Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3: The Meta Joke You Missed In The Finale

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Contains spoilers for “Cobra Kai” Season 6, Part 3

Over six seasons, “Cobra Kai” fearlessly acknowledges its roots. Characters from the original “Karate Kid” movies make appearances beyond Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), and dialogue often echoes lines from the films fans remember. The callbacks in “Cobra Kai” Season 6, Part 3 are plentiful, but the finale might offer the most self-referential commentary yet. Interestingly, this final scene doesn’t directly relate to “The Karate Kid.

Following the final display of the title card, there is one more scene that unfolds. Before we transition to Daniel and Johnny eating sushi, we initially witness a conversation between two individuals which appears somewhat unusual. The first man, portrayed by “Cobra Kai” co-creator Jon Hurwitz, remarks, “So the series will be set in Hill Valley, an alternate 1985. With Wilson, Thompson, and Zane on board, we’ve got the go-ahead.” The camera then shifts to a second man, also a “Cobra Kai” co-creator Josh Heald, who responds, “Billy’s a friend. He did a piece of art for my entrance hall. It’s an easy decision. I think bringing in Crispin and possibly Mike to direct would be great. We could really take this project to new heights.

In an alternate 1985, set in Hill Valley, these two film executives are having a conversation about the potential “Back to the Future” reboot. Instead of being called Hurwitz and Heald, they might be credited as Jake and Jeremy, but they seem to be portraying slightly altered versions of themselves who aim to revive another well-loved 1980s movie property.

Does Biff Tannen deserve a Cobra Kai-esque spinoff show?

Jon Hurwitz/Jake’s reference to “Wilson, Thompson, and Zane” is undoubtedly pointing towards actors Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, and Billy Zane, who graced the screens in the initial two “Back to the Future” films. Placing Wilson at the forefront of the trio, who embodies Biff Tannen – a notorious movie jerk – hints that he might be the central figure of this upcoming project, potentially undergoing a redemption arc similar to Johnny Lawrence from “Cobra Kai.” However, as the storyline is set in an alternate 1985 where Biff rules over a dystopian Hill Valley, it could prove challenging to make audiences empathize with him given his ruthless character in that timeline.

In Josh Heald’s dialogue, the character refers to “Crispin” as if it were Crispin Glover, although there might be a slim chance that he would participate in a “Back to the Future” reboot given his past disagreements about compensation. Notably, Crispin Glover declined to reprise his role as George McFly for “Back to the Future II.” Furthermore, there seems to be a hint that Michael J. Fox, who played Marty McFly in the original trilogy, could potentially take on the director’s role for this potential new installment.

In simpler terms, it seems like Hurwitz and Heald appearing in the last episode of “Cobra Kai” might just be a playful nod rather than a serious plot point. Essentially, they are celebrating their achievement of reviving a cherished series that has garnered praise from critics and viewers alike. As for the idea of a “Back to the Future” reboot, it’s unlikely to materialize, no matter how compelling the pitch may be.

A Back to the Future reboot won’t happen any time soon

As a die-hard gamer, I can’t help but notice how often Hollywood recycles old ideas with reboots, revivals, and legacy sequels. But it’s refreshing to know that one of my favorite franchises, “Back to the Future,” hasn’t fallen prey to this trend yet. Director Robert Zemeckis and writer-producer Bob Gale have taken steps to ensure that the original trilogy remains untouched. In multiple interviews, they’ve made it clear that any potential “Back to the Future 4” would require their approval. Both of them are firm believers that the original series is already a masterpiece and doesn’t need any tinkering.

Another point to consider is Michael J. Fox’s health condition. Given that any potential sequel might aim to feature Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd as Marty McFly and Doc Brown, it’s worth noting that Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the 1990s, which affects his acting abilities. This could explain why Jon Hurwitz and Josh Heald hinted in the “Cobra Kai” epilogue that Fox might direct instead of act, as it seems he may not be able to perform acting roles anymore. A possible solution would be to restart the franchise with a new cast altogether.

In a different phrasing, here’s how it could be rephrased: The only scenario for “Back to the Future” to be rebooted is if both Zemeckis and Gale pass away, and their families grant Universal permission to proceed. Given that Hurwitz and Heald are talking about a “Back to the Future” reboot in the finale of “Cobra Kai,” it suggests that Zemeckis and Gale have already died in this fictional world. This unexpected twist casts a shadow over the otherwise joyful conclusion of “Cobra Kai.

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2025-02-13 22:30