I'm going to say this now. I have never enjoyed a finale quite this much. From the karate fights, to the strong character moments and drama, to the humorous and well-timed callbacks to the original movie. "Mercy" does what any finale should, wrapping up just enough stories to leave room for what seems to be a second season. That might be my only problem with this finale. It ends on several cliffhangers which make the wait for the next season all the more agonising. Cobra Kai has revived the Karate Kid saga in ways that I never expected and this episode further cements that.
24 Reviews
In my feels
Calicodreamin15 January 2021
Nostalgic
matiasbockerman22 May 2019
Even my generation (I'm 32) wasn't even born when first karate kid movie came, I have still watched those film in my childhood, witch makes this series a bit touching even.
This was my watchlist a year or so, and when I finally watch it I expect it's good ( one reason was a high rating on imdb ) and promising trailer but I didn't expect it is THAT good. Well acted, writed, directed, stunts vere amazing I even like how teenage drama was build up. Definately going to watch second season
A true sequel to "Karate Kid"
85122228 May 2020
Greetings from Lithuania.
This first season of "Cobra Kai" was more involving then all sequels to the original movie combined - but that goes without saying. Great, simplistic yet involving writing, and tables turned around made me scratching my head when final fight began - at the beginning of series i knew who i will be rooting for, yet at the end i did not.
Overall, season 1 was great. Maybe a bit to melodramatic, but very involving very well done. Will definitely be seeing continuation. Damn, maybe we even get a chance to see Hilary Swank.
This first season of "Cobra Kai" was more involving then all sequels to the original movie combined - but that goes without saying. Great, simplistic yet involving writing, and tables turned around made me scratching my head when final fight began - at the beginning of series i knew who i will be rooting for, yet at the end i did not.
Overall, season 1 was great. Maybe a bit to melodramatic, but very involving very well done. Will definitely be seeing continuation. Damn, maybe we even get a chance to see Hilary Swank.
Great ending!
mm-3926 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Mercy the season final! There is so much which makes Mercy a great final. Diaz becomes Johnny from the original in the first season. Just like Johnny fighting and trying to win the fight for his gal and master. Robbie Johnny's son becomes Danial after learning form his master. Time line goes full circle, as Johnny watches his son get injured and beat up just like the movie! There is much real life humor in Mercy. Last years champions does b s politically correct grandstanding with a moment of silence which ridicules the phoniness of the situation. A huge miss match of a big Karate guy vs the small Cobra Kai blood kid is a cheap laugh. The story-line is set up with one school of Karate vs the other. The no mercy speech Johnny gives fires up Cobra Kai during the tournament. A surprise entry of Robbie in the All Valley tournament fighting with out guidance to prove to his dad, but Danial is kid without anyone represents the balance theory . History repeats itself with twists. Cobra Kai uses the Crane movie. The injury ending is twisted. Will Danial forgive and help the student? Is Johnny having regrets with his son? A mockery of Danial with clapping of hands with an injury is a great inside joke. A script twist with a surprise guest at the ending. 10 out of 10 stars. Mercy satisfies the viewer, but leaving the viewer wanting more. 10 out 10 stars.
There are no bad students...
maxglen10 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
In this episode we get quite a bit of pay off for the rest of the season, we get a relatively predictable ending but what I didn't predict was for the victory we got to still feel like a loss. Johnny's teachings of "No Mercy" have given his students a lust for victory at ANY cost, even honour. It's taken almost 40 years but we finally have a worthy sequel to Karate Kid and I can't wait to get into season 2
surprising !
dollfacecrafter14 January 2022
I put off watching this, thought it would be stupid. Finally decided to watch it, and I am surprised that I like it, I dont love it, but it is funny and cheesey and it makes you like it and hate it at the same time. Johnny is pretty funny as a guy stuck in the past and very mouthy, Daniel is so goody two shoes and so is his wife, it is a bit un-realistic, who really has family breakfast every morning ? Lol, the kids are great and I love Robby, he is so cute .......i think the story is good , kind of hooks you in, like the interactions between Johnny and Daniel, head bopping in the car, I laugh alot. Not the greatest show ever, but it is entertaining. Good music !!
