Episode Details

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock the last thirty years, you’re no doubt familiar with The Karate Kid - the inspiring underdog story of Daniel Larusso, an awkward teen from Newark who moves to ‘The Valley’ and is relentlessly bullied until he learns to defend himself and find balance in his life thanks to his neighbor, mentor, father figure, and sensei Mr. Miyagi.

You’re also no doubt familiar with the iconic scene where Daniel Larusso wins the All Valley Karate Tournament, defeating his nemesis Johnny Lawrence of Cobra Kai with his infamous “Crane kick.”

How is it possible this was THIRTY FOUR YEARS AGO???

Despite three decades of sequels (and a remake I will not mention any further), what the saga has yet to reveal is the ripple effect of taking that crane kick to the face. If you’ve ever wondered how losing to Daniel Larusso changed the life of Johnny Lawrence, the wait is finally over thanks to the brilliant new YouTube Red series Cobra Kai (the first two episodes are free).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCwwxNbtK6Y

I dare you to watch the trailer for Cobra Kai and not binge the whole season right after

If you’re not familiar with The Karate Kid saga, Cobra Kai is incredibly entertaining, funny, poignant, completely self-aware, and inspiring. I highly recommend it as the next binge worthy show on your watchlist.

If you’re a “Child of the 80’s” and you grew up with The Karate Kid like I did, then Cobra Kai is quite possibly the Best. Thing. Ever.

Before reading ahead be aware this article is not a review of Cobra Kai (but if it were, I’d give it 4.5 out of 5 “crane kicks”).

Also be warned THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS if you haven’t watched yet.

While there’s no question the filmmakers crafted this series with great love, care, and admiration for the original saga, what’s not quite as evident upon a first viewing are the powerful life lessons hidden deep within.

In our current climate of divisive politics and the reemergence of bigotry, racism, and hatred for those who might think or act differently than you, it’s fitting that our newest hero is Johnny Lawrence, the most notorious bully in cinematic history (and the embodiment of everyone who made my life hell growing up as a “creative” child).

How 'The Karate Kid' Saved My Life

Being highly creative, introverted, and scrawny from a very early age, I was always labeled “different” (well...the kids labeled me much worse, let’s just leave it at that). I have memories dating back to preschool of the first time I was bullied, and unfortunately those memories span well into my junior year of high school.

I’ve been sucker-punched in the gut, slapped on the back of the head, tripped, had my locker super glued shut, been spit on, had gum put in my hair, had my head shoved in a toilet (and then had it flushed for what was termed a “Swirly”), been dragged through the mud, and been verbally abused and called more names than I can recount.

Yup. Been there, done that.

Movies became my escape from the nightmare that was elementary through high school, and The Karate Kid was THE formative film of my youth. I spent countless hours practicing the crane kick against anything I could find, including throwing my mattress against a wall. Kicking the crap out of my twin bed only got me so far, however, so eventually at the encouragement of my dad I formally started martial arts in my early teens.

I did not study m