Cobra Kai Season Two: Did Our Predictions Happen?

Cobra Kai is my new Game of Thrones. The karate dramedy has just as many twists, turns, and jaw-dropping moments.

I watched the entire second season in one day. It's a darker season, and I LOVED it. I'll be thinking of  that crazy, terrible, dark ending until we get season three (which you can announce any minute now, YouTube!).

After I watched season one, I posted ten predictions for season two. I thought I'd revisit those predictions. Let's see how many I got right.

Note: I will be rewatching season two, of course, a second time (and probably a third and fourth. I'm not that obsessed, it's just THAT good). I'll come back and post new predictions for season three soon.

Also note: THE FOLLOWING CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR SEASON TWO.

I repeat-- SPOILERS AHEAD. Stop reading. Go watch the show. Come back after. 

My Original Ten Predictions for Season Two of Cobra Kai. Four of my ten predictions happened. Two or three can still happen (and I'm holding firm to a couple of those). So, overall, I'd say I did an okay job :)

1. Miguel trains with Kreese and leaves Johnny: DID NOT HAPPEN



And thank God. But there is a divide, and Sensei Kreese takes over a number of students. Miguel comes very close to slipping entirely into the dark side, but thanks to the excellent development of Johnny's character, Johnny's relationship with Miguel becomes stronger than ever.

Throughout season two, I kept predicting we'd have a big Hawk versus Miguel story. That happens just briefly, but then that ending comes. THAT ENDING. Oh, God. I won't tell you about it here. Even with spoiler warnings, I just can't write about it. Heartbreaking.


2. Johnny joins Miyagi-Do Karate: NOT YET!



I'm holding firm that this will happen. He may not become Daniel's student. But I see Daniel and Johnny working together before this series concludes. Johnny's evolution is too big and too great, and he needs the balance that Miyagi-Do offers. Spoiler, obviously (I've warned several times, but just don't want to get yelled at in the comments!): Johnny abandons Cobra Kai at the end. He won't abandon the martial arts. So where will he go? It may take another season or two, but I see Johnny and Daniel teaming up to defeat Kreese.

3. Sensei Kreese takes over Cobra Kai: IT HAPPENED!



YEP. At the end, Kreese has control of Cobra Kai, and as also predicted, Hawk will be his top student.




4. We will see a Johnny versus Kreese fight, and Johnny will lose: IT HAPPENED!

Not only did it happen, but it was the opening scene! And think how awesome the opening scene sets up the entire series AND that terrible ending.

"Showing mercy to an old man?"

Johnny shouldn't have done that. The show does a powerful job of showing, unfortunately, that showing mercy can get one hurt.

5. Samantha LaRusso gets back into karate with her father: IT HAPPENED!



Yep! Robby and Sam are his top students. Miyagi-Do continues to grow. But what will happen to Robby after that tragic ending to season two? I just don't know, and I won't be able to stop thinking about it until season three.

6. Terry Silver is revealed as Miguel's father: DID NOT HAPPEN

But still possible! Miguel's mom continues to talk about how bad Miguel's father was. This could be another epic moment later in the series.

7. Ali returns: IT KINDA SORTA HAPPENED!



The one happy cheer we have for the ending is that Ali returns a Facebook message Johnny sent her! This sets up a potential return, something fans are craving, no doubt. Come on, Elisabeth Shue! We want you back!

8. Robby gets seriously hurt: DO I HAVE TO ANSWER THIS?



I predicted someone would get seriously hurt, and I thought it would be Robby. I was half right.

I don't want to say any more. I just want to go cry in a corner!

9. The big rivalry will be Samantha versus Miguel: NOT SO MUCH

Yes, they are at odds all throughout, but there's hope for the two of them. As we saw in the trailers, Cobra Kai has a new badass woman of its own-- Tory. And Tory made one hell of a match for Samantha this season. Their story is far from over.


10. We will NOT get a Johnny versus Daniel rematch. But Daniel will fight: NO AND YES!

I didn't think we needed Johnny and Daniel fighting. I SO want them to be friends. Season two had a great moment (the Mexican dinner scene) just like season one (the car ride and drinks after). Those are some of my favorites. Unfortunately, it can never last. Daniel finds Samantha drunk and passed out at Johnny's, and it starts a quick fight. It's a jump-out-of-your-chair moment, and it was perfect. No fight-to-the-death. Just a good, legit squabble.