Loving Cobra Kai
claudiamnelson-1329113 December 2021
I've probably binge-watched the entire series 30 times now...and I'm a 67-year-old grandma! There's something about seeing Daniel (always previously the hero) showing his other side that Mr. Myagi would NOT approve of! I like Robby--I've seen him in other shows in bit parts. Glad he got a chance (finally). Now about Kreese...it cracks me up every time they show him coming in and have that "bad-guy cowboy music in the background, LOL!
so true to karate kid.
inesbsalgado16 September 2020
The way this series has crawled its way deeper and deeper into my heart scares me. this season, this ending! i can't believe they were able to make it so good and true to the movie. johnny realizes his mistake each and every time but is not able to make it right. why? he's always gonna have the soul of a cobra kai. robby in the beginning was hurt and then totally turned it around and became in balance with himself. this is what i call an amazing show. congrats crew.
Best show of 2018
spartanben-0018322 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
People who thinks this end in a bad way, are wrong, the series always introduce Johnny as a bad sensei, even he knows he is becoming souless, like his sensei, thats why his students became dirtbags, because of the way they are learning, i have to say this is good writting.
Thats why Miguel become a vengative person, this ending is different than the first karate movie, here Miguel win (cobra Kai wins), obviously they will believe that they are intouchable. In first karate kid Johnny lose (cobra Kai lose) and Johnny realize that his sensei is wrong and he is evil, in this ending Miguel believes that his sensei is good.
I believe that this ending will introduce us to a new history about cobra Kai, the evil cobra Kai that we all know, and Johnny might try to stop it, but he already started, i cant wait for season 2, this is better than many overrated series.
Thats why Miguel become a vengative person, this ending is different than the first karate movie, here Miguel win (cobra Kai wins), obviously they will believe that they are intouchable. In first karate kid Johnny lose (cobra Kai lose) and Johnny realize that his sensei is wrong and he is evil, in this ending Miguel believes that his sensei is good.
I believe that this ending will introduce us to a new history about cobra Kai, the evil cobra Kai that we all know, and Johnny might try to stop it, but he already started, i cant wait for season 2, this is better than many overrated series.
This crane kicks the right nostalgia spot
joebloggscity18 September 2019
I really didn't expect much from this show, but have been blown away by how good it has been. There has been a raft of spin-off shows from old nostalgic TV shows & films, most have failed to match the original. Yet this somehow does.
When I first heard they were doing a series on the back of the Karate Kid (a film I absolutely adored as a youngster when it first came out), I was apprehensive. I thought it would be fun to watch as a filler for nostalgia purposes.
The producers though have hit the spot. This is no simple spin-off, we have instead an incredibly well put together, written & acted show that is multi-layered with characters with mixed emotions.
The two leads are perfect, with William Zabka returning as Jonny Lawrence making us all wondering where he has been all these years? His acting performance is worth awards, and he has been the real crux of the show. Ralph Macchio is now actually the rich man. There are contrived parts to the show, but it has to help bring in teenagers to the show. The Kids are varied and you can see their arcs developing.
There is a lot of grey in this show, which is what makes it interesting. Nothing is simply black & white, but what remains is that the two leads are like big kids who can't let go of their old feud which has been rekindled, but their love for Karate is there.
Jonny Lawrence is on a road to redemption which is the greatest part of the show for me, and I truly loved this whole nostalgia show. He may be non-PC, offensive and a throw back to the 80s, but that's surprisingly part of his charm.
Give this show a try. On its low budget, its an incredible achievement. I never thought they could make it work without the peerless Mr Miyagi, but the old sensei's charm & character still permeates throughout the show.
This show and the arcs will develop as we follow the two men now sensei's and their young charges. I look forward to go on the long road with them, as well as seeing returning faces from the original set of films.
Thank you to all for making this series, and the wonderful surprise it has given me. Just rewatched the original films on the back of this.
When I first heard they were doing a series on the back of the Karate Kid (a film I absolutely adored as a youngster when it first came out), I was apprehensive. I thought it would be fun to watch as a filler for nostalgia purposes.
The producers though have hit the spot. This is no simple spin-off, we have instead an incredibly well put together, written & acted show that is multi-layered with characters with mixed emotions.
The two leads are perfect, with William Zabka returning as Jonny Lawrence making us all wondering where he has been all these years? His acting performance is worth awards, and he has been the real crux of the show. Ralph Macchio is now actually the rich man. There are contrived parts to the show, but it has to help bring in teenagers to the show. The Kids are varied and you can see their arcs developing.
