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Cobra Kai
S1.E5
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
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IMDbPro

Counterbalance

  • Episode aired May 2, 2018
  • TV-14
  • 32m
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
5.8K
YOUR RATING
Ralph Macchio in Cobra Kai (2018)
Martial ArtsTeen DramaActionComedyDramaSport

Cobra Kai gains its second student. Daniel has an intricate plan to get payback on Johnny. Miguel defends Samantha against Kyler during lunch break.Cobra Kai gains its second student. Daniel has an intricate plan to get payback on Johnny. Miguel defends Samantha against Kyler during lunch break.Cobra Kai gains its second student. Daniel has an intricate plan to get payback on Johnny. Miguel defends Samantha against Kyler during lunch break.

  • Director
    • Josh Heald
  • Writers
    • Robert Mark Kamen
    • Josh Heald
    • Jon Hurwitz
  • Stars
    • Ralph Macchio
    • William Zabka
    • Courtney Henggeler
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.8/10
    5.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Josh Heald
    • Writers
      • Robert Mark Kamen
      • Josh Heald
      • Jon Hurwitz
    • Stars
      • Ralph Macchio
      • William Zabka
      • Courtney Henggeler
    • 17User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos32

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    Top cast34

    Edit
    Ralph Macchio
    Ralph Macchio
    • Daniel LaRusso
    William Zabka
    William Zabka
    • Johnny Lawrence
    Courtney Henggeler
    Courtney Henggeler
    • Amanda LaRusso
    Xolo Maridueña
    Xolo Maridueña
    • Miguel Diaz
    Tanner Buchanan
    Tanner Buchanan
    • Robby Keene
    Mary Mouser
    Mary Mouser
    • Samantha LaRusso
    Pat Morita
    Pat Morita
    • Mr. Miyagi
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita)
    Joe Seo
    Joe Seo
    • Kyler Park
    Jacob Bertrand
    Jacob Bertrand
    • Eli 'Hawk' Moskowitz
    Ken Davitian
    Ken Davitian
    • Armand Zakarian
    Diora Baird
    Diora Baird
    • Shannon
    Annalisa Cochrane
    Annalisa Cochrane
    • Yasmine
    Gianni DeCenzo
    Gianni DeCenzo
    • Demetri
    • (as Gianni Decenzo)
    Bo Mitchell
    Bo Mitchell
    • Brucks
    Griffin Santopietro
    Griffin Santopietro
    • Anthony LaRusso
    Hannah Kepple
    Hannah Kepple
    • Moon
    Vas Sanchez
    Vas Sanchez
    • Nestor
    Susan Gallagher
    Susan Gallagher
    • Lynn
    • Director
      • Josh Heald
    • Writers
      • Robert Mark Kamen
      • Josh Heald
      • Jon Hurwitz
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    8.85.8K
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    Featured reviews

    10med-01081

    Best episode by far

    Easily the best episode of all 3 seasons. This had a lot of heart and emotion. If you aren't moved by the last scene then you have no heart!
    10GraXXoR

    Continues to deliver nuance.

    Does this review include spoilers? Maybe, of a kind...

    Every time I expect the kids to do something "typically inane" they surprise me by stepping back and coming out with something above and beyond rather than ridiculous.

    Every time I see one of the pro(an)agonists do something silly, I expect it to escalate beyond reasonable, as it seems to en every single other series I've watched recently... It doesn't... it stays firmly grounded in that person's honest desire to do what they feel is right and doesn't spiral out of control as I've seen it happen so often of late.

    This series is right on par with Breaking Bad in terms of character relationship development!

    Outstandingly heartwarming without unnecessary saccharine.
    9serrakiper

    Memoriam

    Just like memoriam. Mr. Miyagi is far away but I feel his motto on behavior and words of Mr. LaRusso:) Good to see him even it's old screen shots. It is special show. I remember the first releasing time.
    8Calicodreamin

    Miyagi

    A great tribute to the wise man himself, Mr Miyagi. Good storyline and character development in this episode. Loved seeing Miguel kick some ass.
    10jacdstoc

    Wow

    Final you see William Zabka as he should have been seen since the first movie. As a good guy. And you see Ralph Macchio as the bad guy he was always!

    Related interests

    Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon (1973)
    Martial Arts
    Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club (1985)
    Teen Drama
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in Moneyball (2011)
    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The bandana used in the final scene of this episode by Daniel is the same one from the original movie back in 1984.
    • Goofs
      Mr. Miyagi's first name changes in between the original Karate Kid movies and this series. In the first movie, his name has been given as Hideo (written on the dog tags attached to the keys for the 1948 Ford he gives Daniel for his 16th birthday, these can be seen when Daniel holds the keys in his hand as they are in the ignition).

      In The Karate Kid Part II (1986) his first name is shown as Nariyoshi. It's written on a banner in Japanese, which is why many American viewers missed it.

      In the 4th film of the franchise, The Next Karate Kid (1994), Mr. Miyagi's first name is given as Keisuke.

      In this series, his grave shows his first name as being Nariyoshi.
    • Quotes

      Johnny Lawrence: So, let me get this straight. You took all the lessons I taught you, and you used them to straight-up beat the shit out of those punks.

      Miguel Diaz: Well... yeah.

      Johnny Lawrence: Follow me.

    • Crazy credits
      The episode ends with a dedication to Pat Morita.
    • Connections
      Featured in Cobra Kai: No Mercy (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Keep This Party Rockin'
      (uncredited)

      Written by Bob Mair and Nick Vincent and Richard Trapp

      Performed by St. John

      Courtesy of Black Toast Music

    Top picks

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 2, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • 18555 Burbank Blvd, Tarzana, Los Angeles, California, USA(apartment exterior)
    • Production companies
      • Hurwitz & Schlossberg Productions
      • Overbrook Entertainment
      • Sony Pictures Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 32m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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