Oh, we've waded right into the heart of the action now. The midseason premiere was somewhat lacking in karate finesse, but now, karate alone dominates the scene. The Sekai Taikai truly begins to take form in this second episode of the series, and although the finals are still ahead, the specter of elimination hangs over every moment. Miyagi-Do is barely clinging to survival, teetering on the edge.
Titled "Dog in the Fight," this episode unfolds in a neat three-act structure, featuring three distinct rounds. In the first act, Miyagi-Do stumbles out of the gate, outmatched by the Iron Dragons and their international fighting squad, led by a three-time champion sensei. Sensei Wolf harangues about arrogant, pampered Americans who know nothing of sacrifice or hardship, a stance that strikes a presumptuous chord. Yet, the most alarming signal of trouble arises when Sam, catching a glimpse of Wolf’s training session with Iron Dragon captain Axel, witnesses abuse firsthand. Demetri later jokes that Axel resembles “a fusion of the Winter Soldier and Frankenstein’s monster,” prompting Sam to leap to his defense, despite the obvious flaws plaguing Miyagi-Do.
There are a couple of glaring reasons behind Miyagi-Do’s struggles, one of which Sam and Devon swiftly identify: Johnny and Daniel are at odds. The notion that co-teaching can thrive without friendship might sound idealistic, but their results belie this dream. The duo can’t even concur on how to address the kids’ defeat: with harsh scolding or kind words of encouragement?
Johnny has a valid grievance, accusing Daniel of being consumed by his obsession to “honor a deceased mentor’s legacy,” a distraction that fills Daniel’s hours leading up to the next round. Daniel’s error becomes evident when Amanda, skeptical over the phone, warns him against meeting Master Serrano, a enigmatic and potentially perilous fighter. (Ignore for now that this master must be rather advanced in years.) Daniel persists, desperate for enlightenment on a hidden, dark chapter of Mr. Miyagi’s life. Regrettably, Amanda’s misgivings seem justified when Daniel is knocked unconscious outside the designated meeting spot, dooming his hopes of participating in the subsequent tournament round.
To be honest, I’m not overly fond of this tangent, which strikes me as a convenient plot device solely meant to sideline Daniel. I find this season’s reimagining of the famously serene Mr. Miyagi quite compelling, and I was eager to witness what Daniel’s encounter with Serrano might unveil. Instead, he finds himself imprisoned in a cage, surrounded by dogs, with his captors remaining tight-lipped. It’s gratifying to see him break free and unleash the dogs upon them, piecing together from a Cobra Kai tattoo that these men were dispatched by Kreese. Yet, overall, it’s hardly the most exhilarating use of screen time.
In Daniel’s absence, this final points round unfolds as poorly as anticipated. As the sole sensei, Johnny at least possesses a clear vision, a stark contrast to the first round’s bewildering dual coaching that left everyone directionless. Yet, he’s precisely the wrong mentor for this type of challenge, requiring balance on narrow platforms. His aggressive, strike-first approach leads to Devon’s swift elimination within ten seconds, and it’s only Miguel’s victory that keeps them from occupying the very bottom of the standings.
Johnny's speech in the locker room was a harsh wake-up call, lambasting the kids for battling with frailty and painting a vivid picture of a future marred by sorrow and remorse. His words echoed with a haunting familiarity, a clear manifestation of decades-long obsession over his own All Valley defeat. It was less an inspiring pep talk and more a stern rebuke, prompting Sam to rightfully confront him, even as Devon, in his gentle manner, attempted to shield Johnny. Upon introspection, Johnny came to terms with the necessity to set aside his pettiness and forge an alliance with Daniel once more. While this realization was gratifying, it was not unfamiliar territory for viewers.
However, there was another, undeniable factor behind their string of losses: Robby's heart wasn't in the game, and it was palpable to all. Miguel, having conceded defeat and accepted Robby as the rightful captain, found it increasingly difficult to witness Robby's repeated mishaps without contemplating how much better he himself could handle the role. Eli echoed this sentiment, urging Robby to surrender the captain's headband if he couldn't rise to the occasion.
During the elimination round, Robby faltered once again, his focus shattered by the sight of Tory's face in the audience—a distraction he desperately needed to overcome. Ironically, this was a stark contrast to the midseason finale, where his victory had been fueled by Tory's presence. Then, just two episodes prior, Miguel had been the one succumbing to pressure, consumed by the magnitude of winning.
Fortunately, the fate of this round didn't hinge solely on the captains. The format was a refreshing departure from previous events: competitors squared off on an elevated platform, with pairs from each dojo facing each other, and new teammates swiftly stepping in as their comrades fell. The bout continued relentlessly until one dojo was entirely eliminated, creating an exhilarating dynamic.
Miyagi-Do's adversaries this time were the Dublin Thunder, a dojo brimming with Irish stereotypes—albeit in an endearing manner. Predictably, Johnny's pep talk revolved around the importance of balance and the core principles of Miyagi-Do. As expected, everyone except Robby excelled—Miguel, in particular, boasted confidently to Robby before single-handedly taking down the remaining two Irish fighters.
However, their triumphant comeback was short-lived. Upon Daniel's return, Johnny delivered the startling news of Carmen's pregnancy complications, necessitating an immediate flight back to the United States for him and Miguel. This unforeseen twist came as a shock, especially after the episode had positioned Miguel as Robby's successor.
"Cobra Kai," at times, can be somewhat predictable, adhering to the conventional sports-movie underdog narratives and occasionally repeating past patterns. In such moments, the show shines brightest by maintaining a multitude of narrative threads, making any twist or turn feel plausible and engaging.