There is a lot of grey in this show, which is what makes it interesting. Nothing is simply black & white, but what remains is that the two leads are like big kids who can't let go of their old feud which has been rekindled, but their love for Karate is there.
Jonny Lawrence is on a road to redemption which is the greatest part of the show for me, and I truly loved this whole nostalgia show. He may be non-PC, offensive and a throw back to the 80s, but that's surprisingly part of his charm.
Give this show a try. On its low budget, its an incredible achievement. I never thought they could make it work without the peerless Mr Miyagi, but the old sensei's charm & character still permeates throughout the show.
This show and the arcs will develop as we follow the two men now sensei's and their young charges. I look forward to go on the long road with them, as well as seeing returning faces from the original set of films.
Thank you to all for making this series, and the wonderful surprise it has given me. Just rewatched the original films on the back of this.
Ending of season 1 ruined the whole season.
saqlainaali1 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Keeping it simple I didn't understand what the hell happened in last 2-3 episodes! Why they decided to turn the guy who seemed like a hero(Diaz) into a villan?! His character took 360 degree turn, didn't make any sense. They disregarded whatever niceness he showed in earlier episodes and suddenly turned him into a monster. And in last episodes the show started to get cliched and cheezy. Don't know what happened, maybe some last minute changes in script or they got bad sense of what audience want. Just when I thought something good has come.
Robby is the worst.
riadlr10 June 2018
Its hard to be sympathetic with the guy who plays Robby he looks like a douchebag he was annoying on designated survivor as well. Other than that the show is fantastic the other actors played their roles well, they could have done a better job of fleshing out Miguel's reasons for becoming a jerk because if felt like him wanting to hurt the guy sort of went against who he was at his core.
Another Show that gets GOOD Story Telling.
mustangride10 January 2021
Karate Kid was a beloved show of my youth, I lived in SoCal in that time and this show hit the vibe and feel in its flashback and music far better then WW1984 could have ever hoped.
It has taken a lot to get me to watch it, as i really thought it would be another lame attempt to do a redux of a beloved show that failed miserably. Thanks to Nerdrotic, Geeks and Gamers and several personal friends for continuing to talk about this show.
I can see not just Johnny's redemption arc, but also Daniels. Both did not have the best childhoods and have many demons from their past, they are struggling with. The amount of Grey-area in both of them and the kids is what people are really like and this show hits the nail on the head. Good story telling.
It was good the writers understood we needed to pay Homage to Pat and some point, I am glad they took their time to do so when it fit in and not the beginning just to get it out of the way.
We have in the first season already seen so much good, in story telling I cannot wait to watch more. Well done, Shows like this and Mandalorian that rely on source material and good story telling with no other agendas are few and far between and what the Fans want to see...... Dont wreck our beloved shows, continue telling the stories with honor and respect.
It has taken a lot to get me to watch it, as i really thought it would be another lame attempt to do a redux of a beloved show that failed miserably. Thanks to Nerdrotic, Geeks and Gamers and several personal friends for continuing to talk about this show.
I can see not just Johnny's redemption arc, but also Daniels. Both did not have the best childhoods and have many demons from their past, they are struggling with. The amount of Grey-area in both of them and the kids is what people are really like and this show hits the nail on the head. Good story telling.
It was good the writers understood we needed to pay Homage to Pat and some point, I am glad they took their time to do so when it fit in and not the beginning just to get it out of the way.
We have in the first season already seen so much good, in story telling I cannot wait to watch more. Well done, Shows like this and Mandalorian that rely on source material and good story telling with no other agendas are few and far between and what the Fans want to see...... Dont wreck our beloved shows, continue telling the stories with honor and respect.
A perfect season finale!
and_mikkelsen21 November 2023
This was honestly just the finale i wanted and I got everything out of it i had imagined, with all the excitement and emotional pay-off!
This episode has us finally reach the tournament, which instantly brings back vibes from the movie and leaves you on a nostalgic trip down memory låne, as the fights in the movie, plays a larger part in the fights in this episode!
A positive is that this episode focuses even more on the fights, allowing us to really enjoy them and get excited!
This also brings together the development of Johnny and Cobra Kai as he realizes what he taught his students and what Kreese taught him!
This was an emotional rollercoaster and I qm gonna jump straight to season two!
This episode has us finally reach the tournament, which instantly brings back vibes from the movie and leaves you on a nostalgic trip down memory låne, as the fights in the movie, plays a larger part in the fights in this episode!
