I just finished binge watching Cobra Kai on Netflix and it was surprisingly good.
Barney Stinson (HIMYM) knew it from the start who was the real Karate KID. 😉

I really enjoyed the show and the best part is the way it flips the script, bringing the story of Cobra Kai told not from the perspective of the hero, Daniel, but from Johnny, the bully from the films. Showing that there are always two sides to a story and one might not be more correct than the other as you learn what else is part of the story. This show does a wonderful job of telling the story of the aftermath, consequences and how a person is never just, this, one thing. How the past does not have to be what defines a person and change is possible, yes finding it may take time and may not be easy but if the will is there, the possibility is there.
As the seasons progress a light is brought to Daniel’s story, showing how the events from his past have effected him. Also more characters from the previous Karate Kid films show up, these characters stories show the audiences that there are elements from their pasts that effect their personality’s and that they are also not just one sided characters. It is a interesting twist and a fun one to follow as the stories/lives of these characters continue.

To sum it all up:
With a talented cast of all ages the show does a great job to include wide range of audiences. The show is quite predictable but has a great level of depth and emotional intelligence that takes the audiences on a journey allowing the audiences to care about these people and feel the impacts of the big moments. Absolutely enjoyable and entertaining, with its teen drama (as well as the adults relationships), ass kicking fighting scenes, funny and corny moments.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ★ – I will give it 4 stars out of 5.
As the show was entertaining and I might actually watch it again.

Netflix recently added Dawson’s Creek and I decided to re-watch it. I remember that I watched it back in the day, not really remembering much nor if I had seen all the episodes, I just remembers that I liked it, not to mention that Joshua Jackson was in it.

I found a few, interesting things, that I actually like about the show, that I did not remember. I like the dialog, even if it is kinda advanced for the age of the characters. I actually found it to be refreshing and I liked that the characters articulated their feelings and thoughts in a way that was at times beautiful and productive. Also that some of the more sensitive subjects were tackled in a way that felt thoughtful and was handled with compassion.

As I re-watched the show, I found that Dawson and Jen bug me, a lot, they are so self-centered and are the ‘offer’ in the saga of the story they are the main character in. I just can’t seem to like them, I want to, but can’t.
When it comes to Jen I began to like her near the end of season 4, she becomes more of a well rounded character as time goes by and when she and Dawson get together in the next season she (and Dawson) are adorable together.
It is not until season 5 when Dawson looses his father that I began to like him as a character, he finally seems to grow up and become more rounded character.

Audrey and Andy… not sure what was the point with some of their story lines. To me they were likeable for the most part, both of them were fun and adorable ‘fill’ characters for the show, they had their issues but served a purpose for the characters around them.

I found Jack‘s story to be interesting, his struggle with being gay. Even if he was accepted by his peers for the most part and had some struggles with his father it resolved itself and became this strength around him. And even if he did not have so much external struggles from the surroundings he had many intern struggles that he had to deal with.

Pacey… I can not love Pacey less, I remember I liked his character but re-watching made me just love him more. Pacey is incredibly kind and sensitive to the people around him. Yes, he is thoughtless at times and can say/do things that hurt others but he has the ability to apologize, learn from his behavior and will do anything to mend what he might have damaged. He is also the only character that has to find his own way, he has no path set out before him as the others, that know what they want and take the “traditional way” through life. His story is well written and well rounded, his path to growing up, finding himself and working through his issues may be more complicated than the path Dawson, Jen, Jack and Joey take but his is the most intriguing. He has to find his passion and find his own path outside the norms as so incredibly many young people do.

Joey has this ‘kinda typical’ story, about growing up, finding herself and getting past her issues, her story felt more linear than the rest of the characters and she is the center that the rest of the characters orbit around. Good part of season 6 seems to loose some of her story, but that happens for most of the characters in season 6. Having Joey and Dawson sleep together seemed so pointless and really did not serve the story, because the Joey and Dawson getting together had really faded out, it had lost its shine, long time ago. Because the moment Pacey and Joey became a couple that solidified their connection and made it very clear that they were the end game.

To sum it all up:
The show is entertaining and sweet and written in a wonderful way. I found it to be refreshing that the characters articulated their feelings and thoughts in a way that was at times beautiful and productive. Also that some of the more sensitive subjects were tackled in a way that felt thoughtful and was handled with compassion.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ★ – I will give it 4 stars out of 5.
As the show was entertaining and I might actually watch it again and again.