Cobra Kai s3
Jan. 1st, 2021 09:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
satalasers Mostly, really loved!
- I really think this is show is such a thorough cycle of abuse and power corruption and just. Argh. I love it.
- I love Johnny the most. He's fucked up, but he's trying, and I really like for most of the show, he really does want nothing to do with Kreese. He is trying to do right by Miguel, and he's trying to do right by Robby, but at the same time, again and again, he prioritizes Miguel over Robby, and that? Has got to hurt.
- Honestly? Super enjoyed the return of Yasmin and Kyler. They're both still jerks, I don't really think the absence redeemed Yasmin, but. I enjoyed how the power struggle changed while Yasmin was away in s2, that it's completely thrown her off her game. And she's not really, nicer, but she's not as vindictive, because she's not really the most popular girl anymore. IDK what to think about Demitri/Yasmin. It's cute, I guess, but no real investment. I did like Kyler coming back as a Cobra Kai, though, and the former bullied kids were uncomfortable by their presence.
- What a good arc for Hawk though! Here's the thing: I'm not sold by his redemption. I think season 4 needs to work hard at him actually earning forgiveness for a lot of his over the top and frankly, terrifying, antics. He needs a therapist, for sure, to help his anger issues. BUT. I enjoyed his growing disillusion with Kreese. I liked him sensing that the structure that he became comfortable with, and realizing that he's no longer the favourtie anymore, and Kreese was losing interest in him. But I pity Hawk -- both Johnny and Kreese took advantage of his vulnerability and reshaped him into someone who was ready to die by Kreese's words, but Johnny? Johnny could have set him right, I think, had Kreese not come back.
- I have mixed feelings on Tori. On one hand, thank god, they finally fleshed her out a bit. It's still woefully inadequate, but living in shitty circumstances, with a shitty landlord, and a ill mother. I liked how that softened Kreese to her, but at the same time, again, he was recruiting her for Cobra Kai. And I kind of like them setting up Tori/Robby. I think there's a lot these two kids can relate with each other, but at the same time, Tori is definitely dragging Robby into darker territory. STILL. I'm not really happy with how they handle the Tori&Sam conflict -- like I just want it to be resolved, but at the same time, Tori just loses her temper around Sam, and wants to beat her up and make her suffer, and I just -- I don't know how she's supposed to break the cycle she's in.
- Again, I pity Tori. Despite the messed up shit she does, she's still a teen, and I want her to get the help she needs. And I liked that she showed some regret with Miguel's circumstances, but she's so quick to jump the gun, and she needs to calm down.
- I honestly think Robby got the worst treatment this season. It's a little bit too contrived how he got turned against both Johnny and Danny, and went along with Kreese in the end. It's annoying that he's incredibly self-centered and turns against Sam too, when he does nothing to reach out to her. And just. The prison guards doing nothing, was frustrating. There's some stuff I believe in, but I just. He needed to be more present in the show. Also???? Needed to feel far more regret at his actions to Miguel???? Like???? He did not know that Miguel had recovered at all??? And instantly just hates him when seeing Miguel and Sam sparring playfully? That boy's temper is the worst.
- Super loved Amanda and trying to get the police involved with Cobra Kai, but also kind of loved Kreese playing the whole 'I'm a war vet, and this woman assaulted me officer so I'm pressing charges'. Also it was great that Amanda befriended Ali!
- I was terrified of a love triangle -- in any form. Be it Amanda/Danny/Ali or Carmen/Johnny/Ali. We kind of got the latter, but at the same time, since nothing happened, even if there was an almost kiss... I'm not entirely happy I liked what I got?
- I don't like Johnny/Carmen romantically. I've thought about it, and have decided. This season didn't really win me over either. I just. I like that Carmen is a stabling influence and balance to Johnny, but I can't really seeing them have much in common, and I think -- Carmen works better as friends really? I don't want them to be sort of co-parents to Miguel as a reason for them to be together. And honestly? It kind of feels like that's why they are!
- I am, however, rather charmed with Johnny/Ali. Despite the fact it's kind of a shitty move to have Johnny and Ali the day after Johnny and Carmen sleep together basically act pretty flirty and almost kiss. I just. I'm curious about the good times of Johnny and Ali. I like that he can confide in her -- he feels a lot more open with her than with Carmen, in some ways, although I'm sure that's kind of the history they have together. And it's very cool how he apologized her pretty quickly, and the fact it was evident that they did miss each other.
- I liked how they retconned Ali's behavior in KK2, TBH! I just like it being more He Said, She Said now.
- Loved the backstory to Kreese. I never knew I wanted the origin of Cobra Kai until it happened! And also: TERRY SILVER YAY!
- TERRY SILVER IS COMING BACK, BABY.
- I liked Kumiko and Chozen! I knew Chozen was going to honk Danny's nose, but him intentionally trolling Danny and scaring him a little up until that point was kind of hilarious. Ugh, my heart can't help but ship Kumiko/Danny a little bit just because their interactions really were super cute, and I cried over the letter of Miyagi. Also, maybe I kind of ship Kumiko/Chozen a bit now? Definitely not in the second film, but now? A little!
- I really liked Sam's PTSD. Poor girl. I know she made some silly choices in prior seasons, and now she really feels the guilt. I really want her to go a therapist as well. I want her to get better.
- Honestly, I liked the way Sam/Miguel came together. I'd have liked more interactions. But. The octopus is cute, and I like how it's a recurring thing between them.
- Super loved Tommy, and wanting to look out for Johnny, but also 100% to prove he's still got those karate skills. What a cool pastor!
So: really looking forward to s4. Honestly, it feels like s4 should be the final season, since s3 sort of seems like it's setting it up as such, but apparently there are plans for it to go up to s6, and if it's this good? I would not complain!
