Cobra Kai Really Did Save Its Best Karate Kid Reference For Its Very Last Episode
Warning: Spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6 part 3
Throughout its six-season run, Cobra Kai has been littered with references from The Karate Kid, from Mr. Miyagi's car collection to Johnny's Halloween costume. The show's continued emphasis on nostalgia and Easter eggs made it abundantly clear that nearly every memorable moment from the Karate Kid movies would find its way into the series in some form or another. That was absolutely the case with one particular line from The Karate Kid's ending, "You're alright, LaRusso."
Much like "Wax on, wax off" and "Fear doesn't exist in this dojo," there was a natural expectation for the line to make it in the series, presumably during an exchange between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso. But despite all the Johnny vs. Daniel fights Cobra Kai has offered, the show never seized on those opportunities. But, as expected, the reference finally did come - only it wasn't until the story was in the midst of its conclusion.
Cobra Kai Saved Its Most Highly Anticipated Karate Kid Reference For The Final Episode
"You're Alright, Lawrence" Is The Reverse Of What Johnny Said In Their First Valley Tournament
In the Cobra Kai series finale, Johnny Lawrence finally triumphed over Sensei Wolf, thanks in large part to a motivational speech from Daniel. In the immediate aftermath of Johnny's victory in the Sekai Taikai tournament, Daniel said, "You're alright, Lawrence." In doing so, he flipped the final words that Johnny spoke to Daniel at the end of The Karate Kid. After scoring the final point and being declared the winner of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, Johnny handed over the 1st place trophy and congratulated him with, "You're alright, LaRusso."
Johnny and Daniel have been on the same side for quite some time, so theoretically, an Easter egg to this scene could have easily been worked into the show on multiple occasions, possibly as early as Cobra Kai season 4's ending. All the show needed to make it work was the two being on friendly terms, but the series opted instead to keep it on the backburner, holding onto it until the final fight of the series.
Why Cobra Kai Waited So Long For A "You're Alright, LaRusso" Reference
The Timing Couldn't Have Been Better
Given how things turned out, the decision to delay the reference until Cobra Kai's ending made a great deal of sense. It's true that it could been used at any point in Johnny and Daniel's friendship, but it's hard to imagine it working out better than what the show ultimately pulled off. Rather than simply using it as a way of expressing one's acceptance of the other, the show waited for Johnny to win a championship win of his own, thus allowing the circumstances to align perfectly.
Johnny achieved a massive underdog win, with his victory made even better by personal validation from his rival.
Much like Daniel himself in The Karate Kid, Johnny achieved a massive underdog win, with his victory made even better by personal validation from his rival. Johnny hearing the same words he said to Daniel when he congratulated him for his big win in 1984 made his big moment in the Cobra Kai series finale all the more special.
Cobra Kai
- Release Date
- 2018 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Netflix, YouTube Premium
- Showrunner
- Jon Hurwitz
- Directors
- Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, Joel Novoa, Jennifer Celotta, Steven K. Tsuchida, Sherwin Shilati, Marielle Woods, Steve Pink, Lin Oeding, Michael Grossman
- Writers
- Josh Heald, Ashley Darnall, Chris Rafferty, Bill Posley
Cast
Ralph MacchioDaniel LaRusso
Johnny Lawrence
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