A positive is that this episode focuses even more on the fights, allowing us to really enjoy them and get excited!
This also brings together the development of Johnny and Cobra Kai as he realizes what he taught his students and what Kreese taught him!
This was an emotional rollercoaster and I qm gonna jump straight to season two!
Season One Review
southdavid7 October 2020
Despite all the positive reviews, and the recommendations from my friends, I still let "Cobra Kai" slide when it was on Youtube. Elevated to Netflix, I finally decided to give it a try and, truly, the show is better than it has any right to be.
Over three decades after his defeat in the final of the All Valley Karate tournament, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) has barely moved on in life. Divorced and estranged from his teenage son, Lawrence find some measure of redemption when, after saving his teenage neighbour Miguel (Xolo Mariduena) from being beaten up by his school bullies, he re-establishes the Cobra Kai Dojo. With blunt talk and strict rules he builds confidence in some of his misfit students. But the return of Cobra Kai does not sit well with Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), now a successful businessman he and Johnny begin to clash again.
Honestly, "better than it has any right to be", is the term I always use when trying to describe the show to people. It could have lived alone on the nostalgia pops and, to be fair, it does lean into them heavily. There are plenty of flashbacks to the movies and revisits to locations seen before. But the show does a great job of moving one foot forward, whilst keeping the other back in the 80's. So Johnny and his music, car, attitude and language is distinctly "retro" whilst his new students deal with contemporary issues like cyber bullying.
Whilst the plot is a little predictable, and the conclusion of the All Valley 2018 tournament you'll see coming a long way off, it's a wonderfully written and funny show. Outwardly humorous and with some tremendous inside jokes. The characters are honest and layered (although what they're going to do in Season two with the character who reappears in the final moments is going to be really interesting, can they humanise him too?)
Exceeded expectations more than I could have hoped possible.
Over three decades after his defeat in the final of the All Valley Karate tournament, Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) has barely moved on in life. Divorced and estranged from his teenage son, Lawrence find some measure of redemption when, after saving his teenage neighbour Miguel (Xolo Mariduena) from being beaten up by his school bullies, he re-establishes the Cobra Kai Dojo. With blunt talk and strict rules he builds confidence in some of his misfit students. But the return of Cobra Kai does not sit well with Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), now a successful businessman he and Johnny begin to clash again.
Honestly, "better than it has any right to be", is the term I always use when trying to describe the show to people. It could have lived alone on the nostalgia pops and, to be fair, it does lean into them heavily. There are plenty of flashbacks to the movies and revisits to locations seen before. But the show does a great job of moving one foot forward, whilst keeping the other back in the 80's. So Johnny and his music, car, attitude and language is distinctly "retro" whilst his new students deal with contemporary issues like cyber bullying.
Whilst the plot is a little predictable, and the conclusion of the All Valley 2018 tournament you'll see coming a long way off, it's a wonderfully written and funny show. Outwardly humorous and with some tremendous inside jokes. The characters are honest and layered (although what they're going to do in Season two with the character who reappears in the final moments is going to be really interesting, can they humanise him too?)
Exceeded expectations more than I could have hoped possible.
Finale delivers
Reimeir114 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Although I liked the 1st season of Cobra Kai, I felt that at times the pacing lagged. However the season finale, Mercy, is a non-stop rollercoaster of emotions and example of what this show can deliver when its at its best.
The greatest part of the episode is to see the Cobra Kai students change from innocent and impressionable youngsters, to ruthless monsters. It is believable because it has gradually been developing over the whole season.
The climactic fight is perfect, and although Johnny should have everything he ever wanted he is not seen celebrating, there is a moment of what monster have I created? As there is a moment of hollowness in victory for Miguel when he realises Sam has left because of his ruthless attitude. Meanwhile, despite losing the fight Robbie has gained the emotional support of Daniel, he is a victor in the ways that Miguel has lost and vise versa. It is poetic.
The greatest part of the episode is to see the Cobra Kai students change from innocent and impressionable youngsters, to ruthless monsters. It is believable because it has gradually been developing over the whole season.
The climactic fight is perfect, and although Johnny should have everything he ever wanted he is not seen celebrating, there is a moment of what monster have I created? As there is a moment of hollowness in victory for Miguel when he realises Sam has left because of his ruthless attitude. Meanwhile, despite losing the fight Robbie has gained the emotional support of Daniel, he is a victor in the ways that Miguel has lost and vise versa. It is poetic.
