Thread by @cheo_coker

To not be sad for a minute...to fully appreciate the genius of Cobra Kai, watch "The Karate Kid" and then watch the series. The characterization is genius. The show is going to blow up on Netflix.

The thing you have to appreciate is something I learned at Marvel: every villian is the hero of their own narrative. The irony is that William Zabka is now Pat Morita: a super in a run down building. And Daniel LaRusso is the villian. It's a class flip.

And the fact that they use "Iron Eagle", the original Guru of color helps hapless white boy reach his full potential as a launching point for Zabka is so double meta. It also proves a fact that, given enough time, there's something classic in everything.

Interesting political subtext. Johnny represents the Trump voter. America was "America" when Rambo was No 1 at the box office, Hulkamania ran wild, and the big haired California blonde was the beauty standard. They resent Obama the same way Johnny resents Daniel Larusso . . .

Rather than seeing the triumph of Daniel Larusso being bullied and overcoming his hardships, he's looked at as the foreign, skinny outsider who stole something from the Blonde Praetorian who deserved greatness. There's nothing more Trumpian than "Sweep the leg. And no Mercy."

...That's why you have the watch the first movie. If not, you might actually believe that Daniel LaRusso was in the wrong. Same way that a lazy RNC viewer if they do no research would actually believe that propoganda informerical...Zabka deserves an Emmy. He's a genius antihero.

And the music choices. Johnny is stuck in the mid 80s. Daniel introduced to Dean Martin in episode two. Each confronting old fears. Damn it's good.

The show is Easter Egg city. "Do you care how I wash the windows? Nah, I don't give a shit." That's an ode, of course, to "wax on, wax off." The thing is, each sensei is effective in their own way. Karate, like life, is what you make of it.

The show is largely about fathers. Johnny needs to teach the kid because of how he's failed his son. Miyagi taught Daniel because of not being able to save his wife and child.

The show keeps flipping. Cobra Kai becomes the weapon for the weak to become strong. The same way the outsiders the disaffected absorb Trumpism because they want to feel strong. Even if its hollow.

And then the Pat Morita flashback about balance and watching Daniel put on the headband again...and the flutes and the music...why am I tearing up?

Zabka is acting his ass off.

And how Miguel as the "new" LaRusso is drawn to Johnny's "Cobra Kai" karate, and Johnny's son is drawn to the more quiet, spiritual "Miyagi-Do" Karate.

"God I love this part....Show me, Wax on, Wax Off...Whoa." Nods to "The Karate Kid" and "The Matrix."

Johnny's retelling of his relationship with Ali is great characterization. The fact that she gave him his headband is heartfelt. But then his retelling of the LaRusso beef is straight RNC gaslighting. It's funny, but if you have no knowledge of the original tale, J's the victim.

Beautiful structure. Simple but effective. The two students falling for the same girl? The links between the masters? Predictable? Definitely. But it's Robin Harris once joked about Larry Bird's 3-Point shot: "The fuck else you need?"

Again. Class symbolism. Johnny. Coors Beer. Flannel. Camaro and Harley. American Eagle oil painting. Daniel. Wine. Expresso. Classical music. Audi. Right vs Left. 80s Rich kid turned "working class" Trump voter vs Jersey Reagan Democrat turned Elite Liberal.

The end of Episode 109. The parallels to the original movie. Bonfires, jealousy, Miguel becomes the Johnny of Old. Wow.

Star Wars really could have learned some lessons from this. before you unleash the new characters, don't disregard the Legacy left by the old. Imagine had they properly reused Luke.

It's pretty simple. Cobra Kai is the mentality of the Sith. Miyagi-Do is the way of the Jedi. Fear. Anger. Suffering is the weak points in both. Hamill is still very much around. And ain't no way Mace Windu die in that fall. There's plenty of unexplored "Mandalorian" years around

The Miyagi handslap! I got fucking chills...I won't ruin it. It's funny.

Just watch 110. I can't fully break it down without spoiling it. And I've got writing of my own to finish. All I'm gonna say is don't just skip to it. Watch all those in between. And if you're new to this whole verse, watch "The Karate Kid" feature and go directly to CKSeason1.