(Note that the language and violence are mature in this series, making it more R-rated than the PG-rated Karate Kid movies ever were.)
What sells it, ultimately, are some winning performances by William Zabka and Ralph Macchio in roles that made them worldwide sensations.
Also, having Macchio casually drop lines that reference back to the Karate Kid movies — like “I was pushed off a cliff on my bike!” or “My mom drove me on dates!”
Zabka embraces every seedy, sleazy layer of Johnny, making him the “Ace Degenerate” that serves as the title of the debut episode.
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Cobra Kai Ep 1 - “Ace Degenerate” - The Karate Kid Saga Continues