Let's Talk - Cobra Kai

Cobra Kai - S03E02 - Nature vs. Nurture

January 13, 2021 Just Curious Media Episode 43
Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai - S03E02 - Nature vs. Nurture
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Show Notes Transcript

Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
Episode 43: Cobra Kai - S03E02 - Nature vs. Nurture

Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez break down Season 03 - Episode 02 (Nature vs. Nurture) of the Cobra Kai series and much more.

Synopsis: Daniel and Johnny team up to find Robby. Miguel faces an uncertain future. Kreese tries to bring Tory back to Cobra Kai.

Original Episode: S03E02

Recorded: 01-08-21
Studio: Just Curious Media
https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

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Jason Connell:

Welcome to Just curious media. This is let's talk Cobra Kai. I'm Jason Connell.

Sal Rodriguez:

And I'm Sal Rodriguez.

Jason Connell:

All right, Sal, here we are back for episode two of season three.

Sal Rodriguez:

I don't know if I've ever been more pumped for an episode as I am today. Yeah, because I feel like we're back in the swing of things.

Jason Connell:

We really are. We've knocked out episode one. And now we're moving on and this episode is entitled nature versus nurture. Very fitting title, I would say

Sal Rodriguez:

very much so because it gets you thinking about a person's nurturing how they were nurtured. Or maybe not maybe not nurtured. Nurture. Yeah, exactly. Because nurtured nurture is like a positive word. You know? So yeah, some people were not really nurtured. They were just natured.

Jason Connell:

Yes, indeed. So like all episodes this season. This episode came out on January 1 2021. And the rating sound he guesses the IMDb Rating.

Sal Rodriguez:

I think the first episode gave us an 8.3 rating. So I'm gonna guess a point five.

Jason Connell:

Nailed it.

Sal Rodriguez:

Nice. What do I when

Jason Connell:

you get to be a co host on the podcast? Yeah, did it. And the synopsis for this episode is Daniel and Johnny team up to find Robbie Miguel faces an uncertain future crease tries to bring Tory back to Cobra Kai.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And I think one of the reasons I'm so excited about this episode is because we go places in this episode, we have never gone in the Cobra Kai Karate Kid universe.

Jason Connell:

That's so true. It's a really good point. And this is just proof that the creators are handling this product this franchise in the most beautiful and most thoughtful way they're doing things that US fans want them to do. And yeah, I was floored by where we go right out of the gate.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes, I'm floored. And I'm double floored because we're going to have a little gift. You know, last episode, I talked about how the creators give us these gifts, that give us these these wonderful treats that we can sink our teeth into. And this episode starts that right off the bat. It does.

Jason Connell:

And here we go Sal, through our scene by scene breakdown of the episode. So we open in the San Fernando Valley circa 1965. So

Sal Rodriguez:

yeah, not much ahead of when my parents met.

Jason Connell:

Wow. And we're at a diner, and perhaps it's Smithies. I'm not sure where we would visit an earlier seasons. favorite spot of since a crease. There's a varsity captain football player named David. Play by none other than Jessi Combs. Whoa. Yes, indeed. That is one Martin coves son.

Sal Rodriguez:

Very interesting. Very interesting. Not only interesting that that's his son, but the role that he's playing. Yeah, because I mean, I'll bully Well, no, I mean, as opposed to please, not playing.

Jason Connell:

Exactly. He's joined by Betsy played by Emily Marie Palmer, and then there's another friend they're kind of a sidekick, if you will, and I am kind of shocked what you just alluded to, because we quickly meet another character, one busboy at said diner and immediately so I thought that David was young crease because I kind of knew that we're probably doing a flashback to crease his life and not something with Daniel or Mr. Miyagi even but I really thought that David was young crease until the scene begins to unfold.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, let's pause for a moment if we could Jason a couple things which I think are huge. First of all, the song playing Oh yeah. Willie bully bully bu ll y. Hello says it all. And that was recorded by Sam the sham and the pharaohs in 1965. And hello, Jason. The car that they drove up in

Jason Connell:

Oh, yeah, the car janky please elaborate on the make and model sound.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, when I talk about gifts from Cobra Kai, this is exactly what I'm talking about. They drive up in the 1948 Ford Super Deluxe. This is Miyagi his car. I mean, I don't know if we're led to believe as the viewer that that is literally Miyagi his car that will end up in his hands later, I suppose. Or that's just it just looks like a coincidence. Yeah, but that's the 1948 Ford Super Deluxe yellow mint condition that is it.

Jason Connell:

more super deluxe than Greece lightning more because I

Sal Rodriguez:

