10 Darkest Moments from ‘Cobra Kai’

As a long-time fan of the Karate Kid franchise, I must say that the recent developments in Cobra Kai have taken the story to new heights, and not just in terms of action and drama. The writers have masterfully woven intricate narratives that delve deep into the characters’ lives, revealing their flaws, secrets, and darkest moments.

Cobra Kai, currently one of the hottest shows around, is known for being quite cheesy despite its popularity. Despite being marketed as a martial arts series with plenty of battles, it surprisingly incorporates a lot of humor. The over-the-top characters and humorous scenarios add an amusing touch to the numerous fight scenes.

Despite being known for its comedic elements initially, this series has skillfully portrayed some deeply somber moments across its six seasons. These moments are unique, surprising and frequently take viewers off guard, delivering powerful punches without much warning. Remarkably, the show took a dramatic turn in its most recent episode as one of its characters met an untimely death.

As follows, these are the moments in Cobra Kai when things went surprisingly dark and bleak.

10 The Arson Incident

Mike Barnes’ Store Is Burned to the Ground

In Season 5 of “Cobra Kai,” Mike Barnes, previously Daniel LaRusso’s adversary from “The Karate Kid Part III,” makes an appearance. Previously, Silver, now the owner of the Cobra Kai dojo, was suspected to be recruiting those who had opposed Daniel in the past. However, when they encounter Mike, he is no longer the enraged individual he once was. Instead, he manages a furniture store and appears to have no room for karate in his current life.

In the story, Barnes forms bonds with Daniel and Chozen, but soon they’re down to business. As they attempt to deal with Silver, the latest owner of Cobra Kai discovers their actions and, in retribution, sets fire to Mike’s store. This emotional scene represents a devastating attack on a longstanding character who was undeserving of such harsh retaliation.

9 A Mother’s Negligence

Robby’s Mom Abandons Him

Robby, Johnny’s child, stands out as one of the top fighters in the series. However, things didn’t start smoothly for him. During season 2, when he was merely involved in minor criminal activities, Robby resided with his mom. His relationship with his father, Johnny, was strained, leaving him dependent on his mother.

In one of the most careless instances of parental neglect depicted in the series, Robby believes an intruder has entered his home and retaliates with a kick. Upon turning on the lights, it becomes clear that his mother was attempting to secretly leave and elope with her wealthy lover. Robby queries his mother about when she’ll be returning, but she evades the question and instead asks him to tone down his partying. Fortunately, at least Rick had promised to cover this month’s rent.

8 Bad Roots

Miguel Discovers the Truth About His Father

As Season 5 commences, Miguel goes missing. Johnny manages to persuade Robby to assist him in searching for him, leading them to Mexico where they believe Miguel might be hiding. In reality, Miguel is on a quest to find his biological father, and he’s convinced Hector, a family-oriented individual, could be the one.

The issue lies in the fact that, as Miguel’s mother explained to him, Hector seems to be a shady individual deeply involved in the criminal underworld, and his new family remains oblivious to this fact. Unfortunately, Miguel’s quest for a paternal figure ends unsuccessfully. This revelation about the show’s most intriguing character is a painful awakening indeed.

7 He Just Wanted to Be Part of the Team

Terry Silver Viciously Attacks Stingray

In later seasons, Stingray made sporadic appearances. However, whenever he graced our screens, Paul Walter Hauser’s portrayal was undeniably exceptional and often stole the show from others. He is one of those secondary characters who has a knack for bringing a smile to everyone’s face whenever he appears on screen.

Nevertheless, things took a grim turn when Stingray found himself brutally attacked by Silver in an attempt to secure a place in the Cobra Kai dojo. Despite Stingray’s pleas for mercy, Silver delivered a blow that left him unconscious. Later, a battered and coerced Stingray accused Kreese of orchestrating the attack. This unjustified assault by Cobra Kai’s chief antagonist served as a stark reminder of the sheer wickedness exhibited by the main villain in The Karate Kid Part III.

6 Europe Isn’t Safe

Daniel LaRusso Is Kidnapped

In Season 6, Part 2, the Miyagi-Do crew traveled to Spain for the Sekai Taikai competition. With the climax approaching, there’s a palpable tension as familiar faces resurface, causing mischief in their wake. Throughout this tournament, filled with its share of victories and defeats, Daniel LaRusso is seeking information about Miyagi’s past.

