Mary Mouser Picked the Most Iconic Fight Scene in Cobra Kai

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Below, you’ll find spoilers for the show Cobra Kai. If you haven’t finished watching yet, you can stream the entire series on Netflix by subscribing to their service.

After a seven-year run, the popular series “Cobra Kai” has finally concluded its storyline. Slated for Netflix in 2025, the final five episodes of Season 6 were released on February 13. Across all these seasons and narratives, there have been numerous intense battles, but when I asked Mary Mouser, who portrayed Samantha LaRusso, about her favorite fight scene, she provided a thoughtful response.

The fight scenes in Cobra Kai are among the most enjoyable parts of the series, and when I talked to the cast before the last episode aired, they had diverse opinions about their favorite fights. Some pointed out the battle in the school hallway at the end of Season 2 or the one that took place in the LaRusso residence. However, Mary Mouser, following her time practicing and training with the cast, chose one of her most memorable battles against Peyton List (Tory) as her top pick.

Apart from the enjoyment, there have been plenty of sparring and training sessions, which I wouldn’t necessarily label as fights. However, there were a couple that I truly cherish. Yet, among all these encounters, my Season 4 bout with Peyton on the mat stands out as my favorite to date…

The battle occurred during the All-Valley Tournament at the conclusion of Season 4. This confrontation seemed like an epic clash between the two girls, considering all they had been through in recent seasons – from Sam’s encounter with Tory in the hallway, which caused PTSD for Sam, to their numerous encounters where they consistently clashed heads.

Yet, soon afterwards, Mouser selected another scene instead – one that was equally significant and potentially more profound than the confrontation between Sam and Tory:

In fact, what you said isn’t true. Upon reflection, however, it’s not false. To be honest, I had forgotten to mention that one, but yes, it is indeed among my favorites – I was thinking of the Sam vs Sam-saiis.

The Sam Vs. Sam Showdown

Mouser is discussing a mental struggle Sam experienced during Season 3. To cope with the anxiety stemming from a school fight involving Tory and her identity crisis, she sought solace in a sensory deprivation tank. Inside this tank, her battle was not physical but rather internal; she grappled with her shadow self, confronted personal demons, and battled her own fear.

Now, that is a great pick.

The production of this fight was incredibly detailed, as evidenced by Mary Mouser’s breakdown of the scene. According to Netflix Tudum, she worked diligently to portray the stark contrast between the darker and lighter aspects of her character Sam, even going so far as to match their nail colors to the roles.

The combats in this series are among the most skillfully staged fights you’ll find – they truly set Cobra Kai apart as one of the finest shows to watch on Netflix. However, there is a particular battle that Mouser selected which holds special significance for me. It transcends mere combat – it embodies the uncertainty and fear that lurk in the shadows, and based on her passionate discussion about it with Tudum, it seems that this fight was deeply personal to her as well, as she put great effort into ensuring an authentic portrayal.

Although it seems unlikely that we’ll witness Samantha LaRusso again, given that Cobra Kai has concluded (unless she reappears in the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends film), it’s fascinating and thrilling to observe Mouser engage in a confrontation I find incredibly captivating. Now, I can’t help but rewatch the series to relive that scene. At least she won’t be a LaRusso anymore – the burden of being in the spotlight is lifted; no more battles with her inner self!

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2025-02-14 02:37