think the other one in Greece. Lightning is just a deluxe. It's not a super deluxe. Exactly. But this guy right off the bat. Okay, first of all, we don't know who these people are. No, you don't know who they are. But one thing that the driver when he gets out, what does he do? He criticizes this beautiful car. He calls it a piece of shit. So right away, I'm like, Screw this guy.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. Which is why I thought immediately is this young crease this case such a prick such a hard as. And he's got an attitude and I thought, oh my god, he was always that way but no, Sal, it's not to be. Because as we meet this busboy played by Barrett Carnahan, we quickly realized that there's a tender side to a younger crease.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, and I do think it's pretty funny that the boss calls him Chris. Yeah, exactly. He calls the bus. No, no. Well, because if he just yelled out, John, the viewer might be thinking, well, who the hell is that? You may not put put it together. So he calls him crazy. It had to be done, but I just thought that was hilarious. I imagine Mel's diner. Imagine Mel calling his waitresses by their last name.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, it's pretty funny. So this same kind of unfolds, there's a army recruiter that comes by the table. And David, you know, acts like a nice guy then wads up the pamphlet he's given him and throws it on the floor, because he's just he's too cool for school. So he's making some football references and even mentions the fact that you don't show another team mercy. That's why immediately I thought, that's gotta be him. But then the busboy comes over, he's a nice kid. And what happens now?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, the guy sitting there in a letterman jacket, what are you looking at loser? And then the friend says, he's the one whose mom killed herself. Oh, and then they say, He's a freak. Now, let me just say this, particularly for the younger listeners. The word freak has gone through a metamorphosis over the years. In this era 1965 you call someone a freak. That was an insult that's leftover from the days of yesteryear, when they would have freak shows on the side of circuses, and you had these human oddities and deformed people who were called freaks. Later on when I was young, the word freak after Rick James Super Freak, it almost becomes almost a compliment. But in that era, calling someone a freak, incredible insult.

Jason Connell:

So then he trips him later cell and young crease wipes out embarrassing, very reminiscent of a scene out of Back to the Future. Yes. Then this leads to what Sal? Well,

Sal Rodriguez:

first of all, I can't believe these people in this diner are laughing at somebody led to a horrible fall with a bus terminal. And people are laughing, horrible people eating at this diner. But we hear a voiceover from crees modern day present. Crees life isn't always fair. Sometimes the world can be cruel. And that's why you have to learn to be cruel yourselves.

Jason Connell:

Exactly. And now we're at the cobra, Kai dojo, and Chris is addressing the students. And he's basically saying, Hey, what happened at the high school was unfortunate, but we're going to get stronger and we're going to strike back. Yeah,

Sal Rodriguez:

this is one of those kind of reminiscent of when a general addresses the troops who are about to head into battle, sort of a motivational type of speech, sort of pattern type of speech. That's what he's delivering here. He's getting his troops ready.

Jason Connell:

And it's a quick thing because now we're at the hospital and Carmen's talking to Miguel, and I liked the fact that she mentions his pal friend Dimitri gave him something.

Sal Rodriguez:

He says, the plastic isn't UV resistant, so don't leave it by a window.

Jason Connell:

Only Dimitri. So funny,

Sal Rodriguez:

worth mentioning. And that basket from the LORUSSO. So the Russos have sent a gift basket to Miguel

Jason Connell:

de la Russo's care about Miguel they obviously bonded with Carmen. So it's very fitting that they would send something over.

Sal Rodriguez:

And then Miguel asks, Where sensei. Yeah, well,

Jason Connell:

Carmen has banned him currently. But we'll get to that. So now we see Daniel and Johnny driving. And they're looking for Robbie and Sal, Johnny's a mess.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, and I liked that Daniel offers him a green drink. One of those green machine types juicers Yeah, I love those. But God, no, he doesn't like it. Because remember, Johnny loves to eat pizza from the convenience market, right? Oh, yeah. So green drink too healthy.

Jason Connell:

And he tries to play the radio and some rock music comes on. And Daniel quickly dismisses it. So it's just always fun to see these two together, which we'll talk about more because Moses episode they are together, which I love. So they're driving along South and they come across one Malibu Canyon Recovery Center.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, I think this is patterned after the famous passages in Malibu passages is a famous high high end Recovery Center in the hills of Malibu, beautiful scenery, you know, beautiful Pacific Ocean View. I think this is patterned after that. They pull up people are doing yoga outside. There's a guy with a paintbrush and a canvas painting. So this is a very special serene place for your personal introspection, and growth and recovery from drugs and alcohol or whatever. I guess

Jason Connell:

it's actually Beautiful, very idyllic, beautifully landscaped and yeah, as they're walking in, you can tell Johnny a little fish out of water here, and so much Sal that they want to check him in, or at least someone thinks that he's there to check in, which is hilarious. So that

Sal Rodriguez:

was hilarious. The lady assumes that Daniel is checking in Johnny, you know, because Johnny's all beaten up. He's got a yes, a battered face. She says to him, you're doing a very brave thing. And I like Johnny says, I'm not checking in. I'm no quitter. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

exactly. I'm no quitter. That's hilarious. And then Johnny goes on to say, laugh it up, LORUSSO. And they mosey along because we don't even know why we're here yet. I'm not sure what you were thinking. I had totally forgot about this character to be completely honest with you. And as we go outside, we meet home so

Sal Rodriguez:

I was completely thrown off by this. I had no idea. Shannon Robbie's mother. This is the place Daniel sent Robbie's mother for her recovery. Remember, he agreed to to pay for that he's gonna help out with a recovery.

Jason Connell:

And not just rob his mother, but Johnny's ex. And season one Sal, she was a complete mess. And it's really great to see her have redemption as well. And that the Russos are flipping the bill.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And she was surprised to see Johnny and Daniel together. And Johnny says, whatever it takes to find our son. True,

Jason Connell:

but I also love the trachea Saurus for our friends as well as the I know when you're faking it, hilarious.

Sal Rodriguez:

I'm thinking that might have been a Simpsons reference.

Jason Connell:

It could have been I don't know, in my mind, I just was thinking it was a major Monster Truck Show and titled Chuck Norris and Johnny drag Shan into but it could have been Simpsons related. I'm not entirely sure. But I love it. He says, No, you were having fun, weren't you? And she's like I was faking it. And then he goes on to say no, I know when you're faking it that kind of went over everyone's head. I'm not even sure if Daniel got that or laughed. But I thought that was pretty funny.

