Let's Talk - Movies

The Karate Kid Part III (1989) - Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

• Just Curious Media • Episode 17

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Let's Talk - Movies
Episode 17: The Karate Kid Part III (1989) - Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez break down the classic movie and talk about living next to Mr. Miyagi's Little Trees, Daniel becoming a Cobra Kai, and platonic relationships.

Synopsis: Ostracized villain John Kreese attempts to gain revenge on Daniel and Miyagi, with the help of a Vietnam War comrade, the wealthy owner of a toxic waste disposal business.

Director: John G. Avildsen
Writer: Robert Mark Kamen
Cinematographer: Steve Yaconelli
Cast: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Robyn Lively, Thomas Ian Griffith, Martin Kove, Sean Kanan
Composer: Bill Conti

Original Episode: S01E18 & S01E17

Recorded: 02-21-22 & 10-16-20
Studio: Just Curious Media
https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

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Jason Connell:

Welcome to this curious media. This is let's talk movies. And I'm Jason Connell, on the shoulder day. I'm talking about the 1989 movie, The Karate Kid, Part Three. I mentioned this in previous episodes. We did the Karate Kid, the Karate Kid, Part Two, and this completes the trilogy. The reason for this being on Let's Talk movies is because I thought it'd be fun to share the scene by scene breakdowns. The reason I did the credit kids is because I do another show called Let's Talk Cobra Kai, and we explore them. It's a must a prerequisite, if you will, for being a fan of Cobra Kai. There's so many things in these movies that you can pull out also, they're just fun in their own right. Now, I have to say the Karate Kid, Part three is the weakest of the bunch. No doubt about it. Karate Kid, one Karate Kid, also known as they're going to get amazing. Magical holds up the credit card. Part two really good, great love story. It's not a recreation of the first movie. It's very different there in Okinawa to hold the story, the credit card, part three. It's a mess. But there's a lot of beauty in it. There really is they go to the anus house in Los Angeles, that famous house that you've seen in Blade Runner. There's great bad guys with crease and silver. And these guys become Mainstays and Cobra Kai, so you can't miss it. They always reference the past and over time, I've appreciated the credit card part three more because it's just so bizarre at times. But this was under the just curious media banner, of course. And this particular podcast recording was the first one we did post Netflix, meaning when Netflix got involved with Cobra Kai, things changed our it was one of the first after Netflix got involved. That's why the show became even more popular because we were doing let's talk Cobra Kai long before Netflix. It was on YouTube YouTube read for a while. And that changed everything. We got so many more subscribers and fans and our show got bigger and bigger, which is amazing. But we did this original episode of credit cut part three on October 16 2020. And again, my co host as usual Sal Rodriguez is on Let's Talk Cobra Kai and he does the deep dive scene by scene breakdown with me on the credit kid part three, you will hear the original intros and outros because I left them I didn't want to change anything. So there's an intro for this episode. But once we get into the episode, which is the credit Kit, part three, you're gonna hear that intro outro as well. And also, all of you on YouTube Live unfortunately, or fortunately, you will have to download the IO podcast version to hear it. There are separate pieces of content. I couldn't connect it here. So this is more of an intro setting things up. And then enjoy it. I hope you do. So without further ado, please enjoy the Karate Kid Part Three. 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. Finally, finally, finally, special episode of The Karate Kid. Part Three.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes. Would you say that this is a trilogy, which would you call at this point where we are would you call this a trilogy?

Jason Connell:

I believe so. Three films makes it a trilogy.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay. So the fact that they go into the Hilary Swank and Jaden Smith world, we're not counting that yet.

Jason Connell:

No. One's a remake. So that doesn't fall into the category and the fourth movie, I'm not sure what that becomes. Because it wasn't a reenactment or recreation because Mr. Miyagi did carry over.

Sal Rodriguez:

Hang on, Jason is Daniel Russo at all in the one with Hilary Swank.

Jason Connell:

Now, the next Karate Kid now he's not Wow. Okay. All right. That's for a future special episode as we break down The Next Karate Kid. Of course, you'll have to see the movie, too. So

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, yes, for sure. But I'm excited to be here today for part three of the trilogy.

