6 TTribune/Sentinelribune/Sentinel EEntertainmentntertainment FFriday,riday, JJanuaryanuary 22,22, 22021021 ‘Cobra Kai’ never dies: Q&A with stars of Netfl ix series Left: “Cobra Kai” features original “The Karate Kid” stars Ralph Macchio, left, as Daniel LaRusso, and William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence. (Cr. Curtis Bonds Baker/Netfl ix © 2020) • Middle: Samantha LaRusso (Mary Mouser) turns to Daniel to rediscover her strength. • Right: John Kreese (Martin Kove) is back on “Cobra Kai.” (Courtesy of Netfl ix © 2020) BY JOSHUA MALONI issues of yesteryear. campaign to close down Johnny’s lyzed from the waist down. Sam is simple because, walking back onto GM/Managing Editor But now imagine this: In season chop-shop. The two old rivals become shell-shocked and scarred from her the set is usually what just brings it Just like the three tenets scrolled one, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Mac- new enemies (sometimes frenemies), fi ght with Tory. Johnny has gone on all back all of a sudden. I can have across the dojo wall suggest, “Cobra chio) – sans the deceased Mr. Miyagi each trying to convince California a bender, and Daniel – at Amanda’s several months away from it, and Kai” struck fi rst, struck hard, and (Pat Morita) – has become a little youth theirs is the true karate. request – has ceased teaching karate. then I walk back into the backyard showed no mercy when it debuted on unlikable. No longer an underdog, Of course, in the season fi nale, Kreese, believing he has won, contin- of Mr. Miyagi’s house and it’s like, Netfl ix in 2020. Daniel-san has lost his luster. Instead, Miguel and Robby fi nd themselves in ues to teach his students to take no “Oh, I’m here again.” And my brain The further adventures of Daniel “The Karate Kid” we’re rooting for is the fi nals of the All Valley Champion- prisoners. Robby is on the lam, and goes straight back to where I was. It’s LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi (in spirit) vs. Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) – ship – competing in the same arena believes he has no allies. a little surreal; I feel like I’m living a Johnny Lawrence and John Kreese Johnny Lawrence – the guy who tor- where their instructors sparred three Desperate to fi nd guidance – and little bit in the past for half my year. (in the fl esh) shot to the top of the mented Daniel, broke Ali’s (Elisabeth decades earlier. This time around, how- save his dealership, which has taken •Xolo Maridueña: Yeah, I guess streamer – which was a remarkable Shue) radio, and led a karate biker ever, it’s Cobra Kai that gets the win. a public relations hit since the school for me, fortunately, I went from hav- feat, considering the series had a less- gang. Just as Johnny is starting to fi nd his fi ght – Daniel travels back to Mr. Mi- ing a super, super-intense season fi - than-favorable start when it debuted Johnny opts to reopen a Cobra Kai groove, his own master, John Kreese yagi’s home in Okinawa. There, he nale to having to just sleep for a few on the less-than-successful YouTube karate studio and – get this – trains (Martin Kove), shows up. The root fi nds some familiar faces who help episodes. Red in 2018. But with more people at bullied kids. Though miles from PC, of all evil in “The Karate Kid” uni- him regain his mojo, er, dojo, that is. But I will say, that aside, I love home last summer – voluntary or oth- Johnny starts to see there is a place verse vows he’s changed, but secretly As part of a recent Netfl ix press jun- stuff like that. I feel like playing a erwise – and sweatpants the new uni- for mercy – in karate, and in life. spends season two trying to take ket, Maridueña, Mouser, Henggeler character who’s always on top and versal dress code, comfort was key. Sensei Lawrence takes a particu- back Cobra Kai. He turns Johnny’s and Rubio shared thoughts on season always winning is fun or whatever, Television was a basic necessity, and lar shine to Miguel Diaz (Xolo Mari- students against each other – and sets three in a Zoom chat. An edited Q&A but having a character like Miguel, nostalgia a treasured friend. dueña) who, despite the objections of them at war with Sam, Robby and the follows. like Robby, like a lot of our characters To that end – and like a knight in his mother, Carmen (Vanessa Rubio), Miyagi-Do students. Q: When you shoot such an emotion- on the show who have your victories shining armor from a