Cobra Kai
I finished watching Season 6 Part 1 of Cobra Kai last night. God, it's so good. Tonight I started re-watching the show from the beginning. At heart it is a show about the relationship between fathers and their children - and why and how those relationships are important. And the father-child relationship isn't necessarily limited to biological and/or legal relationships either.
- Daniel's father died when he was young and his sensei Mr. Miyagi provided the love, support, and discipline he needed after he and his mother moved to California in the first Karate Kid movie. Mr. Miyagi lived long enough for Daniel's firstborn child Samantha to remember him and view him as a grandfather.
- Johnny's biological father was not in his life and his stepfather had no interest in him, so John Kreese as his sensei was the most important father figure to him. Kreese's ruthlessness and immorality helped shape Johnny into the person he became.
- Miguel grew up without a father and his sensei and neighbor Johnny is the first close, positive male influence in his life. Their relationship is wonderful for both of them. Johnny defends Miguel and teaches him how to protect himself. Miguel hero-worships Johnny at the same time that Johnny's son Robby avoids and insults him.
- Kreese was the only one who took a special interest in Tory. I now think the theory that Tory is Kreese's daughter might be true after all.
