Summary
- Cobra Kai
beautifully revives the rivalry from
The Karate Kid
with new characters, giving depth to 30+-year-old characters. - Demetri in
Cobra Kai
stands out as a moral compass, showcasing humility, intellect, and staying true to his values. - Fans love Demetri for his relatability, common sense, and growth, making him an underrated character worth noticing.
As I delve deeper into the captivating world of Cobra Kai, I find myself utterly captivated by the character of Demetri. Much like DrBalu, I too see shades of Mr. Miyagi in this young man who embodies wisdom beyond his years. His approach to conflict resolution is not only commendable but also a testament to his character’s depth.
Cobra Kai seamlessly blends the decades-old feud between Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), originally from The Karate Kid, with a contemporary tale revolving around a new group of karate trainees. The primary new characters include Sam (Mary Mouser), Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), Robby (Tanner Buchanan), and Tory (Peyton List). Other characters support the larger cast, contributing to the ensemble.
In this collection, certain figures have their chance to take center stage, while others remain relatively quiet with minimal speaking parts. Among the supporting roles, there are a couple that warrant more focus. One individual stands out as remarkably underappreciated.
Demetri Is a Humble Opposite to Hawk’s Obnoxiousness
Since the initial season, Demetri Alexopoulos, portrayed by Gianni Decenzo, has been a regular cast member. He’s one of Miguel’s socially ostracized “nerd” companions who endure frequent bullying from the popular students at school. Being a significant character in the series, he shares an unbreakable childhood bond with Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz, played by Jacob Bertrand. The duo, often referred to as ‘binary brothers,’ are almost inseparable and engage in numerous shared activities.
Demetri was reluctant to begin karate training, thinking that he lacked the ability to excel. On the other hand, Eli joined the dojo following Miguel’s lead, eager to boost his social standing. His newfound martial arts skills gave him a sense of power and confidence, leading him to train rigorously and emerge as one of the top fighters. However, Eli’s transformation into “Hawk” brought about a significant change in his personality, causing him to act as a bully, something he had always disliked. This shift didn’t go unnoticed by Demetri, who refused to call him Hawk and frequently reminded his friend of this negative change.
Instead of many finding success swiftly in their training, Demetri faced a considerably challenging path. He struggled initially to grasp the techniques like others did. However, his intellect shone through, enabling him to comprehend the intricacies and principles underlying combat. As a result, he proved to be exceptionally skilled – truly exceptional – even managing to defeat Hawk on multiple instances. Fans admire Demetri for maintaining humility, often left in awe when he executed a kick or punch, skillfully defending himself from potential attackers.
The Value in Staying True to Yourself
In my opinion, what sets Demetri apart from the other characters is his unique resilience throughout their journey. Unlike many others, Demetri managed to maintain his integrity without succumbing to the temptations that often lead characters to the proverbial “dark side.” The only instance where he faltered was when Demetri publicly humiliated Eli at a party. However, this act was driven by desperation rather than anger, as he felt it was the best way to reach his friend who seemed to be losing his way. Interestingly, this moment underscores Demetri’s mastery of karate teachings more than any other character – he understands that fighting should only occur in self-defense, not as a means to express anger or frustration.
Demetri chose to depart from Cobra Kai when he couldn’t align with its questionable practices and philosophies. Instead, he opted to join Miyagi-do to learn self-defense. As the guiding force within their group, Demetri only resorts to fighting when it’s unavoidable. He is also quick to forgive, seldom harbors grudges, and supports his friends during challenging moments. By persuading both Eli and Miguel to join Miyagi-do following their departure from Cobra Kai, Demetri helped them reconsider their choices. Without Demetri’s influence, it’s possible that neither character would have continued on their karate paths – a detail often overlooked.
Fans appreciate how Demetri’s self-assured demeanor helped him win over Yasmine (Annalisa Cochrane), one of the most beautiful and admired girls in school, who has remained his long-term partner. He gives encouragement to every self-proclaimed geek or nerd that it’s self-confidence that women find most appealing. Crucially, he consistently treats Yasmine with respect, honesty, and loyalty, never allowing his success in capturing a highly sought-after young woman to corrupt him. Rather, he values this achievement and shows her the reverence she deserves.
Moreover, unlike Eli who forwent his plans to go to MIT directly after high school, Demetri persists in his original trajectory, placing great emphasis on his education. He still practices and competes, yet he’s more self-assured than ever. However, he never neglects what matters most.
What Do Fans Think of Demetri?
As a dedicated fan of the series, I’ve noticed that many viewers seem to agree that Demetri is an undervalued character. Over the seasons, he gradually grew on me, and I often found myself rooting for him. In a lively Reddit conversation, a user, whose post has since been removed, inquired if anyone appreciated Demetri, admitting they find him irritating yet intriguingly likable. Another user, Ten-Winged-Phoenix, confessed their fondness for Demetri, stating that he’s one of the few characters on the show who possesses a sensible approach to situations.
Additionally, there’s a sense of connection. Reddit user ARRavenclawBookworm mentions that they can “recognize myself in him,” and kk_ckfan points out that they find him amusing and are “proud of the progress he’s made while keeping his unique traits.”
Often referred to as a true “tough guy,” DrBalu praises Demetri for embodying the spirit of Mr. Miyagi better than anyone else. Unlike many who prioritize fighting, Demetri understands that peace is best achieved by avoiding conflict altogether. In ways Daniel may not fully appreciate, Mr. Miyagi would be immensely proud of Demetri due to his discipline and ability to refrain from instigating fights.
As a discerning film connoisseur, I eagerly anticipate that Demetri’s captivating journey will culminate in a well-deserved spotlight moment during the last season. This special scene should encapsulate the finest attributes of his character, skillfully blending them with his impressive martial arts prowess.
Where Demetri Stands Now
Though Demetri has consistently maintained a strong bond with Eli and they eventually reconnected, Demetri finds it challenging to connect on a deeper level. Currently, Demetri is in a relationship while Hawk remains unattached. Moreover, Demetri’s interests remain rooted in his childhood passion for nerdy pursuits, whereas Hawk appears to be moving away from those activities.
Demetri briefly lost control and allowed his anger to overpower him during the final flag contest tiebreaker against Eli, resulting in a rough match that he won. His actions were driven more by his anger than any genuine desire to compete. Interestingly, since Eli had taken Tory’s place after she withdrew, Demetri and Eli will now be teammates at the Sekai-Taikai tournament.
Even if he isn’t necessarily the best fighter, Demetri is a dark horse. He likely won’t win it all, continuing to fade to the background as the others take the spotlight. Chances are greater, however, that he will continue to be the group’s moral compass, the voice of reason when it’s needed. It’s possible that Demetri could play a bigger role in the final episodes as he supports his teammates and potentially talks some down from doing something they might regret. His role in so many situations has been downplayed, overshadowed by the drama caused by the others. Hopefully, the final season rectifies that.
Regardless of who emerges victorious in the Sekai-Taikai tournament, Demetri is on a path toward greatness. He initially took up karate for self-defense purposes, yet still uses it as intended. Participating and potentially winning the tournament serves only to enhance his achievements. It seems he’s the only one genuinely content with his participation. What truly sets him apart, though, is that he has demonstrated not just worthiness but also a commitment to ensuring others have the same opportunity to participate.
Stream Cobra Kai on Netflix.
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2024-08-18 04:32