Of all of the crazy & awesome films from the 1980s, who would have thought that “The Karate Kid” would spawn a TV continuation years later that would become a pop culture phenomenon? That’s not to say that “The Karate Kid” is by any means bad. While it had a familiar sports story, it integrated in themes of Eastern Philosophy and had a uniquely engaging mentor character that helped the film stand out. And it was popular enough to get 3 film sequels. But how do you continue a film series when the one character to appear in all films – Mr. Miyagi portrayed by Pat Morita – can no longer be used? The answer is simple. Make it about the villains.

Decades after the events of the original film, Johnny Lawrence – played by William Zabka – is barely getting by in life. Just got fired from his job, hasn’t seen his son in who knows how long, barely keeping everything together. One day his car gets wrecked and he ends up at one of many dealerships own by rival Daniel LaRusso. This sparks a fire inside Johnny that pushed him to reopen the dojo he used to train at, Cobra Kai. He gets the anger and attention of LaRusso, but with the help of his first student Miguel, Johnny brings back his dojo and the lessons taught him as a child. And with them, the consequences they create.

While this show does show a redemption arc for Johnny, it’s themes go beyond that. Johnny is someone who remembers the past fondly, from his own perspective. The way he views the events of the original film is different from how Daniel recalls it. But the longer he dwells in the past – such as teaching the same lessons to his students taught to him – he begins to realize that not everything was exactly how he remembered it. He sees the growing anger and aggression in some of his students that turn them into the bullies he was helping them to fight back against. And when his old sensei John Kreese returns and Johnny accepts his offer to help train, he begins to fully realize that he needs real change. Not simply repeat the past.

And that is ultimately what the show explores. How nostalgia and wanting to recreate it only creates a cycle that can’t be broken. How if you try to only pull from what you know, you will only repeat the same mistakes over and over. The history of violence and aggression once taught to Johnny by John Kreese simply returns to a new generation. Once again creating an aura of violence and hostility in the community that thought they had moved past.

But there is a bright side to this exploration. Johnny does end up recognizing what is happening around him and tries to find a new way forward. Even working with Daniel LaRusso and learn some of his teachings. His bond with his first student Miguel also pushes him to grow into a better person. And while Terry Silver may be keen on keeping to Cobra Kai’s lessons, John Kreese is also seemingly experiencing a chain of heart as well. Characters that were once fully committed to Cobra Kai are now beginning to question themselves and start a journey of self discovery. These themes are surprisingly relevant, especially in a Hollywood culture that seems stuck on reviving past movies and shows. But Cobra Kai sets the standard of how to do a revival, mixing in old and new, while also teaching valuable life lessons in every episode.