Not true!
fthomas-2311030 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Maybe after a very good series that had highs and lows, serious moments and funny moments, the scriptwriters chose to rewrite the character traits of Robbie and Miguel. Robbie had been cast as the bab boy, the bully, the one most likely to emulate his father. Miguel had been written as the new Daniel. But come this episode and they are totally reversed. It was a rubbish episode, worthy of Dallas. Sack the scriptwriters!!
Say whaat!
bsimpson1891 January 2021
What happened to the show?
scott_caufield17 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers Follow. Read with caution.
I found this episode to be a bit of a letdown compared to the first 7-8 episodes of the season. This show has an awesome premise - a 'where are they now' theme on a beloved 80's classic. The writers have done an awesome job up til now of making the show about the relationship of Daniel and Johnny - humanizing Johnny, almost making his character an anti-hero.
The last few episodes of the season have devolved into more of a teen soap opera. The kids are a critical part of the story, but the storylines are cheesy at times, and this episode pays the price for that.
The scene where Sam does her kick, symbolizing her return to karate was goofy and full of cliche.
And the finale's final scene was cringe-worthy; the character of Kreese - the ultimate one-dimensional movie bad guy - shows up at the end with an eye-rolling monologue, surfacing from the shadows chomping on a cigar. This is your cliffhanger?? Nooooo!!!!!! There were so many other great cliffs you could've hung this from - why bring this goober back??
I hope season 2 can right the course of the show by taking it back to what makes the show so interesting - the relationship between Daniel and Johnny.
I found this episode to be a bit of a letdown compared to the first 7-8 episodes of the season. This show has an awesome premise - a 'where are they now' theme on a beloved 80's classic. The writers have done an awesome job up til now of making the show about the relationship of Daniel and Johnny - humanizing Johnny, almost making his character an anti-hero.
The last few episodes of the season have devolved into more of a teen soap opera. The kids are a critical part of the story, but the storylines are cheesy at times, and this episode pays the price for that.
The scene where Sam does her kick, symbolizing her return to karate was goofy and full of cliche.
And the finale's final scene was cringe-worthy; the character of Kreese - the ultimate one-dimensional movie bad guy - shows up at the end with an eye-rolling monologue, surfacing from the shadows chomping on a cigar. This is your cliffhanger?? Nooooo!!!!!! There were so many other great cliffs you could've hung this from - why bring this goober back??
I hope season 2 can right the course of the show by taking it back to what makes the show so interesting - the relationship between Daniel and Johnny.
Booring
balazspapa1 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Whole season was about How Johnny is being better and better because of Diaz. In this episode Diaz became just like him.. this is boring. Diaz lost the girl and lost his mind this is totally like in first movie. I waited for something new. How to be fair, How to be better Than his sensei But it is the same like ik first movie just because of a second season. I do not understand Why they have to win the championship on this way. No mercy but there was No mercy when Diaz saved the girl and became hero.. I am Really sad because of this ending
Disappointed!!
cooldepp17 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Till 9 episode, this series was about to become one of my favorite series. But last episode have ruined all the good work they did so far. They should have shown Robbie as winner by Diaz's mercy. That would have been a perfect ending.
Poor and disappointing
Paynebyname22 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I did write a review for this where I expressed disappointment that the thing that made the series so refreshing with it's un PC 'grow a spine' attitude, was completely discarded with an ending that felt out of kilter as the makers suddenly decided to make Miguel the bad guy, empower Sam because of Miguel's toxic masculinity and let her make doey eyes at Robbie who suddenly became the darling pretty boy of the show. But IMDB seemingly declined that review so let's see if this gets through.
Intolerant anti-intolerance speech
gacsogergely26 May 2021
The sheer hypocracy of the episode deserves the 1 star.
What I am talking about? Let's remember the speech in the middle of th episode: "for every race,religion and gender". What's intolerant about this?
Well, atheism isn't a religion. But this speech does not include that, thus reinforces hate and prejudice towards non-religious people.
1 star, or less what it deserves.
What I am talking about? Let's remember the speech in the middle of th episode: "for every race,religion and gender". What's intolerant about this?
Well, atheism isn't a religion. But this speech does not include that, thus reinforces hate and prejudice towards non-religious people.
1 star, or less what it deserves.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