Sal Rodriguez:

I think that Daniel got it. That's why he interrupts he says we need to know where Robbie may have gone with the car. You know, I'm the best. I think that he tried to interrupt. Whatever was going on there.

Jason Connell:

Okay, really funny. Again, Johnny gets all the good lines. And that's hilarious. So then Shannon does mention these dumb whites. And what does she call themselves?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, she tries to describe them. She says one looks like Chris Brown, which I've always thought the other looks vaguely Latin. That's what she says so funny. And as a as someone who looks vaguely Latin, I would agree. He looks vaguely Latin.

Jason Connell:

So then Johnny goes on to say what so

Sal Rodriguez:

we're we're gonna find Tweedledee and Tweedledum. S. I love it.

Jason Connell:

But Daniel knows because he knows these characters, because now he's fought them.

Sal Rodriguez:

I totally forgot about when he kicked their ass on the beach. I completely forgot about that. Yeah, it

Jason Connell:

kind of saved Robbie. Yes, they had a third guy with them at the time. A bigger guy. Yeah, a great fight sequence. And he has bested them, and we'll get back to them shortly. So now we're back at the cobra, Kai dojo and crease introduces a mouse.

Sal Rodriguez:

Chris says class you were tired today. So before you're dismissed, I have a little treat for you. I want to introduce you to a friend of mine. And he holds up this beautiful little white mouse.

Jason Connell:

Little white mouse indeed. And he has Bert come up and name the mouse.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes, Bert named him Clarence, which I think is a cute name.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I like that too.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, Hawk wanted to name him Hawk Jr.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, of course hog Jr. So Bert wants to feed Clarence lunch. It's lunchtime. This what Chris had just mentioned. However, Chris has a different idea.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, Burt says can I feed him? creases? No. He yanks open the curtain or blanket covering this tank, revealing a snake inside? And he says no, but you can feed him. So we know where this is good.

Jason Connell:

Not good. One Clarence will be lunch for this cobra.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, cuz Bert asked, What does he like to eat? Curry says he likes to eat. Clarence.

Jason Connell:

So now so this is sad news for us. Because Burt's unwillingness to feed Clarence to the Cobra gets him what?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, what we don't know is that this was a test. And obviously Bert has failed the test. But Chris says it like this. Oh, you don't want to feed them? That's okay. I understand. Clarence is your friend. It's okay to object. Who else objects and a few other guys raise their hand. Several students. He yells out you're off the team get out and Burt's like but it creases like I said get out and then I could have sworn it out of the

Jason Connell:

kit. So I cannot believe this out that Bert has been kicked out of Cobra Kai. Yeah,

Sal Rodriguez:

I was very sad to see this. When I saw Burke get kicked out of Cobra Kai. Every negative emotion went through my head. I was very disappointed, sad and angry to see this. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

me too. So then we cut to crease and he's in his office. This cutting a cigar and Hawk enters and what is he say South

Sal Rodriguez:

Korea says you sad to see your little friends go. And Hawk answer's no sensei. And obviously Hawk wants to talk about something. So Chris is like, go ahead and speak freely, son. And then Hawk asked, Is this the time to make cuts? We're already down students after the fight, and then crease it. Very interesting answer. This is addition by subtraction.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, that's an interesting philosophy. And I've heard that before and I get it you shave the week, or at least the week in his mind.

Sal Rodriguez:

And how about this throwback right here? Do you have a problem with that? Where do we know that line from 1984? All Valley?

Jason Connell:

Oh, yeah, a very creased like thing to say no sensei. So this leads to him also sharing the fact that he needs a new champion with Miguel out because obviously he's not making a comeback anytime soon. He needs a new champion for all Valley, one that shows no fear, and no mercy.

Sal Rodriguez:

And you see what a phenomenal manipulator crease is how he is the best crease invented flip the script because Hawk went in there with a concern and what a crease do flip it around. Now all of a sudden he appeals to hawks ego, and now, Hawk has a grin on his face.

Jason Connell:

Maybe I can be the new champion. So now we're at Tori's apartment. So I don't think we've ever been here before.

Sal Rodriguez:

No, but it is a very receita esque looking apartment, not just receita. Valley. This apartment does look like it's out of the valley.

Jason Connell:

It definitely fits in line with the South Seas or the receita apartments where John and Miguel live. It fits right in there. And she's making a meal for her mother. And we see her brother. So we're learning a lot about Tori right away.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, it's kind of a sad sight though, because she gives the sandwich to her brother. He walks into the bedroom. We don't even see the mother yet. We just see her hands except the plate. And then if you look carefully, you see the IV stand there. So you know her mother is there. In bed? Ill, right.

Jason Connell:

So then she takes the trash outside sow and she runs into one. Super douchebag slumlord manager.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And he's the type of character where like, after 30 seconds, you're like, This guy needs to have his ass kicked. And that's definitely who he is. Because Tory walks up to him. Hey, you haven't fixed the leak yet. So we know that he's some sort of at least a maintenance man, possibly a manager possibly landlord, somebody who's there supposed to be helpful. And instead he says, You haven't paid the Rep. See how that works. So he's a smartass.

Jason Connell:

Yes. And we also learned that Tory's mother's on dialysis to be exact, because he mentions diabetes, and she corrects him. And this scene just begins to escalate.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, he says, it's not my job to keep track of your excuses. It's my job to cash rent checks. If I can't do my job, you can't live here. And

Jason Connell:

so he continues to hit on her and he mentions that he could call her probation officer and he's expecting a date. I mean, this guy is scum of the earth. So

Sal Rodriguez:

well, let's be absolutely clear. Tori is indeed a minor. Yeah, so this is what appears to be an adult. He is hitting on a minor right in front of us.

