KICKING FRONT THROUGH THE FOURTH SEASON OF 'COBRA KAI'

William Zabka and a Coors Banquet in COBRA KAI Season Four DATE: December 31 2021 Overall Season SCORE: ***

Right before 2022, Netflix's Season Four of COBRA KAI has dropped, and for a show with mostly great seasons it's by far the worst... which is like the weakest album of a band that's had only exceptional ones... The main problem being the main antagonist in Martin Kove's John Creese having to share the titular dojo with the USA-Channel-style co-sensei-villain from the horrendously awful and infamous third KARATE KID... 

Ironically, whenever Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso mentions that particular timeline (usually the failed Banzai Tree store as compared to his successful car lot) he shakes his head in sheer disbelief (almost as if, say, THE GODFATHER III were remade with Robert Duvall alongside George Hamilton)...

William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence in COBRA KAI with Xolo Maridueña

But the villains aren't the only problem... There are also too many new characters, as in new-new characters not including the young regulars related to the original gang... 

 

One an extra-young nerdy black kid (perhaps a non-canon surrogate for the reboot's Jaden Smith) given so much backstory up front it seems like an entirely different series beginning as opposed to an ongoing show sustaining...

William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence in COBRA KAI with Xolo Maridueña

And said kid's school bully is none other than Daniel's lazy tech-geek son, grown-out of his baby-fat and whose overall screen-time takes away from sister/daughter Amanda, holding a wan candle for Johnny's rogue son while back with Daniel 2.0 in Miguel Diaz, all taking an equal backseat instead of their usual shotgun/co-starring supporting roles...

 

Meanwhile, subplots with Daniel's wife helping bad girl Peyton List, his daughter getting strike-first-training from Johnny while Johnny envies Daniel's newfound mentoring with Miguel never really grows past the fetal stages...

William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence in COBRA KAI with Xolo Maridueña

Yet the real crime has the addictive Johnny and Daniel ODD COUPLE anti-chemistry ala William Zabka and Ralph Macchio quickly tested-out then even more quickly abandoned, and both have practically become special guest stars on their own series... Although, the 11th hour episode does lay groundwork for what should be a far superior followup without so many restrictions... One in particular...

 

This entire season's an anticipation of the All-Valley Tournament, taking away from the characters being fleshed-out beyond a rather limited and narrow-scoped plot-line... especially fan-favorite Johnny, who's far more effective (and entertaining) avoiding and/or rebelling against what both the adults and kids have become here. Grownups.

Thomas Ian Griffith and Marti Kove join evils for COBRA KAI

William Zabka and Ralph Macchio in COBRA KAI

William Zabka and Ralph Macchio in COBRA KAI