In the closing chapter of the current season, 'Cobra Kai' gracefully shifted the spotlight to its supporting cast, solidifying the lineup for the impending Sekai Taikai, a spectacle destined to unfold when the show resumes with its penultimate set of episodes in November. However, this midpoint conclusion masterfully redirects the narrative back to its core protagonists — the youths whose participation in the Sekai Taikai was never in doubt, along with their mentors striving to hone their skills.
At the dawn of this season, I pondered how the show would sustain its conflict amidst the resolution of longstanding rivalries. Yet, these past two episodes have brilliantly crafted tensions within the character dynamics, without compromising the strides made in previous seasons. "Best of the Best" reignites two pivotal rivalries (Miguel versus Robby and Sam versus Tory), yet it feels fresh as the context has evolved. Both duos are now on amicable terms, heightening the tension when they face each other in competition.
Miguel and Robby enter the fray for the male team captaincy, each carrying their own baggage. Miguel, deferred from Stanford, believes that captaining the Sekai Taikai will bolster his chances of admission, encouraged, albeit misguidedly, by Sam. In his mind, defeating Robby suddenly equates to securing a spot at Stanford. Robby, on the other hand, is still haunted by his second-place finishes in two consecutive All Valley tournaments. Miguel's taunt that he "really needs this" stings Robby deeply, implying that he, without college aspirations, has less to fight for. Their argument outside the Lawrence-Diaz abode remains subdued, yet it lays the groundwork for an intense match, laced with personal stakes.
When the battle ensues at the dojo the following day, Robby emerges victorious, recovering from a two-point deficit as Tory's late arrival allows him to regain focus. Miguel, conversely, may have lost due to similar reasons: He's overly invested, convinced that his academic future hinges on this victory. He fights valiantly, and his earlier season one triumph demonstrates the rewards of an aggressive style, but the pressure is immense, rendering him less composed and in control. He insists there are no ill feelings towards Robby, but the tension feels far from dissipating.
Tragically, Tory is also grappling with her own challenges, ones far more profound than Miguel's. At the episode's outset, she was hopeful about her mother's improving health and confident of crushing the competition alongside her boyfriend at the upcoming tournament. When Kreese attempts to lure her back to Cobra Kai, she confidently rejects him, choosing to remain loyal to Miyagi-Do. But upon returning home, she discovers her mother lying lifeless on the floor, a victim of an undetected blood clot.
With no other parent to lean on, Tory sinks into herself, ignoring Robby's calls and appearing at the Miyagi-Do fight without a word of explanation. Her mind is fixated on her mother's lesson, etched deep in her childhood memory: the two of them must fight for themselves, not wait for a knight in shining armor. While this ideology holds strength in theory, Tory's mother would have surely discouraged her from shunning help when offered. Karate, indeed, holds a magical healing power in the Karate Kid universe, but grief cannot be alleviated through fighting alone without a solid foundation of support. Tory has people who care for her deeply, yet she refuses to accept their kindness.
It is within this emotional turmoil that we witness the second match of the episode, where deeper sentiments are undeniably at stake. Tory's fighting becomes a bit too aggressive, and the LaRussos intervene, halting the fight, when Amanda receives a devastating call about her mother's passing. Unfortunately, this only fuels Tory's paranoia about Sam receiving special favors, a fear nurtured by Kreese during their encounters. All this occurs at the worst possible moment, pushing Tory further away from Miyagi-Do and back towards Cobra Kai. She storms off, leaving the senseis to announce Sam as the female captain for the Sekai Taikai. With Tory seemingly out of the tournament, Eli is chosen to take her place on the roster.
This drama also fuels the tension between Daniel and Johnny, who have been clashing throughout the episode. Daniel sees Johnny's unconventional lesson plans, like throwing beer bottles at kids, as disrespectful to Mr. Miyagi and is apprehensive about handing over the reins of full-time sensei duties to his old rival once this year concludes. He even sabotages another training session by scheduling Johnny for a test drive at the LaRusso dealership before the captains' tests, and then sneaks away with Miguel and Sam for off-campus training. When caught, Johnny attempts a comical Eagle Fang-style mutiny at the dealership.
Amanda, the voice of reason, performs admirably in this episode, striving to diffuse the simmering conflict. She offers Johnny a glimpse into Daniel's troubled mindset, acknowledging that he's still grappling with the revelation of a new side of Mr. Miyagi and his insistence on knowing what his sensei truly desired for the dojo. However, Amanda is also candid with Daniel, urging him to recognize that he's neglecting a fundamental principle of Miyagi-Do: balance. By pushing Johnny away, Daniel is defending a pristine record of a man who never truly existed. It's inevitable that when Johnny harnesses those hurt feelings against him, calling Miyagi a "liar and a thief" precisely when he knows it will strike Daniel the most, Daniel erupts and punches him.
Over the years, we've witnessed countless Daniel-Johnny splits, a logical progression given that their rivalry is the backbone of the entire show, stretching back to 1984 and the original movie. Yet, I appreciate that the writers are determined to inject fresh dynamics into this dynamic rather than repeating the same breakup-reunion cycle. This time, Daniel and Johnny won't split the dojo before the crucial tournament. They'll continue teaching side by side, despite their personal issues, and then part ways after the Sekai Taikai. It's a clever way to keep them in the same room for the upcoming episodes, ensuring that the show remains captivating and unpredictable.
However, I must confess, the swift approach of the tournament truly took me aback. With merely ten episodes remaining in this series, I envisioned the Sekai Taikai unfolding closer to the finale, perhaps around episode ten. Therefore, the abrupt transition in this episode, showcasing the teams' arrival in Barcelona, with Tory's unexpected appearance alongside Kreese and Kim Da-Eun, came as a surprise. It felt like a sudden leap, and I would have welcomed a breather of one or two episodes after the captains' rigorous tests.
So, what transpired during Tory's re-enrollment with Cobra Kai? Did she continue to shun Robby's calls with indifference? Did Johnny and Daniel engage in any conversation during their lengthy flight from L.A. to Spain? How is Kreese maneuvering his way across international borders with such ease? On a broader narrative level, what lies beyond the Sekai Taikai? Aside from Carmen's imminent childbirth and the youngsters charting their post-graduation paths, numerous queries loom over the horizon of this final season's next chapter. My curiosity is piqued, yet I must endure another four-month wait. Well, I shall adopt Daniel LaRusso's meditative mindset; if you seek me before the fall, I'll be in a state of profound reflection. Awaken me when November draws to a close.