Jason Connell:

Not just hitting on her, he's extorting her. He even mentions, hey, at that fight, I should have had some mud on an inflatable tub. I could have sold tickets like this guy is just too much. Yeah. And we know Sal, we know that Tori is a badass. So as this begins to play out,

Sal Rodriguez:

what happens? So he refers to Robbie and Miguel as boys. And he says, See, now if you had a man instead of a boy, maybe things would be easier for you. You wouldn't have to worry about rent. So he is pretty much telling her you know, do me favors and I'll do you favors. But Tory puts them in an arm lock, and she threatens to break his arm. But he threatens to contact our probation officer. So she lets them go. She doesn't want to get arrested. And then he says, this is where it's completely crossed the line at this point for me. Maybe I'll see you tonight. But if I don't I bet to see you with a check on the first. So come to my place tonight. Or you better have a check on the first I mean now this guy he deserves whatever is coming to him.

Jason Connell:

So now Daniel and Johnny are visiting prisons. I have a question for you because some of the other inmates as they're outside in this little courtyard area. I see the initials F S P on some of their orange jumpsuits, and I would think that stands for Folsom State Prison.

Sal Rodriguez:

I would imagine so but is that in California? It is in California. Yes, it is.

Jason Connell:

It's a long way away from where this show is supposed to be taking but Okay,

Sal Rodriguez:

so here's what I think that they did here. They merged Folsom State Prison, which may Famous by Johnny Cash, of course, with either the LA men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, or something called Wayside on a ranch, I think it's called way out into hatchapee. Those are the only three major lockup facilities in this region. So I think they kind of merged a couple of them is what they did.

Jason Connell:

Okay? Because if they wouldn't make this drive, it will be like a 678 hour drive just to go to this prison and see these guys. So yeah, that makes sense. Okay, I'll go with that. So, here they come one tray and cruise and sell. This is

Sal Rodriguez:

hilarious. Yeah. Well, I like how Johnny says, worse than rehab nicer than jail. So this is maybe yes, I'm sort of in between place, like some sort of detention facility like not, it's not the big house, right. But it's not the local police station. So sort of a purgatory of imprisonment. Yeah. So Daniel says, let me do all the talking right. He wants to handle this. The officer then brings Trey and crews over he kind of plunk them down to sit with Daniel and Johnny. Yeah, crews yells over at the officer bitch as Kevin James punk. So he's making a reference to the guy kind of looks like Kevin James little bit almost a little slimmer, Kevin James. Daniel says we're looking for Robbie. This is when Trey starts to become a smartass. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

these guys have a lot of attitude. They've been in prison or jail or wherever this is. And they're giving Johnny zero respect.

Sal Rodriguez:

What I like how Johnny says, Start talking or you'll be drinking your toilet wine through a straw. Nice.

Jason Connell:

And then I do believe Cruz calls Johnny a punk ass bitch, of which Johnny does what?

Sal Rodriguez:

Johnny smacks the crap out of Cruz. I couldn't I did not see that coming.

Jason Connell:

And Kevin James acts like he didn't even say yes, because

Sal Rodriguez:

Trey's like, didn't you see that? And the guy's like, lol. Hello? Yeah. Okay, well, don't call a guard of Kevin James punk bitch. And maybe he'll be your friend about that.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. So immediately though, Daniel takes over, slams his hands on the table, and gets their attention. And Johnny is a little taken aback like what you have respect this guy. Because sow Daniel has kicked their butt.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes. And it wasn't until this very moment that I remembered that. I completely forgot about that. I was like, oh, yeah, kick their ass on the beach. Yes. Okay. But I completely forgot about like, why are they giving Daniel so much respect, but then I figured it up.

Jason Connell:

So Trey starts talking. And he references tech town, which if you recall, that's the place that Robbie put the shirt on and was doing the bad deeds and taking someone's computer, check town and Panorama City. So that's the clue. That's the area the hood they need to go visit? Well,

Sal Rodriguez:

I'll have you know, this, Jason, I'm very familiar with Panorama City, because I lived in Panorama City for a little while in my late teens. As matter of fact, they sort of have a grievance with Cobra Kai, as we will see in the next couple of scenes.

Jason Connell:

So I also want to mention that Johnny slugs cruise a second time.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And again, Kevin, James pays no attention.

Jason Connell:

And Cruz has a little bit of blood coming down. And this leads to a classic Johnny line on the way out.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, Johnny says, but it gets your friend here a tampon. Nice.

Jason Connell:

So now we're back at the hospital. And the doctor talks with Miguel as Carmen feeds him. So the doctors talking to Miguel checking him out, giving him a once over looking at his feet trying to poke his toes. And so this kind of leads you to believe what,

Sal Rodriguez:

while the doctor is trying to locate sensation, yeah, nerve endings, you know, he's trying to figure out what he can feel. So he knows that he can feel what we call the upper extremities, the arms, the fingers, worked his way down to the legs and feet. And unfortunately, Miguel doesn't feel anything at his feet. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

No, he doesn't. And so the doctor wants to talk to common alone outside and through the glass window. Miguel can see them. And Carmen begins to do what? Okay,

Sal Rodriguez:

this made me so angry. Why the hell is the doctor trying to have this private conversation with Carmen? Right in the right in Miguel's the stats or

Jason Connell:

the audience out, but no, they could have done it differently. But at least you got to see Miguel's reaction as well. But, but still what happens,

Sal Rodriguez:

Miguel, and us realize that the doctor just told Carmen, your son is not going to walk again. Our main have or may well look at her reaction. You know, it was a pretty huge reaction. Miguel reacted, we reacted to Miguel reacting. Oh, boy. Oh, not a good moment. Not a good moment at all. No.