During his time in Spain, he discovers a crucial piece of information. However, an unexpected turn of events occurs when Daniel LaRusso is captured by henchmen and confined in a narrow, terrifying kennel. This intense, horror-tinged scenario eerily resembles the gruesome scenes from films like Hostel.

5 The Bone Break That Was Heard Around the World

Hawk Breaks His Friend’s Arm

As a dedicated cinephile, I must say that Season 3 took the rivalry between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do to a boiling point. Each encounter between these dojos was meticulously choreographed, resulting in intense fights that highlighted the growth of each karateka. The season also showcased one of the most impactful scenes in the series, pushing the boundaries of graphic content.

In Episode 5 of the series, one of its most disturbing scenes unfolds amidst a senseless argument. Here, Demetri is left powerless, with Hawk standing poised to deliver the decisive strike. Pondering his actions, Hawk’s Cobra Kai comrades provoke him to demonstrate no pity. As viewers, we were left shocked as Hawk seized Demetri’s arm and shattered it into numerous pieces. The agonizing screams that echoed from Demetri are seared into our memories.

4 A Family Death That Turned a Heel

The Death of Tory’s Mom

Tory is often overlooked as one of the less appreciated characters on the show. However, she’s frequently depicted as an angry and emotionless beast. But there’s more to her story. Tory harbors resentment because life wasn’t as simple for her in Encino as it was for everyone else. Add to that the turmoil of adolescence and the responsibility of caring for her family, and you have a complex character trying to navigate through challenges that others might not understand.

Tory’s mom passed away due to complications from kidney disease, which led to a pulmonary embolism. The show’s climax saw Tory experiencing an emotional transformation, transitioning from an angry girl into a determined avenger. Her motivation for revenge isn’t clear, but her determination to dismantle the Miyagi legacy is more intense than any other reason.

3 A Broken Fighter

Miguel’s Kicked Off the Rail and Plummets Down

As a devoted movie reviewer, I must confess that Season 2 of Cobra Kai, despite its brief ten-episode run, surpassed expectations by delivering a narrative depth that often eclipsed the brilliance of the films that spawned it. However, the season finale left several characters in a precarious state, with one particularly bleak moment standing out as a poignant reminder of the high stakes involved in this Karate saga.

In an epic confrontation at school, dojos led by Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do engage in a major brawl. The conflict initiates when Tory uses the public address system to call out Samantha, sparking the fight. Miguel squares off against Robby, initially choosing to show compassion and not delivering the decisive blow. However, Robby responds by kicking Miguel over the balcony, resulting in a fall that leaves him paralyzed and slipping into a coma. This shocking turn of events was left unresolved until Season 3.

2 A Weapon Is Misused

Kwon’s Death

In the climax of Season 6, Part 2, the Sekai Taikai tournament turned into a pandemonium as disqualified, vengeful fighters entered the fray. Amidst the brawl, I found myself, like Kreese, observing a chance to eliminate Silver with a concealed blade. However, in the heat of the moment, I unfortunately dropped it and was unable to retrieve it due to the chaos that ensued.

As I watch the intense battle between the fresh faces, Kwon and Axel, their motivations couldn’t be more polar. In a heart-stopping moment, Kwon readied to strike with the deadly eunjangdo, Kreese’s knife, but Axel intercepted mid-air. With a tragic twist, Kwon fell upon the very weapon he wielded, ending in an impaling of his own. The tatami mats ran red with blood, leaving both characters and spectators speechless, as the first-ever use of a weapon on the mat resulted in catastrophic consequences.

1 The Truth About Miyagi

Miyagi Killed Someone in Cold Blood

The second half of Season 6 in the series “Cobra Kai” is packed with intense drama, surprising turns, and clever song choices. Yet, none match the grimness of the show’s shocking revelation about Mr. Miyagi, a central figure in the franchise. Part 1 hinted at his involvement in questionable activities, but when Daniel delves into the past of the Sekai Taikai tournament, he uncovers a chilling truth: Miyagi allegedly took the life of one of his opponents in cold blood. This revelation is undoubtedly the darkest moment the show has presented so far, as it potentially upends decades of portraying Miyagi as a peaceful character.

2024-12-01 19:02