S06.E14: Strike Last

[paulvdb]

Quote

The action heats up as the Valley's top fighters pit their courage against their rivals' speed and strength. But one last surprise changes everything.

Premiere date: February 13, 2025

[twoods]

Nicely done with how they went full circle on Cobra Kai. I wasn’t expecting that at all, so it was a nice surprise. 

[Chaos Theory]

I do like that the show has not forgotten it is called “Cobra Kai” and has largely become a redemption arc for Johnny and the people he surrounded himself with.    I was always kinda nervous it would be all about how good pure and ultimately right Daniel and his family always were and sometimes it has but ultimately it has become a story about what the lessons of Cobra Kai ultimately mean for the people who need to hear them.

[Raja]

36 minutes ago, Chaos Theory said:

I do like that the show has not forgotten it is called “Cobra Kai” and has largely become a redemption arc for Johnny and the people he surrounded himself with.    I was always kinda nervous it would be all about how good pure and ultimately right Daniel and his family always were and sometimes it has but ultimately it has become a story about what the lessons of Cobra Kai ultimately mean for the people who need to hear them.

I would counter that they did forget and if Netflix hand not given them a wrap up season it would have been cancelled on a dead Cobra Kai.

With Miguel's victory I was in fear that we went this far and so many series hit their penultimate episode to end with an unsatisfying finale. Spoiler alert, we got a satisfying finale.

[Msample]

Welcome to the valley….BITCH !

[dwmarch]

But of course Silver has tanks of high explosives sitting right next to a loose canister of accelerant on the deck of his boat. And of course this is easily lit by the cherry of a cigar.

It seemed like Silver and Kreese were both down and out when the fireworks happened but what do we suppose the chances are that one or both of them jumped clear at the last second? Hollywood explosions can be dodged by being underwater. There is probably a karate move that blocks explosions too and both of them know it.

[kickedinthehead]

1 hour ago, dwmarch said:

what do we suppose the chances are that one or both of them jumped clear at the last second?

For whatever it's worth, in response to somebody on X asking if they were dead, Jon Hurtwiz said this:
 

[Quilt Fairy]

There was some really good editing during Miguel's match where they cut in bits of his previous fights. 

[TiredMe]

18 minutes ago, Quilt Fairy said:

There was some really good editing during Miguel's match where they cut in bits of his previous fights. 

That was my favorite part of the episode. That and Kreese torching himself….maybe lol

[marinw]

I think Axel threw the match as it was the only way to get out from under Wolf’s abuse. I can see him joining CK after a while.

Edited February 16 by marinw

[Raja]

23 minutes ago, marinw said:

I think Axel threw the match as it was the only way to get out from under Wolf’s abuse. I can see him joining.CK after a while.

 

Axel may have lost the eye of tiger after starting to take hits and then maiming Robby in response and being ordered to do it again. He then refused to attack a previously injured part of Miguel. With the free flow amateur boxing like scoring a hit in the back may have been as illegal as a crane kick to the face was in the three point matches. Throwing the match takes away from Miguel becoming world champion not that he needed it like Tory.

[bettername2come]

Aw, nice opening Daniel/Johnny scene. Cruising in Miyagi's car and taking Johnny back to where he remade Cobra Kai. Miguel and Johnny sitting on the curb in front of Cobra Kai having a heart to heart. I love the season 1 vibes.

I respect Tory being willing to open up and be vulnerable in her talk with the LaRussos. I'm glad the Binary Bros will be going to college together. I kind of wanted them to go to different schools, however, having them together is probably in the better interest of scientific advancement.

I appreciate how Robby knew how much Tory needed to hear "I love you" in that moment. Daniel and Johnny's just kind of "I don't know, man" exchange after was cute. And "No fucking mercy" was a nice touch. Daniel saying "Cobra Kai never dies" was a nice twist. And it was classic kinda smartass but good-natured Daniel delivery.

My god, the sensei pulled a "sweep the spine." Glad Axel made the right call. The fighting montage with previous seasons was good. And it was nice to see a time when Xolo was actually a teenager.

A fight by the senseis? Really?

Aw, tiny Laura with her little noise canceling headphones. She's so cute. I'm glad Kreese killed that guy that was coming for her and Carmen. Though I can't say I thought he was going to kill them both. On the other hand, Kreese has faked his death before, so...

[Virtual]

I was proud of Axel for standing up against Sensei Wolf the way he did. The only thing missing was him taking off his karate belt and slamming it on the ground in front of Wolf (like Bobby did in front of Kreese in a deleted scene in KK1 that takes place right after he injured Daniel).

So it was basically confirmed that Dennis was the one that burned Mike Barnes' store. When we need Kreese to do what he's good at the most, he shows up. Too bad Johnny will likely never know what Kreese did for him. I just don't think Kreese or Silver escaped that explosion. Even if they both managed to get off the boat, they still would have been in the vicinity of the explosion.

Edited February 19 by Virtual

[DoctorAtomic]

I do have to say, I like Axel. They've been gradual with his development. The actor is really nailing it and I'm sympathetic. I want Miguel to destroy him. 

It makes sense for Cobra Kai to come back full circle. But it's not like it was, and it's better. Everyone is behind them too. 

They're really leaning into character to close out the series. I'm really loving it. I'm dying from all the adultness.  

TMI. hahahahahahaha. MIT isn't actually that great anyway. 

Did they show the overall points? Can Cobra Kai actually win? Ah, I see they showed it after Tory. 

"I love you Tory." Damn ass show. This was a day to yell at the tv! Tory was showing some Miyagi moves in the second round there. 

WELCOME TO THE VALLEY. Holy shit that was amazing. 

I do think Robby might have beaten Axel if they didn't have him build up a 6-1 lead. That's why it seemed like he didn't need to break his leg. With the 5 point lead Axel could have won on points. 

Oh, so the Dragons are basically old Cobra Kai. We basically got a sweep the leg. And Cobra Kai needs to defeat itself to move forward. 

I kind of wanted Axel to beat his sensei's ass after. Telling him off was good. 

Oh what in the hell. End with the tie. 

I mean, I know what the show is, but this has got to be the most bonkers it's been. 

On 2/15/2025 at 6:40 PM, Raja said:

Throwing the match takes away from Miguel becoming world champion not that he needed it like Tory.

Axel didn't throw the match. He lost fair and square, and might have lost to Robby. I think he realized from Robby's match that he's not a machine and beatable. And for the second time, his sensei is telling him to injure an opponent because he didn't have the confidence that Axel could win. 

We don't know that had Axel tried to connect the kick whether it would have landed. 

[tennisgurl]

I never thought I would hear Daniel doing the "Cobra Kai never dies" line with sincerity, I love it. I am so glad that everyone is totally wise to Silver's crap, no more letting this asshole get into their heads and manipulate them. 

Miguel was such a tiny baby in those flashbacks, I loved how they spliced up his last fight with so many of his big moments from throughout the show, he really earned that big win. I am also really relived that Axel didn't listen to Silver and his deranged sensei about deliberately targeting Miguel's injury, he really isn't a bad guy and I hope that he gets as far away from that toxic dojo as possible. 

Awww Tory got a big kiss and got to kick that shitty Zara's teeth in, great day for Tory. 

Silver of course wants to hurt Carmen and cute little baby Laura to throw Jonny off his game, bond villain that he is, but Kreese is here to complete his redemption arc, which was pretty awesome in the most over the top 80s way you expect from this franchise. 

"Nooooo" 

"Mercy."