Cobra Kai 3×07 “Obstáculos” (it’s pretty cool that the name isn’t only in Spanish, but with the proper tilde, too!) is one of the best episodes of this new season, and probably the best moment Johnny Lawrence has had in this entire show to date. We knew he had it in him, but he’s always been one step forward, two steps back, and though that hasn’t all been on him – looking at you too, Daniel – a lot of it has been his own stubbornness.
This Miguel storyline, however, has brought out a surprising side of Johnny. Not because, as I said before, we didn’t think he cared, but because he’s just never been good at this level of focus, at being there when someone needs him, without distractions, without excuses. And yet, Miguel is the person that has brought out that in him.
Who’s made him want to be better.
In many ways, as we have discussed before, this is the issue with Robby, that Johnny was never there for his son the way he’s managed to be there for Miguel. And yet I don’t want to focus on that now, not when Johnny has actually managed to do something right.
Let’s let him have this one.
Especially as Miguel – and I won’t even complain about how unrealistic it all is, but be assured, that’s not how physical therapy works – is now back on his feet! And it’s time for him, and Johnny Lawrence, to finally, finally, move away from Kreese and start his own dojo, free of the shadow of Cobra Kai.
For a show named Cobra Kai, that sounds like a swerve, but I actually think it’s exactly what needed to happen.
Yes, Kreese was and is the perfect villain for this series that could never truly be sustainable with just Johnny as his own antagonist. But the seeing through Kreese part has taken a bit too long for my liking, and the attempt to humanize Kreese has resulted in the lowest points of this show so far.
Like, we get it, there’s a reason he is the way he is. We just don’t really care.
Especially considering how much harm he’s causing, how much harm he’s always caused. Johnny is the prime example of this, and there are other kids in his clutches right about now, kids who deserve better.
So, even though Kreese still remains an enemy to take down, I’m glad this episode was finally the last straw. Time to say goodbye for good, Johnny. To Kreese, and to the past.
Oh, wait, there’s Ali.
But that’s a problem for another episode. For now, Johnny – and Miguel – just had a win. Amanda and Daniel are united in a common purpose. Daniel and Sam are finally on the same page. We all know who the bad guy is. Let’s enjoy this moment.
Cobra Kai season 3 is available to stream on Netflix.