Jason Connell:

And so as we always do, we'd like to run down the synopsis and the IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes ratings and a few things before we jump into the heart of the podcast the scene by scene beat by beat breakdown of the entire film. So here we go. So the synopsis on IMDb goes as such, ostracize villain, John crease attempts to gain revenge on Daniel Miyagi, with the help of a Vietnam War comrade, the wealthy owner of a toxic waste disposal business. And now here's the ratings. So the Karate Kid the original on IMDb 7.2 The Karate Kid part two 6.0

Sal Rodriguez:

It's not looking good. A little tougher grade. I'm gonna say 5.5

Jason Connell:

not far off. 5.2 Whoa, Oh, nice. And now here are the Rotten Tomatoes. The Karate Kid. 88% Bravo. The Karate Kid part. 240 2%. What? Yeah. Big drop.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, I'm gonna say 35% based on that. 15% What? Yeah, ouch. I've never heard of a movie. I think, Tommy, we suppose the room scores better, right?

Jason Connell:

That is a rotten tomato. All right. So moving along, we knew that this was not the strongest of the trilogy. Let's just call it what it is.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, look, I knew that. But I didn't read much about it in advance, because I didn't want it to affect the way that I view the movie. I want to view the movie with a pure and clean mind.

Jason Connell:

Absolutely. I know, we went over this on the other special episodes. But this particular film, I saw it on HBO when I was 1819 years old. And I remember being very disappointed, loving the Karate Kid, enjoying the Karate Kid, Part Two. And then just at the age that I'm like, wait, I'm just kind of over this right now. It really bugged me after that. I've never watched it again. Until last year. I revisited it. And that wow, there's some interesting things in there. So I've rewatched sense for this episode tonight. And I'm excited to talk about it. But it wasn't one that I saw the time could recite knew all the ins and outs of and I know you didn't have much familiarity with it, either.

Sal Rodriguez:

No, you know, the truth is when this movie came out, what was it? 89? Yeah, yeah, I was running the street. So I'm not I'm not proud of it. But I was running the streets when this movie came out.

Jason Connell:

But you had said on a previous episode that you've been going to one of your movie theaters there and seeing two movies at once. Sometimes your cinema in Asia may kick in. Maybe you didn't see it and loved it. You know

Sal Rodriguez:

what now that you mentioned my cinema in Asia, it is entirely possible. I did see this movie. But I yeah, I forgot. I forgot. I have no recollection

Jason Connell:

of Terry silver for Halloween once.

Sal Rodriguez:

I have no memory of seeing this movie, whereas I have memories of Karate Kid one and two.

Jason Connell:

Okay, fair enough. Fair enough. I was never Mike Barnes for Halloween. I'll just say that right now. All right. So the movie was released June 30 1989, Columbia Pictures, and I'll just give you the US gross. I wanted to make a guess out. I want him to do that to you. 39 million, which in context, the first two movies made, I think over 100. So it was coming off the wave of the first two, which did very well. The first one came out in 84. And the second one came out in 86. So three years later, here comes the trilogy. And it, you know, made some money, but not very good ratings wasn't very well remembered. And then that was the end of this particular franchise with Daniel and Miyagi. What was the budget? Well, I usually have that information. So and honestly, I could not find it on IMDb or IMDb Pro. So I just had the gross, which was less than the other two movies. So I don't know, we'd be just guessing if someone out there knows, feel free to contact us on social media. With all

Sal Rodriguez:

the numbers we do have at our disposal with the first two movies and with this information about the gross sales, we can probably take a guess at what the budget was.

Jason Connell:

I'd say 10 to 12 million.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay. All right. I'll take it.

Jason Connell:

So now we're jumping into who came back because a lot of trilogies work, usually because they didn't just re cast everybody, or was different director or different writer. Now that was not the case for this movie. You had Jerry Weintraub still producing John G. Appleton still directing. Robert Mark Kaman was the writer who had written all of the karate kids. Bill Conti composed it as he did the other two films. He composed it beautifully. And you had Pat Marita ruff Maggio. Randy Heller, Pat E. Johnson, and Martin Cove all come back to this movie. Now one little tidbit also is the fact that it was nominated for five Razzie Awards. And so I'm sure you know what a Razzie is?

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, yeah. Nowadays, you could probably publicly accept a Razzie and you know, do it tongue in cheek, but back then. Right? I don't think it was an honor.

