Cobra_Kai_(season_3)

<i>Cobra Kai</i> season 3

Cobra Kai season 3

Season of television series


The third season of Cobra Kai, stylized as COBRA KAIII, was released on Netflix on January 1, 2021, and consisted of 10 episodes. The series is a direct sequel to the original four films in The Karate Kid franchise, focusing on the characters of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence over 30 years after the original film. This is the first season to be released on Netflix after YouTube decided to sell the series following the first two seasons. YouTube ordered the season in 2019 and initially set a 2020 release date which was delayed after Netflix's acquisition.

Quick Facts Cobra Kai, Starring ...

The season is set in the aftermath of the school brawl, which has left Miguel paralyzed, Robby a wanted criminal, Cobra Kai under Kreese's thumb and Miyagi-Do shut down. As the students of Cobra Kai grow increasingly ruthless, many individuals must overcome their traumas and rivalries once and for all.

There were nine starring roles throughout the season which also featured guest actors returning to the franchise portraying characters from the first and second films. A soundtrack featuring music from the season was also released in January 2021. The season was met with positive reviews from critics. The season also received numerous award nominations including an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series. It is considered an international success ranking on Netflix's top ten list in 85 countries and reaching 45 million viewers within the first four months of its release.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

  • Aedin Mincks as Mitch
  • Vanessa Rubio as Carmen Diaz
  • Khalil Everage as Chris
  • Owen Morgan as Bert
  • Hannah Kepple as Moon
  • Annalisa Cochrane as Yasmine
  • Joe Seo as Kyler Park
  • Nathaniel Oh as Nathaniel
  • Peyton List as Tory Nichols[lower-alpha 1]
  • Okea Eme-Akwari as Shawn Payne
  • Barrett Carnahan as young Kreese
  • Nick Marini as young Terry Silver
  • Terry Serpico as Captain Turner
  • John Cihangir as Doug Rickenberger
  • Chris Schmidt as Mikey
  • Tony Vo as Stiven
  • Thomas Patrick Ryan Watson as Paul

Notable guests

Episodes

More information No. overall, No. in season ...

Production

Development

YouTube renewed Cobra Kai for a third season in May 2019.[2] The following year, Sony Pictures Television, the series distribution company, was looking to move the series to a different platform ahead of the season's release.[3] At the time, it was said that YouTube was willing to release the third season but was not interested in renewing it for a fourth because the platform changed its model from streaming video on demand to advertising-based video on demand and as a result was shifting its focus from scripted programming to unscripted.[3] Netflix and Hulu were named as potential buyers for the season.[4] In June 2020, the series was moving to Netflix.[5] Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg returned as executive producers for the season through their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment, while Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Caleeb Pinkett served as executive produced through the Overbrook Entertainment production company.[6] In addition, series stars Macchio and Zabka were co-executive producers.[7] Ahead of the third season's release, Netflix renewed the series for a fourth season.[8]

Casting

The season featured nine starring roles, all of which returned from the previous season.[9] Peyton List continued to recur as Tory Nichols, a character introduced in the second season, and often appeared alongside the main cast in promotional events, material, and interviews.[10] Elisabeth Shue returned to the franchise in a two-episode story arc reprising her role as Ali Mills from The Karate Kid.[11] The Karate Kid Part II actors Ron Thomas, Tamlyn Tomita, Traci Toguchi, and Yuji Okumoto also returned during the season reprising their roles as Bobby, Kumiko, Yuna, and Chozen Toguchi, respectively.[12] Actress Nichole Brown confirmed that she would not be returning to the series as Aisha Robinson after recurring throughout the first two seasons because the writers couldn't fit her into the story.[13] Jon Hurwitz later stated in an interview that he was open to having the character appear in a later season.[14] Paul Walter Hauser, who played Raymond "Stingray" in the previous season, was intended to return, but his commitments with Cruella, which was being filmed overseas, prevented him from reprising the role, as the film was shot concurrently to this season.[15] Singer-songwriter Dee Snider guest starred in one episode performing as the band Twisted Sister.[16]

Filming

Filming on the season was complete in 2019 prior to the series acquisition by Netflix.[17] Principal photography for the season took place in Atlanta, Georgia.[18] Additional locations included a two-day filming block in Okinawa, Japan in November 2019.[19] The house where the character Daniel LaRusso and his family lives is located in Marietta, Georgia, and was featured on an episode of HGTV's My Big Amazing Renovation.[20] Some filming also took place in Los Angeles, California, where the series is set, and surrounding suburbs.[21]

Music

Featured music throughout the season primarily highlighted music from the 1980s.[22] Guest star Dee Snider performed the song "I Wanna Rock".[23]

Soundtrack

Quick Facts Cobra Kai: Season 3(Soundtrack from the Netflix Original Series), Soundtrack album by Leo Birenberg& Zach Robinson ...

