Strike First
- Episode aired May 2, 2018
- TV-14
- 28m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
5.8K
YOUR RATING
Daniel is dismayed to find a new Cobra Kai dojo has been opened up. Johnny learns his dojo has to pass several safety requirements before he can actually start teaching.Daniel is dismayed to find a new Cobra Kai dojo has been opened up. Johnny learns his dojo has to pass several safety requirements before he can actually start teaching.Daniel is dismayed to find a new Cobra Kai dojo has been opened up. Johnny learns his dojo has to pass several safety requirements before he can actually start teaching.
Gianni DeCenzo
- Demetri
- (as Gianni Decenzo)
Nichole Brown
- Aisha Robinson
- (as Nichole La'net Brown)
Featured reviews
Indeed, the flurry of nostalgic thrills seem to continue in "Strike First". While not nearly as well-paced as "Ace Degenerate", it serves as a worthy follow-up and opens up new doors for the series. The opening of the Cobra Kai dojo on Johnny's (William Zabka) behalf is a neat storyline to follow and I'm interested to see how he will be able to balance having to deal with Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and his new students. Macchio had a little more screen time here, allowing him to really show us what his family is like and what he has matured into. The scene where the two are standing in the new dojo was absolutely wonderful and we may actually get that showdown this season.
Ep 2 keeps the momentum going, fleshing out the themes set in the premiere while expanding on both Johnny's struggles and Daniel's world.
The series cleverly continues its role reversal, giving each character moments that blur the line between hero and villain. What stands out here is how the show layers humor with moments of genuine heart, avoiding the trap of simply leaning on 80s nostalgia.
The pacing is slightly steadier than the high-energy opener, but it allows the show to add depth to its characters. We see the beginnings of relationships that will clearly shape the rest of the season, and the writing manages to balance comedy, drama, and action without tipping too far in one direction.
It's a confident follow-up that proves the pilot wasn't a one-off. The show has more to say than just revisiting the past-it's carving its own identity while respecting the original films.
Rating: 7.5/10.
The series cleverly continues its role reversal, giving each character moments that blur the line between hero and villain. What stands out here is how the show layers humor with moments of genuine heart, avoiding the trap of simply leaning on 80s nostalgia.
The pacing is slightly steadier than the high-energy opener, but it allows the show to add depth to its characters. We see the beginnings of relationships that will clearly shape the rest of the season, and the writing manages to balance comedy, drama, and action without tipping too far in one direction.
It's a confident follow-up that proves the pilot wasn't a one-off. The show has more to say than just revisiting the past-it's carving its own identity while respecting the original films.
Rating: 7.5/10.
Johnny learns that his newly acquired dojo will require meeting a number of safety requirements before he can actually begin teaching. To that end, he has his first student, the put-upon Miguel (an excellent, and likeable, Xolo Mariduena) put in lots of physical labor. Meanwhile, we get more of a look at Daniels' home life, with his wife (Courtney Henggeler) and daughter (Mary Mouser), and son (Griffin Santopietro).
Effective bits include the portrayal of high school life for characters like Miguel. He tries asserting himself with a girl from a different clique, as one of the lessons Johnny has taught him is that hesitation NEVER pays off.
We also get to see another aspect of Johnny's life. As it turns out, he has his own teenage son (Tanner Buchanan) who is currently a true bad seed.
It's nice to see Daniel continue to get fleshed out as a character at this point in his life. He's doing his best to be a responsible father; however, when he "over-reacts" to a pool party thrown by his daughter, it's easy enough to see things from his point of view. He is admittedly thrown for a loop when he sees that Johnny is re-opening the Cobra Kai dojo. This leads to a solid confrontation wherein Daniel is certain that Johnny is acting like decades haven't gone by (and HE does instruct Miguel the same way that his old sensei Kreese would do), and Johnny informs him that he might not know that much about his daughter and her friends.
The show-runners here have done a superb job of building anticipation for all of the further developments in this series.
One hearty laugh occurs early on when the building inspector mistakes the cobra in the logo for a rattlesnake, and mispronounces the word "kai".
Eight out of 10.
