Cobra Kai – The Fall

The anticipation has come to a head as the 51st All Valley Karate Tournament for under 18 is here! Tournament committee member Daryl (Keith Arthur Bolden) builds the excitement for the crowd as the emcee of the night’s activities, introducing the three biggest competitors of the night: Cobra Kai, Miyagi-Do, and Eagle Fang. Each team walks out, ready to battle it out. For Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka), the stakes are high to make sure Cobra Kai is knocked out once and for all. As Daryl put it best to the crowd: “It’s karate time!” 

Each sensei spends time to hype up their teams for the battle ahead, although Johnny and Daniel’s speeches are more impassioned as compared to Kreese’s (Martin Kove) militaristic approach of mowing down their competition. As Sam (Mary Mouser) and Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) cast longing looks at one another, Johnny urges Miguel to keep his head in the game—unaware of what he said to Miguel in the prior episode. And with that, the skills competition kicks off the tournament.  At first both Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang present strong fronts in the skills competition, but quickly Cobra Kai executes flawless demonstrations as the other teams start to falter in theirs. And just like that Cobra Kai takes the lead, much to the displeasure of Daniel and Johnny.  

As the Qualifying Matches are set to kick off next, committee members Daryl, George (Kurt Yue), and Sue (Cara AnnMarie) watch from the rafters—Sue vowing to do whatever it takes to remove committee leader Ron (Matt Lewis) from his position. But Ron has one more trick up his sleeve: Carrie Underwood to perform a “The Moment of Truth”-esque number to pump up the crowd. And with Underwood’s vocals in the background, the real fights begin. But for Daniel, he quickly realizes that his original style of Miyagi-Do fighting will no longer beat Cobra Kai—especially since Robby (Tanner Buchanan) appears to have taught his teammates those very moves. Daniel confronts Robby and tries to remind him that winning isn’t everything, no matter how angry he may be. 

When Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo) wins his current match, Eli (Jacob Bertrand) cheers him on before his own match. Still smarting from the loss of his mohawk, Eli gets teased and taunted by Kyler (Joe Seo) before their match. Fortunately, Moon (Hannah Kepple) steps in to remind Eli that he is not defined by his hair and that she liked him for who he is inside. She then kisses Eli before going to take her seat, giving him the confidence to head into his fight with Kyler. With the swagger of Hawk returning, Eli let’s Daniel know he’s the guy who’s going to win and beats Kyler to advance in the match.  

To advance in her own division, Sam must go up against Piper (Selah Austria) in the next match. Fueled by the hatred of Cobra Kai and its principles, Piper goads Sam about her defense skills—which pushes Sam to step up her game and start using the offense skills that Johnny taught her. After landing her three hits to eliminate Piper from the tournament, Daniel questions Sam’s methods of winning. And with her newfound confidence in skills, Sam reminds her father that maybe her way of fighting is different from his. When Daniel later congratulates Miguel on utilizing Miyagi-Do techniques in his matches, both Johnny and Daniel get into a spat at the tournament how their styles are ruining their respective students.  

Due to the schedule of matches and how well Cobra Kai is doing, Robby must fight Kenny (Dallas Young) to advance. Kenny thanks Robby for all that he has done for him, reminding him that he will not go easy. When Kenny lands the first hit, Robby is advised by Kreese to not take it easy on the young protégé and do what it takes to win. Heading back into the ring Robby becomes ruthless and takes Kenny out quickly—but the win feels bittersweet as Robby now questions himself. 

After Eagle Fang newcomer Devon (Oona O’Brien) lost her match to Tory (Peyton List), it is up to Miguel carrying the team to victory in the boy’s division. And what better match-up to head into than Miguel versus Eli? Still sore from their argument, Johnny tells Miguel to do whatever it takes to win—something very unlike Johnny and more what Kreese would say. The statement rattles Miguel since Eli is his friend, causing Johnny’s irritation to question what side Miguel is on—obviously Johnny’s side. Miguel and Eli head up to the mat, excited to be fighting a worthy opponent—but it all comes crashing down when Miguel goes to do the Flying Tornado kick and his back gives out. Lying on the mat with everyone rushing to his aid, Miguel calls out for his sensei.