Madison Gate Records released a digital soundtrack album on January 8, 2021, entitled Cobra Kai: Season 3 (Soundtrack from the Netflix Original Series), to accompany the third season.[24] A 2-CD Deluxe Edition soundtrack, featuring 19 additional bonus tracks, was released by La-La Land Records on January 19.[25] Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson continued to serve as composers for the third season.[26] Birenbeng and Robinson stated in an interview that they wished to bring an eighties feel to the soundtrack and took inspiration from bands such as X Japan and DragonForce.[26] The track "Miyagi Metal" incorporated themes from the original Karate Kid soundtrack, composed by Bill Conti.[26]

Track listing
More information No., Title ...

All music is composed by Leo Birenberg & Zach Robinson, except where noted

More information No., Title ...

Marketing and release

YouTube initially slated the season for a 2020 release.[28] After the series was sold to Netflix the first two seasons were released on the streaming platform in late 2020 with the third season to be released at a "later date".[29] As part of the move, the first two seasons remained available to stream to subscribers of YouTube Premium.[30] Originally to be released on January 8, 2021,[31] this date was changed to January 1, coinciding with New Year's Day.[32]

Reception

Critical response

More information Aggregate scores, Source ...

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the season holds a 90% approval rating with an average rating of 8 out of 10 based on 51 reviews.[34] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, based on reviews from 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[33] CNN's Brian Lowry wrote that the third season "kicks up the nostalgia factor into an even higher gear while remaining every bit as soapy, playful and disarmingly funny".[40] Jen Chaney of Vulture held a similar opinion writing that the series feeds to Generation X nostalgia but that the season also provided an underlying theme that nostalgia is toxic.[41] Saidat Giwa-Osagie with Radio Times said the episodes during the season were the most comedic so far and that the finale episode resolved more than the preceding two finales.[37] Meanwhile, IGN's Matt Fowler opined that the season "achieves a resoundingly fun balance between triumphant and corny".[38] Alex McLevy, writing for The A.V. Club, felt that some plotlines were planned poorly but that the season returned to its basic themes leading to an enjoyable season.[35] Entertainment Weekly writer Darren Franich held a slightly dissenting opinion saying that the season wasn't Cobra Kai's best but that the episodes remained satisfying.[36] Franich also wrote that Nichole Brown's absence in the season led to an "uneasy representational tilt".[36] Melanie McFarland from Salon also felt the season declined from the previous two but still referred to it as a worthwhile viewing experience.[42] Paul Tassi, a senior contributor for Forbes, said that the season "continues to defy the odds" by wrapping up previous plot points from The Karate Kid but also making continuous progress on new storylines.[43] The Telegraph's Ed Power wrote in a similar review that the series will please the older and younger generations.[39]

Awards and nominations

Following the season's release the series was nominated for Favorite Family TV Show at the 2021 Kids' Choice Awards on Nickelodeon, but the award was lost to Netflix's Stranger Things.[44] For the 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards, the series received a nomination for Best Show while a fight scene in the final episode earned a Best Fight nomination.[45] Both awards were lost to WandaVision on Disney+.[46] At the 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards, the season picked up a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series[47] which was lost to The Mandalorian, also on Disney+.[48] During the 1st Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards the series gained a nomination for Best Streaming Series, Comedy.[49] This nomination was ultimately awarded to Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso although Cobra Kai was granted an honorary award during the ceremony, known as the Legacy Award.[50] An Outstanding Comedy Series nomination was gained for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards.[51] Meanwhile, the finale episode, "December 19", picked up an additional three nominations from the 73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.[52] These nominations included Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation, and Outstanding Stunt Performance.[53] Each of these awards were lost to Netflix's Love, Death & Robots, Ted Lasso, and The Mandalorian, respectively.[54] Three other nominations for The Show of 2021, The Drama Show of 2021, and The Bingeworthy Show of 2021 were all received for the 2021 People's Choice Awards,[55] which were lost to Loki, Grey's Anatomy, and Squid Game, respectively.[56]