long time ago takes up karate, learns how to de- In the season fi nale, an all-out ally gripping, edge-of-your-seat season and your failures, that’s my favorite – “Cobra Kai” was the hero we were fend himself – and wins the heart of brawl breaks out at the high school. fi nale, you shoot it, but then you’re fi rst episode. Although it might be dreaming of. It provided all the feels Daniel’s daughter, Samantha (Mary Kreese’s top fi ghter – Tory (Peyton done. You go home and you live your hard to kind of get back into it when, for fans of John G. Avildsen’s 1984 Mouser). List) – makes a beeline for Sam, even life, and however many months go by. in theory, no time has passed when fi lm and its Okinawa-set 1986 sequel, At the same time, Johnny’s es- going so far as to whip out a Wol- And then you’re asked to come right you’re watching it, it’s defi nitely well while also presenting a fresh take on tranged son, Robby (Tanner Bu- verine-like claw. Robby and Miguel back. You’re right back into that scene, worth it. the characters. chanan), takes a job at LaRusso Lux- duke it out, too, but with dire conse- right back into that character. What is Q: I want to share some IMDb user Picture it: The skinny kid from ury Motors. Though initially there to quences. As Miguel has Robby on the the challenge in doing that, and what ratings with you: “Wizard of Oz,” 8; Reseda who shocked the karate world make trouble, he soon fi nds himself ground, he opts to show the mercy is the process? “Casablanca,” 8.5; original “Star with his All Valley upset of the reign- under Daniel’s wing. Training along- Johnny recently found. •Mary Mouser: You know, I think Wars,” 8.6; “Get Out,” 7.7; “Schitt’s ing and defending champ is now a side Sam in the Miyagi-Do technique, Big mistake. that defi nitely is a really diffi cult as- Creek,” 8.5; “Cobra Kai,” 8.7 – with husband and father of two, crane-kick- Robby fi nds self-discipline and aban- Robby gets up and kicks Miguel pect – especially with a show like this, the fi nal two episodes 9 and 9.6. It’s ing his way to the top of the suburban dons his delinquent tendencies. over a railing, sending him down sev- where the actual connectability – the one thing for “Karate Kid” fans to be car dealership game. His beaten oppo- When Robby’s mom leaves town, eral fl ights and onto the stairs, leaving issues – are so far from our own reali- excited about the series, but when gen- nent, who also wed and had a child, is Daniel and Amanda (Courtney Heng- him clinging to life. ties. Such as, you know, karate dojos eral user reaction is that high, what down and out, his only companion the geler) welcome him into their home. Netfl ix released all 10 episodes of battling it out and having that be the does that say about the quality of work Coors Banquet in the fridge and the Daniel decides it’s time to rid the the third season on New Year’s Day. biggest issue in the town. It’s compli- you are putting forth? boxed-up Sports Illustrated swimsuit world of Cobra Kai, and begins a The story picks up with Miguel para- cated, but at the same time it’s very •Xolo Maridueña: Yeah, I’d love to sit here and take all the credit, but really, I think, you know, it dwindles “VIEWPOINT” Youngstown Village Square Apartments down to our creators, Josh (Heald), Jon (Hurwitz) and Hayden (Schloss- Telephone Call-In Talk -BLF4U :PVOHTUPXO /:r berg). They defi nitely have the most ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS heart when it comes to creating this 297-1059 series – and it shows; they are the For 2 Bedroom Apartments Monday - Friday 9-11 am biggest “Karate Kid” fans that I know. 130'&44*0/"--:."/"(&% And really, I think, aside from that, “VIEWPOINT” IS the fact that they were able to get We maintain landscaping, trash removal, common area cleaning and snowplowing Ralph Macchio and William Zabka to Tom Darro THE NATION’S FIRST reprise their roles for this 30-some- "DDFTTJCMF6OJUTt0ò4USFFU1BSLJOHt-BVOESZPO1SFNJTFTt"QQMJBODFT$BSQFUJOHt1SPGFTTJPOBMMZ.BOBHFE thing years later down the line, I TWO-WAY TELEPHONE Call Q & D Managementt800-848-8569 think just speaks for itself. TALK SHOW I’m excited. Obviously, hearing 55:t/:43FMBZ-JOF those numbers and stuff like that is always a joy; but really the biggest joy Listen to NFP’s editors is getting to fi lm with everyone and getting to actually make the stuff. each Wednesday at 10:15 am MAKE EXTRA CASH $$$ •Mary Mouser: It defi nitely feels validating (laughs).