Jason Connell:

So now Daniel and Johnny are back on the road. And Sal, I love how Johnny eats corn nuts. And his car and I know both you and I would absolutely hate that someone flipping them up in their mouth and maybe missing sometimes.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, you and I and Daniel Russo are all on the same page about eating in the car. But Daniel says, Oh, be careful with those things. I don't want to be digging them out of the carpet for the next five years. There's no way Daniel Russo of LORUSSO Auto Group is going to have this car five years from now that car is a lease.

Jason Connell:

So true. And I love how Johnny has no idea how a Bluetooth phone call works.

Sal Rodriguez:

I like that he starts talking into the steering wheel when Amanda calls. Yeah. And he's the passenger,

Jason Connell:

by the way. So he's leaning over like, yeah, and, and the thing is like now it's okay to sit back and talk normal. And then of course, this leads to my favorite line in the official trailer yet came out. Yeah. And that is when Amanda says what's out.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so Daniel says to Amanda, we got a new lead on Robbie, and Amanda goes a lead. What are you Tango and Cash. And Johnny says Tango and Cash. We're narcotics detectives. This is a totally different thing. And a man is like, Oh, I'm sorry. My mistake.

Jason Connell:

is really funny that are comebacks. Her her wit, very good. One of the funniest lines had I not already heard it on the trailer, I would have laughed even more but it was just so perfect, great writing. So now we're back at Tory's apartment, and she's counting monies out and then there's a knock on the door.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, she tells her little brother to get in the other room now that was interesting. What's going on? Yeah, what are they like hiding from a social worker? What's what's going on here could be

Jason Connell:

because the moms on dialysis and they can't let this young girl care for her brother. So yeah, could be could be that.

Sal Rodriguez:

Or how about Tory's dad whose story is down? We don't

Jason Connell:

know. But yeah, so maybe her dad is at the front door.

Sal Rodriguez:

You can tell a lot about a person by how they react when someone knocks on the door. She opens up the door. It's crease crease comes to visit Tori, what is this about?

Jason Connell:

I love that. She says How did you find me? And he's like, Well, I did recon and Nam and special forces training and 18 months of covert ops but your address was on your application.

Sal Rodriguez:

Nice. Nice. And you know what, that's a little bit of humor. You won't see that type of gentle humor. Almost

Jason Connell:

a little bit. But this leads to a very rare, I should say. softer side of crease coming out.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well Tory's in a bad place. She says she's not going back to the dojo creases. Why is that? She says community service hours probation trying to get my GED taking care of my little brother and mom, I have rent to pay life is kind of kicking my ass right now. And that's when Chris says you can always kick back. And she says that's what got me into this mess.

Jason Connell:

And he also shares about his mother and ask about her mother. And they have that kind of connection there.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, but no increases. We do we know this is a manipulative tactic.

Jason Connell:

But there is some truth to it. Okay, John, the 1965 flash, but that's

Sal Rodriguez:

true. There is some truth to it. I don't doubt that Chris has some pain, but he's using his own pain to connect with Tori's pain to fulfill his own agenda.

Jason Connell:

So he's recruiting her plain and simple because guess what? She could be the replacement for Miguel. She's championship caliber more than hockey is.

Sal Rodriguez:

I probably agree with that. I think she's a little more mature than hawk. So yeah, I think she's probably more mentally fit.

Jason Connell:

So now we're back to 1965. And young crease sees David slap, Betsy. Yeah. This is absolutely appalling. And I love that young crease steps up.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, yeah. David says to Betsy, you got more attitude than you do sense that he's like, let go of me. He says Don't ever let me catch you making eyes like that again. So I think that he's basically assaulting her because he thinks she was flirting with Chris the busboy?

Jason Connell:

Yep. And then David goes on to call young Chris's mother nuts. Yeah. Which is not good

Sal Rodriguez:

sound. Yeah, because he says, You think you've got a shot? You're nuts. But I guess that runs in the family, doesn't it? Oh,

Jason Connell:

yeah. So Sal, this leads to a 1965 showed.

Sal Rodriguez:

I love it. They have the old fashioned trash cans. I missed those old fashioned stainless steel trash cans and I love I don't mean love but I mean it was cool to see crease get thrown into these trash cans. But I was so shocked to see Chris perform the way that he did. But Chris starts to fight to guys. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

And he doesn't know martial arts yet as far as we know. So he's just fighting these guys. He's got an inner strength because let's be clear, David's a much bigger man. He outweighs him by at least what? 1520 pounds. And I

Sal Rodriguez:

think you always run the risk when you fight a football player of getting tackled. So be careful. You got to keep your distance.

Jason Connell:

But as the fight goes on, Chris takes his legs but he also overcomes

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, but of course David pokes him. Gets him down to the ground. You scared freak kicks crease in the ribs. Let me tell you something. You I don't know if any of you Listening had been punched in the face. I have. I would rather be punched in the face than kicked in the ribs. But

Jason Connell:

he overcomes he takes out the sidekick guy who isn't that big of a threat. And he best David knocks him out cold.

