Counterbalance

This is another solid episode that features some surprisingly fierce fight choreography, in a scene that mirrors Johnny's fight against the high-school punks in the first episode.

Outside of that there's some enjoyable work by Nichole Brown as she becomes only the second applicant to the struggling martial arts program at the new Cobra Kai dojo - it's just a shame for her, then, that William Zabka has a "no girls in Cobra Kai" rule; and Ralph Macchio admirably evokes a sense of mid-life soul-searching, returning to the grave of his old sensei Pat Morita in the hopes of recapturing a sense of "balance" in his life.

While this show does not have an original bone in its body - and, like some of the recent Star Wars films, seems intent on rehashing elements from the original source material beat for beat - there's still a really nice balance of humor and drama here. The writing also has a way of not being completely lazy, even when the episode plots undoubtably are.

To that end, what Daniel does in this episode to get back at Johnny (with the help of a sleazy Ken Davitian) is genuinely surprising - it's a jerk move that puts other peoples' livelihoods at risk, and he's rightly called out for it. Its character moments like this that make "Cobra Kai" worth viewing; without them, the show would be dangerously close to being just another cheesy nostalgia trip.

Ep 5 of Cobra Kai is where the series truly kicks into high gear, combining adrenaline-pumping action with heartfelt emotional arcs.

Miguel's training reaches a thrilling peak, giving us our first real taste of what Cobra Kai karate looks like in the modern age. The fight choreography is sharp, clean, and surprisingly powerful for a streaming series... every punch feels earned because the show has built Miguel's journey with care.

At the same time, the drama between Johnny and Daniel deepens, echoing their decades-old rivalry while showing how the past still shapes their present. Johnny, played with raw sincerity by William Zabka, is increasingly complex- flawed but sympathetic. Xolo Maridueña proves he's more than capable of carrying the emotional and physical demands of his role, while Ralph Macchio grounds the narrative with family-driven stakes.

What elevates this episode is balance: we get emotional payoffs, kinetic action, and a renewed sense of momentum. It's the first time the show feels truly unmissable - nostalgia and new storytelling colliding in perfect rhythm.

Rating: 9/10. Emotionally charged, action-packed, and gripping - a standout episode that cements Cobra Kai as more than just a nostalgic revival.

Greetings from Lithuania.

5th episode named "Counterbalance" was the best in the first season so far. The many good references to the original movie, the first big fight scene and lessons that were finally paid - it was all here, done smoothly in a 34 min episode. When series episodes are this short (and this one was the longest!), every minute counts, and so far this show has not disappointing to say the least - i like it very much. Who might thought that 35 years later the great movie will get a great follow up. What a world we are living it!

A great tribute to the wise man himself, Mr Miyagi. Good storyline and character development in this episode. Loved seeing Miguel kick some ass.

That is how I felt after watching this episode! I was satisfied to see the great development and how things were panning out!

I really love how our two main characters are handled! Johnny really has a lot of depth qnd we see so much more of him than what Daniel sees! Daniels scheeming almost turns him into something that he is not! He lost balance in life, and i loved the way he decides to get that balance back!

The fights against Kyler was so satisfying! Very well shot and choerographed! They really nail the action in this show! This show, like the movie, manages to create characters that we love to hate, so that we can feel satisfied when they loose!

Great montage in the beginning! Some potential great development wirh Johnny's son!

The end had me just a little emotional!