Cobra Kai Season 6: Part 1 Review - The Flaws Of Netflix's Season-Splitting Model Are Starting To Show

Summary Season 6, Part 1 of Cobra Kai has slower pacing due to its split nature.

Part 1 focuses on setup rather than development, leading to a lack of tension.

Episode 5 of Part 1 contains the most significant twist, hinting at more intense moments in the final parts.

The final season of Cobra Kai is off to a slightly slower, but steady start. To close out the story, and give the characters a proper send-off, the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai has been split into three parts, each consisting of five episodes. While this certainly means season 6 has plenty of room to breathe, it could also lead to some overly lengthy parts that would have benefited from being shorter. And while part 1 has some strong moments, it suffers from slower pacing.

Cobra Kai Where to Watch Season All Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Cast Tanner Buchanan , Xolo Mariduena , Mary Mouser , Connor Murdock , Ralph Macchio , Nichole Brown , Jacob Bertrand , Griffin Santopietro , William Zabka Seasons 6 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Writers Josh Heald , Jon Hurwitz , Hayden Schlossberg , Michael Jonathan , Mattea Greene , Bill Posley , Stacey Harman , Joe Piarulli , Bob Dearden Directors Jon Hurwitz Showrunner Jon Hurwitz Expand

After the explosive season 5 finale, Cobra Kai had to create tension and get the characters ready for the Sekai Taikai tournament. Part 1 bears most of the heavy lifting when it comes to bridging the gap between seasons, and that leaves it in an awkward position of being filler. There are some developments, but the spark is considerably dimmer in the first five episodes of Cobra Kai's final season.

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Cobra Kai Season 6: Part 1 Sets The Stage For An Epic Finale

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However, despite part 1's lack of action and story developments, it has plenty going for it. Johnny and Daniel have settled many of their differences and learned to work together, but there are fallouts and breakdowns in communication. Their relationship is also reflected by their students, who have their own rivalries and must learn to overcome their differences. And while season 6 needs this tension to push the story forward, Cobra Kai manages to deliver without feeling like the characters are moving backwards.

Part 1 bears most of the heavy lifting when it comes to bridging the gap between seasons, and that leaves it in an awkward position of being filler.

Taking the characters from a place where everything is settled and comfortable and putting them into a situation causing stress and anxiety is a necessity, and part 1 certainly manages to do that. However, it also feels like much of this could have been accomplished in just one or two episodes. What's been accomplished and how it's been done isn't bad, but it doesn't have the same intensity or high stakes as previous seasons.

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Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 1 Needs More Than Just Build-Up

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Cobra Kai thrives under pressure, with the characters in conflict and a villain who presents a very real threat to both the dojos and the safety of those involved. When Kreese or Silver entered the picture, the drama and the pressure for the heroes to train and win increased. Part 1 does little by way of establishing the villains of the final season, instead focusing on how characters cope with Silver finally being imprisoned and the Eagle Fang and Miyagi Do dojos joining together.

What's been accomplished and how it's been done isn't bad, but it doesn't have the same intensity or high stakes as previous seasons.

This ultimately leads to a real lack of tension and drama in part 1, which doesn't let the story and characters shine. Season 6 part 1 clearly sets the wheels in motion for the remaining two parts, but it's a shame that this segment fails to resonate as well as previous seasons. The actors performed well, and the story makes sense, but it doesn't need five episodes to make the few points it works toward.

The highlight of Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 comes in episode 5, when the buildup delivers in revealing the twist. Ending on a solid cliffhanger builds excitement for the rest of the season, while also highlighting how flat the rest of part 1 was. Cobra Kai's final season may be off to a rocky start, but it does feel as though the rest of the season will have some massive moments.

All five episodes of Cobra Kai Season 6: Part 1 are now available to stream on Netflix.