Jason Connell:

No. And I don't want to glorify that either. We're huge fans of the franchise, obviously. And again, it's the weak link and the armor. And it's fine. It is what it is. But there's a lot more there to like, than I realized, and that's what we're gonna get into. But I figured I'd just throw it out there because it is factually accurate.

Sal Rodriguez:

And I gotta hand it to Patti Johnson. To me at this point, Patty Johnson is like a pillar with these movies.

Jason Connell:

Absolutely. I mean, he only had a small role. And the second one, as did Martin Cove. And Randy Heller wasn't even in the second movie. So it's nice to bring her back, albeit small roll. Yeah, and it was cool to see Johnson come back and obviously since a crease, always a pleasure to have him on the big screen. So anything else you want to get into Sal before we jump into the move? You

Sal Rodriguez:

know, we're gonna get right into the montage of the first movie the second movie that takes place in the third movie. It's a double feature montage in the third movie.

Jason Connell:

So true and we talked about this on the credit card part two, how the movie starts with this montage which at the time just blew me away seeing that again going man, so I haven't seen that done very often, except for Rocky to and some of the Rocky movies they would show the fight that into the movie prior. And then when I set the movie up that way, which I found to be interesting, because Appleton directed rocky won the Oscar. He also directed rocky five, so he kind of had put that style in motion, which is interesting that this movie does it too. It's a true to form. We have a montage to start Karate Kid part three, which is great. You have Mr. Miyagi and Daniel Russo first meeting, you have trimming of the Bonds eyes, the infamous headband, the Cobra Kai dojo, Miyagi meets crease than the all Valley karate championship. Sal, this is where all roads lead to in this particular film. And now we're at the All Valley karate championship, Johnny verse Daniel. And Sal, I heard something I had not heard or remembered until the viewing of this film. And that's when crease is cleaning Johnny's bloody nose. You hear a fan yell at Johnny Euro cream puff. Have you ever heard that before?

Sal Rodriguez:

No, no, I haven't heard that one. So good.

Jason Connell:

It's there clear as day. Just listen to it. It's in the first movie. It was also in the second because the second had a montage from the first. So it's always been there. But it hit me this time and I cracked up because some extra does had a fun time with that. Or who knows. Maybe it was the director. I'm not sure but I loved it. And then we get the Crane Kick. And that leads to the assault in the parking lot. Miyagi defeats crease. And then as that ends, then we start to kind of segue into the third movie. I don't know if you remember the SAL but Miyagi says his line to Daniel, a person would know forgiveness and Hart living worse punishment than death. And that was really nice to us. That is the end point. And then what do we see? As we see the first glimpses of credit card Part Three non montage?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, that would be crease walking down the street alone, dejected, right. This is when the non montage portion begins. One thing I think is interesting right off the bat, is how much the exterior of the dojo had changed in just a few months, right. But what went on down is what happened. What happened to this place. And by the way, that was Lankershim right near the corner of Magnolia. You can see the Magnolia

Jason Connell:

so I saw magnolia. Absolutely. I saw that.

Sal Rodriguez:

And the funny thing is creases there alone going into the dojo, and I really liked the exterior of the dojo as far as how much it changed. Did you notice that that little boy standing outside the dojo, they make eye contact? See, this gives me greater appreciation, just like you mentioned the creampuff yell out at the tournament, when you watch a movie more than once you get these little nuggets that you miss. So I'm telling you, I have a greater appreciation for watching things again,

Jason Connell:

I didn't live in LA at that point in time, but Sal, you could speak to it. I'm sure there were neighborhoods and areas that just looked a little more decayed. He comes in, there's mail that has been thrown through the chute. He's picking it up. He's just kind of checked out at this point in time. And so I like the first thing we see when he gets in the dojo besides the mail on the ground was the classic Soldier of Fortune photo that we've seen so often. And Cobra Kai and Karate Kid, and what does it say on that photo?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, it says that he's the army karate champion. And I got to tell you for the first time and this comes from multiple viewings. I had a problem with that photo. You know why? Because it says a US Army karate champion. Right? Right. But why isn't he in the ghee? Why is he in his fatigues?