Effective bits include the portrayal of high school life for characters like Miguel. He tries asserting himself with a girl from a different clique, as one of the lessons Johnny has taught him is that hesitation NEVER pays off.
We also get to see another aspect of Johnny's life. As it turns out, he has his own teenage son (Tanner Buchanan) who is currently a true bad seed.
It's nice to see Daniel continue to get fleshed out as a character at this point in his life. He's doing his best to be a responsible father; however, when he "over-reacts" to a pool party thrown by his daughter, it's easy enough to see things from his point of view. He is admittedly thrown for a loop when he sees that Johnny is re-opening the Cobra Kai dojo. This leads to a solid confrontation wherein Daniel is certain that Johnny is acting like decades haven't gone by (and HE does instruct Miguel the same way that his old sensei Kreese would do), and Johnny informs him that he might not know that much about his daughter and her friends.
The show-runners here have done a superb job of building anticipation for all of the further developments in this series.
One hearty laugh occurs early on when the building inspector mistakes the cobra in the logo for a rattlesnake, and mispronounces the word "kai".
Eight out of 10.
This is a fantastic follow up to the first episode. Here we explore more of Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio)'s life, mostly as it pertains to his wife (Courtney Henggeler) and daughter (Mary Mouser). The former seems to be a lot more acclimated to the rich upper-class life the LaRusso family now leads; Macchio, meanwhile, is convincing as a guy whose wealth was earned, not inherited. He is from New Jersey after all, as established in the first "Karate Kid" film. Exploring Daniel's character more in this episode also helps remove some of the d-baggery that hung over his brief appearance in episode 1.
Outside of that, there's decent work by the kids in the cast, one of whom, Xolo Maridueña, is taken under Johnny (William Zabka)'s wing at the new Cobra Kai dojo. And Joe Seo is suitably arrogant and vicious as Daniel's daughter's love interest; the scrapes and bruises he got in the first episode lead Daniel to assume he was the victim, not the aggressor, all culminating in an electric confrontation between Johnny and Daniel at the end. It's worth the wait.
This is about as good a reboot/revival/continuation as I've seen from Hollywood in quite awhile. As long as the scripts can keep Johnny and Daniel front and center, this one looks like it'll be a winner.
Outside of that, there's decent work by the kids in the cast, one of whom, Xolo Maridueña, is taken under Johnny (William Zabka)'s wing at the new Cobra Kai dojo. And Joe Seo is suitably arrogant and vicious as Daniel's daughter's love interest; the scrapes and bruises he got in the first episode lead Daniel to assume he was the victim, not the aggressor, all culminating in an electric confrontation between Johnny and Daniel at the end. It's worth the wait.
This is about as good a reboot/revival/continuation as I've seen from Hollywood in quite awhile. As long as the scripts can keep Johnny and Daniel front and center, this one looks like it'll be a winner.
Greetings from Lithuania.
First two episodes of "Cobra Kai" were very well done, acted and were really involving. I liked the whole concept of bringing these two old (but not so much) characters who stared in a legendary movie. I liked the concept, and so far i really like the execution. It all very simple, all way to familiar, but if it works - it works.
Overall, i will be looking forward to see it more.
First two episodes of "Cobra Kai" were very well done, acted and were really involving. I liked the whole concept of bringing these two old (but not so much) characters who stared in a legendary movie. I liked the concept, and so far i really like the execution. It all very simple, all way to familiar, but if it works - it works.
Overall, i will be looking forward to see it more.
Did you know
- TriviaJohnny says to Miguel, "We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak. Here, on the street, in competition, a man confronts you, he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy. Is there a problem, Mr. Diaz?" In Karate Kid, Kreese gives this same speech except at the end he says to Johnny, "Is there a problem, Mr. Lawrence?"
- GoofsWhen Daniel enters Johnny's Dojo, the door chimes, but when he leaves, there is no sound.
- Quotes
Johnny Lawrence: And change that ringtone. Get some Guns N' Roses or something.
Miguel: What's Guns N' Roses?
Johnny Lawrence: I'm going to pretend you didn't say that.
- ConnectionsFeatures The Karate Kid (1984)
Details
- Runtime
- 28m
- Color
- Sound mix
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