Sal Rodriguez:

I like how he tripped him because he had them. Yeah, facing the other direction. He had his back leg. He pulled it kind of pulling the rug out from under him. Really liked off back. I liked that.

Jason Connell:

And then that leads to Betsy looks at young crease. Sir hero, if you will.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, Betsy comes over. Are you okay? creases? Yeah, I've had worse. Need a lift?

Jason Connell:

Yeah. Okay. He's in there. So now Tango and Cash get gas. And we learned that Johnny likes gas station food.

Sal Rodriguez:

Can I just give a shout out to our producers for their transition. The last scene ends with Anita lift. This scene opens at the gas station on the handle says lift. Anybody catch that? Who caught that?

Jason Connell:

Their transitions are flawless. And let me just also say that I love the homage to vacation. When chevy chase his character says I'm so hungry. I could eat a sandwich from a gas station rice. I always love that line. And then here's Johnny saying yeah, I love gas station food. So good. Well done, folks.

Sal Rodriguez:

I was trying to figure out what that even was that Johnny was eating like a to keto. Yes. I was thinking a Turo, but at the Keto I bet you it was at the Keto. Because at first I thought a slice of pizza it was not hot dog. It was not. It was either a churro or to keto, I think more likely to keto. Yes. Now Daniel mentions tech town is just down the block. Yep. Remember tech town is in Panorama City. Your old stomping? Exactly. So for tech town to be just down the block? Where would they have to be? Well, they would have to be in Van eyes, they would have to be in Sherman Oaks. They'd have to be a requirement. They have to be in North Hills. There are all these areas that are down the block from Panorama City if not exactly Panorama City, and this is where my grievance will unfold in a few moments.

Jason Connell:

So then Daniel gets a text message from Amanda.

Sal Rodriguez:

It says good news. Miguel's out of the coma. Please tell Johnny,

Jason Connell:

although I think that would have been a phone call, but still a good message to send. And Sal, I have to mention this because this is just one of the things I like to do.

Sal Rodriguez:

Let me guess let me guess You saw the date on the phone.

Jason Connell:

I did see the date on the phone. Well, there it is for me and everyone else to see. And it is Tuesday, September 11. A very historic day in our country's history. But that's not even what I want to point out. What I want to point out is this now, the last time September 11, fell on a Tuesday was 2018. Now we know that they probably shot this in 2019, knowing it was going to come out in 2020. However, it didn't come out till 2021 because of whatever reason. But why would you have chosen that date?

Sal Rodriguez:

If I'm not mistaken. September 11 2001. was on a Tuesday.

Jason Connell:

I think September 11 2001. was on a Tuesday, if you're doing an homage to that. Okay, but I probably would have just chosen the date that you want this episode to fall in. I II, Thursday, September 11 2020.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, but that's just what I think if I were going to do a September 11 homage. I mean, I wouldn't even make it any other day but Tuesday or I wouldn't do this September. I wouldn't make it September 11. I would have made September 10 or September 12. What would be the point of making September 11. Unless it's going to be a direct Tomash

Jason Connell:

that's what I'm saying. I think historically this franchise picks dates arbitrary. Backup that's what I'm saying. They don't match up most

Sal Rodriguez:

of the dammit we're trying to find meaning. Yes.

Jason Connell:

So then Sal out of nowhere while they're at the gas pump still. One Dodge Caravan comes rolling up.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes. And for those playing along with a low Russo Auto Group dealer plate on it. I mean, so that cannot be missed. Because at first Daniels like is that a Dodge Caravan? Yeah, your name is on the back of Come on, dude.

Jason Connell:

So good. And this leads to a great chasing. And I love how Johnny jumps on the driver side.

Sal Rodriguez:

He just jumps in. He just jumps in. And Daniel just has to go along for the ride.

Jason Connell:

And of course since Johnny's driving, we hear Motley Crue kickstart my heart fire up which is great sound. And then

Sal Rodriguez:

as soon as they take off, corn nuts started flying all over Daniel's face. So

Jason Connell:

now we arrive and I'm assuming that you're going to take issue with this but we're at a chop shop and Panorama City.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so let's back up a little bit. Okay. We all know this universe is in or near the San Fernando Valley there on the way to Panorama City. So at the gas station, which is supposedly just down the street, what Where the hell are they as soon as they're at this gas station? I said that is not Los Angeles. That is not Los Angeles probably. Okay, so but you They did not even try to make it look like Los Angeles. There was some street signs they pass which definitely were not LA. But then I freeze framed on Brickhouse styles, hair salon, and I googled it located at 1352. Sylvan Road, Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia. They've given us so much to make us think we were still in the valley. Now they don't even care.

Jason Connell:

They have definitely had a few moments like this. I agree with you. And you and I are purist and we prefer everything to take place in Los Angeles, or the Los Angeles area, including one San Fernando Valley, but I understand I feel your paints.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well if you remember the last episode, how much they made it look like Los Angeles by adding garbage to the scene. Yeah, just bring in the garden in the garbage truck. So come on, man. Just you know, if you're gonna make me think I'm in the Valley at least make it look like the valley. That's all I'm saying.

Jason Connell:

So now we're at the chop shop and Johnny and Daniel go into action.

Sal Rodriguez:

This reminded me so much of Larry David and JB smooth right here at this moment because Johnny says look alive. We got to proceed on foot. And Daniel's like on foot. What No, no foot imagine that as JB smooth look alive. We got to proceed on foot Larry. On foot. What What? No, no foot. Exactly. That was exactly the so good.