Viewing figures

Netflix reported in January 2021 that the series was on track for over 41 million households to have seen at least some of the season within the first 28 days of its release.[lower-alpha 4][58] This caused the series to become the number one overall title on Netflix in 28 countries and holding a top ten slot in 85 countries.[57] In addition, Cobra Kai was pushed to the top spot on two of Nielsen's weekly top ten lists for subscription-based platforms, the series held the top spot on the Top 10 Programs Overall and Top 10 Originals lists for the week of January 4–10, 2021.[59] By the end of the first quarter in April, the total number of households had risen to 45 million.[60]

Notes

  1. Despite only being credited as a recurring guest star, List was frequently listed alongside other starring cast members in promotional material.[1]
  2. Included as the first bonus track on the La-La Land Records release.[27]
  3. Not included on the La-La Land Records release.[27]
  4. Netflix counts a single viewer as any account holder who has viewed two continuous minutes of a title uninterrupted.[57]

References

  1. Lambe, Stacy (January 1, 2020). "The 'Cobra Kai' Cast on That Season 3 Cliffhanger and Unexpected Alliance (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  2. Otterson, Joe (May 2, 2019). "'Cobra Kai' Renewed for Season 3 at YouTube Premium". Variety. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. Andreeva, Nellie (May 28, 2020). "'Cobra Kai' Closing In On New Streaming Home With YouTube Poised To Release Hit Series Ahead Of Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  4. Sneider, Jeff (May 28, 2020). "'Cobra Kai' Could Be Moving to Netflix or Hulu as YouTube Lets Go of Series". Collider. Archived from the original on December 26, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  5. Ausiello, Michael (June 22, 2020). "Cobra Kai Is Moving to Netflix". TVLine. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  6. Andreeva, Nellie (October 2, 2020). "'Cobra Kai' Renewed For Season 4 By Netflix, Sets Season 3 Premiere Date On Streamer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  7. Maglio, Tony (October 2, 2020). "'Cobra Kai' Renewed for Season 4, Netflix Unveils Season 3 Premiere Date – and a Teaser (Video)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  8. Low, Elaine (October 2, 2020). "'Cobra Kai' Renewed for Season 4 at Netflix, Season 3 to Premiere in 2021". Variety. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  9. Morris, Lauren (December 10, 2020). "Meet the cast of Cobra Kai season 3". Radio Times. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  10. Cordero, Rosy. "Watch the cast of Cobra Kai tease season 3 drama in EW's virtual roundtable". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  11. Lambe, Stacy (January 5, 2021). "Inside Elisabeth Shue's 'Karate Kid' Reunion on 'Cobra Kai' Season 3 (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  12. Lambe, Stacy (January 1, 2021). "'Cobra Kai' Cast on Season 3 Bringing Back Several Major 'Karate Kid' Favorites (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  13. Hough, Q.V. (December 17, 2020). "Cobra Kai: Why Aisha Robinson (Nichole Brown) Won't Appear In Season 3". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  14. Caruso, Nick (December 28, 2020). "Cobra Kai Season 3: The Story Behind [Spoiler]'s Surprising Departure". TVLine. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  15. Ridgely, Charlie (January 11, 2022). "Cobra Kai Producer Opens Up About Paul Walter Hauser's Season 4 Return". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  16. Topel, Fred (June 25, 2021). "'Cobra Kai' Had 2 Secret Weapons to Convince Dee Snider to Cameo on Season 3". Showbiz CheatSheet. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  17. Woo, Kelly (December 24, 2020). "Cobra Kai season 3 trailer, release date, spoilers, cast and everything else we know". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  18. Regalbuto, Benny (January 13, 2021). "The Only Two Cobra Kai Actors Who Got To Travel To Okinawa For Season 3". Looper. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  19. Nemiroff, Perri (December 28, 2020). "Ralph Macchio Teases the Value of Chozen and Kumiko's Return in 'Cobra Kai' Season 3". Collider. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  20. Blake, Lindsay (April 21, 2020). "Ralph Macchio's 'Cobra Kai' Mansion Kicks on to the Market at $2.65M". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  21. Sorokach, Josh (September 1, 2020). "Where Was 'Cobra Kai' Filmed? See All the Filming Locations". Decider. Archived from the original on September 16, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  22. Parhl, Amanda (January 4, 2021). "Listen to All the Throwback Songs From Cobra Kai's Kickass Third Season". PopSugar. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  23. "'Cobra Kai' Season 3 Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. December 31, 2020. Archived from the original on August 17, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  24. "'Cobra Kai' Seasons 2 & 3 Deluxe Edition Soundtracks Announced". Film Music Reporter. January 4, 2021. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  25. Morton, Luke (January 5, 2021). "Meet the guys behind Cobra Kai's new heavy metal soundtrack". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  26. "COBRA KAI : SEASON THREE (2-CD SET)". La-La Land Recocrds. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  27. Baldwin, Kristin (May 2, 2019). "YouTube renews Cobra Kai for season 3, makes all shows free". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  28. Goldberg, Leslie (June 22, 2020). "'Cobra Kai' Moves to Netflix as YouTube Officially Out of Scripted". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  29. Andreeva, Nellie (June 22, 2020). "'Cobra Kai' Moves From YouTube To Netflix Ahead Of Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  30. Baldwin, Kristen (October 2, 2020). "Cobra Kai season 3 premiere date revealed". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  31. Ramos, Dino-Ray (December 24, 2020). "Johnny Lawrence Switches 'Cobra Kai' Season 3 Release Date". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  32. "Cobra Kai: Season 3". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  33. "Cobra Kai: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  34. McLevy, Alex (December 28, 2020). "Cobra Kai karate chops its way back to broad, dumb fun with an improved season 3". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  35. Franich, Darren. "Cobra Kai's meandering third season builds to an awesomely emotional finale: Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  36. Giwa-Osagie, Saidat (December 28, 2020). "Cobra Kai season 3 review: Netflix series karate kicks back in spectacular style". Radio Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  37. Fowler, Matt (January 1, 2021). "Cobra Kai: Season 3 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  38. Power, Ed (December 28, 2020). "Cobra Kai, season 3 review: this fun spin-off continues to kick Karate Kid straight into the 21st century". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  39. Lowry, Brian (December 31, 2020). "'Cobra Kai' kicks up the nostalgia as Season 3 lands on Netflix". CNN. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  40. Chaney, Jan (January 8, 2021). "Cobra Kai Season 3 Sends Mixed Nostalgia Messages". Vulture. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  41. McFarland, Melanie (January 1, 2021). "In its third season, "Cobra Kai's" one-note villain knocks it off its game". Salon. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  42. Tassi, Paul (January 4, 2021). "Netflix's 'Cobra Kai' Season 3 Somehow Surpasses The First Two". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  43. Calvario, Liz (March 13, 2021). "2021 Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  44. Del Rosario, Alexandria (August 19, 2021). "MTV Movie & TV Awards Nominations: 'Emily In Paris', 'WandaVision' & 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Lead Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  45. Welk, Brian; Gonzalez, Umberto (March 16, 2021). "2021 MTV Movie and TV Awards: Complete List of Winners". TheWrap. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  46. "Nominations Announced for the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. February 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  47. Kinane, Ruth (April 4, 2021). "Screen Actors Guild Awards 2021: See the full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  48. Menzel, Scott (July 8, 2021). "Ted Lasso, The Handmaid's Tale, And Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Lead Inaugural HCA TV Awards Nominations". Hollywood Critics Association. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  49. Schneider, Michael (August 29, 2021). "'Ted Lasso', 'The Crown', 'The Mandalorian', 'Cruel Summer', 'New Amsterdam' Among HCA TV Awards Winners". Variety. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  50. Whitten, Sarah (July 13, 2021). "Emmys 2021: 'The Crown', 'The Mandalorian' lead nominations". CNBC. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  51. Directo-Meston, Danielle (September 9, 2021). "Emmys 2021: Where to Stream the Nominated Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  52. Sheehan, Paul; Stewart, Matthew (September 12, 2021). "2021 Creative Arts Emmy winners: Full list of winners in all 93 categories [UPDATING LIVE]". GoldDerby. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  53. Schwartz, Ryan; Caruso, Nick (September 12, 2021). "Emmys: The Queen's Gambit, SNL and The Mandalorian Lead Early Winners; Ted Lasso Grabs First Wins". TVLine. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  54. Verhoven, Beatrice (October 27, 2021). "'Black Widow', 'Cobra Kai' Among 2021 People's Choice Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  55. Malex, Brett; Thompson, Jake (December 7, 2021). "People's Choice Awards 2021 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  56. Maglio, Tony (January 12, 2021). "'Cobra Kai' Season 3 Draws Big Viewership, but Nowhere Near 'Bridgerton' or 'Queen's Gambit'". TheWrap. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  57. White, Peter (January 12, 2021). "'Cobra Kai': Netflix Reveals Viewing Data For Season 3 As Karate Drama Becomes One Of Streamer's Top Returning Shows". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  58. Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (February 8, 2021). "'Cobra Kai' Kicks Its Way to the Top of Two Weekly Nielsen Streaming Lists". Variety. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Cobra_Kai_(season_3), and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.