- I really think this is show is such a thorough cycle of abuse and power corruption and just. Argh. I love it.
- I love Johnny the most. He's fucked up, but he's trying, and I really like for most of the show, he really does want nothing to do with Kreese. He is trying to do right by Miguel, and he's trying to do right by Robby, but at the same time, again and again, he prioritizes Miguel over Robby, and that? Has got to hurt.
- Honestly? Super enjoyed the return of Yasmin and Kyler. They're both still jerks, I don't really think the absence redeemed Yasmin, but. I enjoyed how the power struggle changed while Yasmin was away in s2, that it's completely thrown her off her game. And she's not really, nicer, but she's not as vindictive, because she's not really the most popular girl anymore. IDK what to think about Demitri/Yasmin. It's cute, I guess, but no real investment. I did like Kyler coming back as a Cobra Kai, though, and the former bullied kids were uncomfortable by their presence.
- What a good arc for Hawk though! Here's the thing: I'm not sold by his redemption. I think season 4 needs to work hard at him actually earning forgiveness for a lot of his over the top and frankly, terrifying, antics. He needs a therapist, for sure, to help his anger issues. BUT. I enjoyed his growing disillusion with Kreese. I liked him sensing that the structure that he became comfortable with, and realizing that he's no longer the favourtie anymore, and Kreese was losing interest in him. But I pity Hawk -- both Johnny and Kreese took advantage of his vulnerability and reshaped him into someone who was ready to die by Kreese's words, but Johnny? Johnny could have set him right, I think, had Kreese not come back.
- I have mixed feelings on Tori. On one hand, thank god, they finally fleshed her out a bit. It's still woefully inadequate, but living in shitty circumstances, with a shitty landlord, and a ill mother. I liked how that softened Kreese to her, but at the same time, again, he was recruiting her for Cobra Kai. And I kind of like them setting up Tori/Robby. I think there's a lot these two kids can relate with each other, but at the same time, Tori is definitely dragging Robby into darker territory. STILL. I'm not really happy with how they handle the Tori&Sam conflict -- like I just want it to be resolved, but at the same time, Tori just loses her temper around Sam, and wants to beat her up and make her suffer, and I just -- I don't know how she's supposed to break the cycle she's in.
- Again, I pity Tori. Despite the messed up shit she does, she's still a teen, and I want her to get the help she needs. And I liked that she showed some regret with Miguel's circumstances, but she's so quick to jump the gun, and she needs to calm down.
- I honestly think Robby got the worst treatment this season. It's a little bit too contrived how he got turned against both Johnny and Danny, and went along with Kreese in the end. It's annoying that he's incredibly self-centered and turns against Sam too, when he does nothing to reach out to her. And just. The prison guards doing nothing, was frustrating. There's some stuff I believe in, but I just. He needed to be more present in the show. Also???? Needed to feel far more regret at his actions to Miguel???? Like???? He did not know that Miguel had recovered at all??? And instantly just hates him when seeing Miguel and Sam sparring playfully? That boy's temper is the worst.
- Super loved Amanda and trying to get the police involved with Cobra Kai, but also kind of loved Kreese playing the whole 'I'm a war vet, and this woman assaulted me officer so I'm pressing charges'. Also it was great that Amanda befriended Ali!
- I was terrified of a love triangle -- in any form. Be it Amanda/Danny/Ali or Carmen/Johnny/Ali. We kind of got the latter, but at the same time, since nothing happened, even if there was an almost kiss... I'm not entirely happy I liked what I got?
- I don't like Johnny/Carmen romantically. I've thought about it, and have decided. This season didn't really win me over either. I just. I like that Carmen is a stabling influence and balance to Johnny, but I can't really seeing them have much in common, and I think -- Carmen works better as friends really? I don't want them to be sort of co-parents to Miguel as a reason for them to be together. And honestly? It kind of feels like that's why they are!
- I am, however, rather charmed with Johnny/Ali. Despite the fact it's kind of a shitty move to have Johnny and Ali the day after Johnny and Carmen sleep together basically act pretty flirty and almost kiss. I just. I'm curious about the good times of Johnny and Ali. I like that he can confide in her -- he feels a lot more open with her than with Carmen, in some ways, although I'm sure that's kind of the history they have together. And it's very cool how he apologized her pretty quickly, and the fact it was evident that they did miss each other.
- I liked how they retconned Ali's behavior in KK2, TBH! I just like it being more He Said, She Said now.
- Loved the backstory to Kreese. I never knew I wanted the origin of Cobra Kai until it happened! And also: TERRY SILVER YAY!
- TERRY SILVER IS COMING BACK, BABY.
- I liked Kumiko and Chozen! I knew Chozen was going to honk Danny's nose, but him intentionally trolling Danny and scaring him a little up until that point was kind of hilarious. Ugh, my heart can't help but ship Kumiko/Danny a little bit just because their interactions really were super cute, and I cried over the letter of Miyagi. Also, maybe I kind of ship Kumiko/Chozen a bit now? Definitely not in the second film, but now? A little!
- I really liked Sam's PTSD. Poor girl. I know she made some silly choices in prior seasons, and now she really feels the guilt. I really want her to go a therapist as well. I want her to get better.
- Honestly, I liked the way Sam/Miguel came together. I'd have liked more interactions. But. The octopus is cute, and I like how it's a recurring thing between them.
- Super loved Tommy, and wanting to look out for Johnny, but also 100% to prove he's still got those karate skills. What a cool pastor!
So: really looking forward to s4. Honestly, it feels like s4 should be the final season, since s3 sort of seems like it's setting it up as such, but apparently there are plans for it to go up to s6, and if it's this good? I would not complain!