Jason Connell:

And they go into this garage and as they enter the garage are talking about we got to call the police and so all the guys on the inside and of course they're all like these tough looking guys, including the guy that ran out of the van in the first place. And they're outnumbered and one guy has even got a chain Sal he's holding at chain.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes. And these guys are greasy. These would be called grease monkeys in years past. These are unsavory characters for sure.

Jason Connell:

And one is a huge man. Yes. Looks like a WWE fight.

Sal Rodriguez:

He does. He almost looks like John Cena style of body just like big like a big dude.

Jason Connell:

Yes. But this leads to a great fight sequence.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes. And one of the scenes that was featured in the official Season Three trailer. Yeah, here they are fighting in this Chop Shop garage, phenomenal scene in his greasy dumpy garage.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. And it's great. There's lots of back and forth, Daniel and Johnny go into action. It kind of reminds me of Double Dragon. They came across all these characters, and they've got to fight their way out of there. And I love seeing them on the same side of things. And this is like the first time we've seen them in a fight together. Which is amazing.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes, this is the first time we've ever seen Johnny Lawrence and Daniel Russo fighting on the same side.

Jason Connell:

And this culminates to this wonderful sequence which is also in the trailer, of course. But it is Johnny on one side, Daniel on the other of the big guy that I just mentioned. And Johnny goes with a spinning Leg Sweep. not unsurprising. Sal, known for his Leg Sweep, sweep the leg. Yes, indeed. And Daniel goes for a spinning back hill, and they do it simultaneously. So the guy's getting knocked down off balance, and his heads getting hit. And they knock him out, which is just a fantastic shot. Really great stunt work. Yeah, yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

Props to that stunt guy too, because he did sort of a, a twist in the air falling flat on his face.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, it was amazing. It really was. And then of course, the guy that led them to this job shop runs off and Johnny tackles him, and looks like he might really injure himself.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, Johnny is beating the crap out of this guy for you UFC fans, he is in full mount. He is on top of this guy. Might he might as well have rained down, elbows on the guy. And then he had to be stopped and restrained by Daniel And then Johnny and Daniel start fighting. And this guy. This guy's like, what the hell's going on here? So he realizes now it's his opportunity to make a run for it as Daniel and Johnny start fighting. And then

Jason Connell:

they finally stopped. They didn't really get a shot in but they were just mad and they're, you know, after a fight or after anything super competitive. The juices are flowing. The adrenaline's hot, he's pissed, Johnny that is because he just wants to know where Robbie is. And then of course, as they go outside, I like that Johnny then goes to the Dodge van. They're not going to ride together now after that fight. So John is gonna take the van Daniels in his car. But then Daniel says, What to Johnny?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, they both dig at each other here. They both are sticking each other's fingers in each other's tender wounds here. That's what's happening. Because Daniel says, I should have known better than to team up with a lunatic like you and Johnny says, You're the one that came to Mila Russo. And Daniel says, I can't believe you actually taught kids. And you know that that hurt Johnny. So then Johnny comes back with Oh, like you're some great teacher. Look what happened to Robbie. And you now Daniels hurting? So then he responds. Maybe he has a little too much of you in him. Oh, and you knows the blog. That was yeah, you You could see Johnny's reaction to that.

Jason Connell:

Point LORUSSO, that although that was so hard hitting that was tough. And I could tell it even hurt Daniel to say that. Yes, you

Sal Rodriguez:

because you saw Daniels reaction to Johnny's reaction.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, he's like, that's a little.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, maybe I would have been too far.

Jason Connell:

I do like robbing Johnny's not so bad. And but yeah, these two have a history. So now back at Torres apartment complex crease confronts the manager.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, well, he's in the laundry room, emptying quarters out of the laundry machine. And crease arrives. I'd like to speak with you about Tori Nichols. And this landlord. I mean, so far, he has zero redeeming qualities. He's just a smart ass, asshole with a bad attitude. He says, look old man. I don't know you. But if you care about her well being you can pay her rent. Or, I mean, really? Who does this? He says, or she can do something else to get in my good graces. Really? He says that to this guy.

Jason Connell:

And he kind of gives me her father for all he Yes, I mean, this guy come on, and then he sort of

Sal Rodriguez:

taps crease on the stomach like haha. And then Chris gets them in an arm lock whips out that cigar cutter. And he has this guy's finger inside that cigar cutter, ready to chop off the end of his finger.

Jason Connell:

This guy this manager has been bested twice in one afternoon. So for all of his talk and his gruff, he's kind of a wuss.

Sal Rodriguez:

But look at this. Look how Cobra Kai plays with our minds. because who are we rooting for in this scene? Holy cow. We are rooting for crease. What happened to us.

Jason Connell:

And this leads to a another one of these great transition sounds from the cigar cutter to Miguel cutting a hot dog at the hospital.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, wonderful transition. By the way, it's super great. I'm going to start keeping an eye out a better eye out for these transitions, because I probably missed a lot. But now I'm going to start paying attention.