My other favorite scene: Daniel saving Robby on the beach! Every Karate Kid movie had a scene where Miyagi saved Daniel, and it was always a brilliant, adrenaline-rushing superhero moment. In season one, we got that with Johnny saving Miguel. This time, it was Daniel's turn to be the superhero. And it was perfect.

Season two gets another A+ from me, and it's possibly even better due to the greater progression of the characters, the (re)introduction of the ultimate villain, and the dark and disturbing actions that may lead to . . . the loss of a beloved character.

Thank you to the show's creators, actors, and YouTube for giving us one of the greatest shows of our time.

NOW, tell me. What did you think of season two? Any predictions you had that did or did not come true? Let me know in the comments!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joe Chianakas is a the author of Rabbit in Red, a popular horror trilogy. His next book, Darkness Calls, is represented by Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Follow Joe on Facebook or Twitter.

My New Agents and New Novel!

Writing is such an incredible journey. I don't like to view my writing career in terms of touchdowns or goals completed. I'm in this for the long haul, thanks to enthusiastic readers like you. Today, I want to tell you what's happening with my next big novel, DARKNESS CALLS.

I have been offered and have accepted literary representation from Patty Carothers and Amy Brewer of Metamorphosis Literary Agency!

Patty called me a couple weeks ago and we had THE TALK. I was immediately impressed. She had insights about my novel that no other agent had provided. She compared the creepy vibe of the book to Stephen King's IT (how could I not love her?)! But it wasn't all compliments. It was also a discussion of areas within the book that could be improved.

That's what I'm looking for. I could have self-published any time and relied on the readers and success of Rabbit in Red. But I'm not interested in publishing just any old book. I'm interested in writing the best book I can and taking it to new heights.

What's DARKNESS CALLS about? I'd like to save the official synopsis and back-of-the-book blurbs for a later date. We'll have lots of exciting things to share in the future. What I will tell you is this: there are monsters, there is death, and there is true horror. This is ultimately about life and death, and how we experience tragedy (can we find our light within the darkness?). It's easily one of the most meaningful books I've written. The first draft was written during the last year of my mom's life. Subsequent drafts took place after she passed. Is the Darkness a metaphor for the cancer that took her? It's not that simple. But sure, the Darkness takes the people we love, and some very special people will be called to face it.

It's the coolest thing I've ever written, and I can't wait to share it with you. But be patient. I will work with my agents to do another round of edits, and then we shop it around to publishers (probably this summer). In the meantime, I hope you'll continue to follow me. I'll give you updates, but I'll also be sharing what I learn about this process-- tips for other authors, my favorite reads, and more.

And, of course, I'll never forget about Rabbit in Red. The trilogy holds a special place in my heart. For my readers, I hope you'll look forward to Darkness Calls. Plus, don't forget one of my short stories from Nightmares under the Moonlight is currently being made into a short film! That's going to be a lot of fun, and I'll certainly post updates about that, too.

Thanks for following the rabbit with me. Now, let's explore the Darkness.



:)

- Joe

LINKS TO FOLLOW, IF YOU WOULD BE SO COOL:

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*****

ALSO, and I know this is going to sound like an acknowledgements section, but I don't care. A lot of great people have helped the book get this far, and I owe a thank you.

The first reading group consisted of Brian McWilliams, Brandy Kennington, and Rachel Hollis. 

After its first big revision, I reached out to some Rabbit in Red fans and other friends/readers. Thanks go to Cari Corbin, Jennifer Flaig, Kristen Kelly, Spencer Mullikin, Valerie Robert, and Katie Jackson. 

I then took the manuscript to my editor, Kathy Calore Teel in spring 2018. She’s exceptionally talented, and I can’t thank her enough.

Thank you to local journalist Elise Zwicky has always been exceptional at catching my typos. 

Last but certainly not least, my amazing friend and colleague, Tracy Walper, worked with me on the story's writing style. We rewrote section after section, and she's got one of the best eyes in the business, that's for sure.

Don't stray too far, friends. I've got some more work to do :)