knowledge accumulated across three decades against hardcore fans. Like The Joker in The Dark Knight, the writers took ideas and turned them on themselves. In doing so, they have also given themselves some interesting angles to explore. Cobra Kai season 3, episode 10, “December 19” concluded Kreese’s Vietnam backstory and emphasized why he’s a truly terrifying villain. It also revealed exactly how he saved Terry Silver’s life and earned a lifelong debt. What was left unexplored, however, was Silver’s own transformation from a fearful, over-emotional soldier to the gleeful megalomaniac fans know and love to hate. With Kreese last seen making a fateful phone call, it could be that Silver will return and be further explored in Cobra Kai season 4. Whatever the case, fans should prepare themselves for nothing to be simple — with the writers sure to have even more subversive twists up their sleeves.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/cobra-kai-season3-twists-trick-viewers/

Movies -