Jason Connell:

So now Johnny arrives at the hospital. And so this is a really touching but yet sad scene.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, yeah. Because this would appear to be the finality of their relationship right here in this hospital room. Because by the looks of things, if you just look at the scene alone looks like it could be the end of their relationship, both as Sensei, and as friends because yeah, Miguel says, The doctor told my mom, I might not walk again. And God says no, they don't know that. They don't know how strong you are. Miguel says I did what you taught me. I showed mercy. Why did this happen to me? God says, I don't know. The girl says you don't know. I trusted you. I did everything you told me. Johnny tries to talk Miguel. Miguel says Look at me. He starts crying. Get out of here. Please. Leave. He kicks Johnny out of his

Jason Connell:

room. Yeah, Miguel is sad. He's crying. He doesn't have any answers. And he's taking it out on St. St. Lawrence. And he kicks him out of the room. And yes, we don't know. Is this the end of their relationship? At least for right now? It

Sal Rodriguez:

is. Well, that's where my mind goes. When you kick somebody out of the room. You're kicking them out of your life. That's kind of how I think. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

So now we're back at rehab. And Robbie talks to Shannon, which is great to see Mother Son reconnect here. We've not seen them together in a while. And then Daniel arrives. And Sal, this leads to what?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, as soon as Daniel arrives, Shannon excuses herself. Daniel sits down. And Robbie starts to apologize to Daniel. I'm sorry. You've been stuck trying to clean up my mess. Yeah. Well, that's nice of him to say, you know, hey, sorry. You know, he's apologizing. Robbie asks about Sam. Yeah, so he's showing concern, not just about himself. Daniel says she's worried about him. They all are his dad, too. So he gives a shout out to Johnny there. Now Daniel apologizes to Robbie. I know you blame yourself, but I let you down. What I said to you the last time we saw each other, that was terrible. I'm so sorry. So we have these two guys sincerely apologizing to each other. So a very sweet and tender moment? Yes, it is. Daniel says he spoke to a lawyer. So Daniel is trying to help Robbie get out of this situation.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, of course. He has his best interests at heart. You can't have a fugitive out there who gets caught because they will throw the book at you. So Daniel has put his plan in motion. And out of nowhere, here come two police officers. And immediately Robbie's on the defense and upset and he's pissed at Daniel.

Sal Rodriguez:

You know what, I don't see why you wouldn't be pissed at his mother too, because I think that she was in on this. She absolutely

Jason Connell:

was. But Daniel takes the brunt of it because Shannon's not in the picture right now. And he's holding him accountable and a little bit unjustified because he knows that he's in trouble. It wasn't Daniel that got him arrested. It was going to happen sooner or later. later, but he definitely points the finger and his anger at Daniel and probably Johnny for that matter to just Johnny's not there.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so how about this? Not so different from Miguel kicking Johnny out of his room. Daniel says to Robbie, I'll visit you every day. Robbie says, Don't bother.

Jason Connell:

Exactly. You knew that was coming. As soon as Daniel said that. I was like, he's gonna say this. And of course he does. Don't bother. Robbie's piste is in handcuffs. And he's taken off to jail. And now we're back at the Cobra Kai dojo and crease again addressing the students and sound out of nowhere who arrives.

Sal Rodriguez:

Crease begins this wonderful speech. We are one unit with one united purpose and in walks Torey in full gi back to be a member of Cobra Kai.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, we hear the bell on the door. And you know what store and you know, it was her coming in. I guess you could think it's someone else. But it's great. It's her. She's in our GI, she falls right in line. And now we're back in 1965. And crease is headed off to basic training. And he's saying goodbye to Betsy, ie Dollface, who is quite upset. And what is crease, say here.

Sal Rodriguez:

The outside of the bus has Monterey creases on his way to Presidio of Monterey army base. That's got to be where he's going. Betsy is crying. And he says he'll be coming back a hero.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I'll be coming back a hero. So this leads to a great voiceover sound of which Chris comes on. And I was thinking this is one of the longest dialogue scenes I've seen. But what he says is very poetic, and go ahead and do the honors.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, I definitely think he's taken a page from Shakespeare in something that that he says Shakespeare that famous quote, There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. So sort of a similar ideology here. Because priests addressing his students, your whole life, you've been told to be good, but good is only a matter of perspective. Always remember your enemies think they're doing what's right. They think they're the hero, and you're the villain. But now you know the truth. There is no good. There is no bad, only weak or strong. And now that we've shared our weakness, it's time to show our strength. If you can do that, I promise you, and he looks straight at the camera, you will be unstoppable. Holy cow. You know what this episode made me think? What if when all is said and done, and Cobra Kai is a memory. The whole universe was about crease.

Jason Connell:

You know, that makes me think of nature versus nurture.

Sal Rodriguez:

This episode, I love. I love that this

Jason Connell:

was great. And of course, that's the end game we get the big Cobra Kai logo, and we're out and what an episode. You can tell like after the first one picking up the pieces, we get Cobra Kai moving again. And this one just starts to go to the next level. We've seen a fight sequence with Johnny and Daniel on the same side and then at each other. We see crease taking control recruiting using his master manipulation skills. And we see a young crease and kind of see where this all came from. You know, he was bullied and he decided to step up. And there's more to come. There's much more to come.

Sal Rodriguez:

And I don't have to say this to the listeners who are fans of the show. But if you can show us a young crease, you can possibly show us a young Miyagi.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I think in the same thing, my friend. Let's help. Let's hope it happens. So thank you so much for listening and please be sure to subscribe to Let's Talk Cobra Kai or wherever you get your podcast. You can also really help us by giving the show a five star rating on Apple podcast.

Sal Rodriguez:

And for all you listeners that enjoy sharing your thoughts you can leave us a review on Apple podcasts. Send us a direct message or post a comment on our social media which is at let's talk Cobra Kai.

Jason Connell:

We also highly encourage checking out the let's talk movies, podcast and visiting just curious media.com

Sal Rodriguez:

No Mercy

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