Jason Connell:

It is weird that they slap that on there 1972 72 Crown Champion, but I'm with you. It doesn't seem very accurate seemed like he would have been at a GI Absolutely. But it's a great photo nonetheless. Of him of Martin Kovar since a crease. And then we have a phone call from Allah Valley and who's on the recording.

Sal Rodriguez:

And now this I was excited to hear it. It's Pat e Johnson calling from the valley and he says he's dropping Cobra Kai from membership rules or membership ranks. I couldn't tell what he said haven't

Jason Connell:

made any payments. So they they're not in the next tournament. They hadn't really done anything else wrong. They just hadn't made any payments. All that mail is piled up. They've not been in touch with anybody since losing. I think Johnson even says I'm sorry to hear you lost all of your students. Oh, so you heard about what happened in the parking lot. I mean, let's go back in time Pat Johnson saw since a crease come out and how mad he was it was right there when all that was taking place. And so they are out of the turn. Hermant

Sal Rodriguez:

Wait a second Jason So you're telling me that not paying your your dues right gets you booted but fighting in the parking lot doesn't

Jason Connell:

I'm not sure he saw exactly what happened. But he did hear the students laughed he did see crease coming out in a barking at people and was like, Oh that guy, but I don't know if he continued to see what took place a couple minutes later. Okay. Yeah, because of all Valley saw that him choking out drowning trying to kill him. You would think that since a crease would be ousted, but not necessarily Cobra Kai, but if he is Cobra Kai, then yes, that's the reason for expulsion. So Chris looks down on that. Right hasn't done anything kinda like Johnny looked and Cobra Kai when he wasn't paying his bills. He was trying to get students there. He all he had it was Miguel, very similar energy to objectiveness drinking all the time. I mean, I'm sure Johnny was channeling some of that or not Johnny himself but the show was channeling some of this crease objectiveness.

Sal Rodriguez:

Not to mention he there's an answering machine message right after Pat Johnson. From Pacific Bell. I don't even know there's no more Pacific Bell in Los Angeles? I don't think so. Yeah. Pacific Bell threatening to disconnect the phone line. And then to add insult to injury? What was he sees a newspaper clipping of Daniel in the newspaper? Oh, god. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

that is so great. It says mystery dojo was single student defects. Cobra Kai. Wow. That was a photo of macho and I believe Miyagi was on it. And so So I zoomed in to read some of the text because I like how accurate were they in the story? Great headline. And this is the next sentence. residents feel that they have been taken advantage of ever since the tax laws governing their additional land holdings were reviewed and increased.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, yeah, it

Jason Connell:

was some old tech, some old article. And they just said, I'll leave it. No one's gonna see that. So they didn't really write a great article. I was disappointed by that.

Sal Rodriguez:

No, no, no, I, you know, now I would expect them to write an entire article. Back then. You know, that was a different area. Yeah, I guess you gotta let a lot of stuff have roll, you know, is like, well, in 89,

Jason Connell:

a lot of these plot lines, they did the same thing. And I won't get into that. No,

Sal Rodriguez:

but I believe in writing a full on, full on Article.

Jason Connell:

They only think about the big screen and then a little screen and on the big screen. It probably couldn't see it. But I'm on a monitor. I zoomed in as like what they didn't expect it to go on all these other devices. So now we're at Frank Lloyd Wright's infamous in his house, which is just it's stunning. So I mean, you've seen it. And Blade Runner. It's the Mayan revival home. It's just gorgeous. And I have gone on hikes to Griffith Park, right there by at the foot of it so you can get really close. And it's just such an impressive sight. So props on location. Well done to make this Terry Silver's home, played by Thomas in Griffith. So cre shows up at the doorstep of this gorgeous house. And what happens?

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, this house is a fortress when you see it from the outside. I mean, it looks it's one of these places that says don't come anywhere near here. It reeks of power. And Chris is let in by a butler, an actual an actual Butler, who has a butler, Terry Silver has

Jason Connell:

a butler. And Chris calls him the boss. Yeah, yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

And what is Terry silver doing? What it what does he happen to be doing when Chris arrives? Is that? Is that a coincidence? Do you think he knew Chris, what's coming?

Jason Connell:

No, that's who Terry silver is. He's practicing karate taking out two guys, two pupils who sparring. He's actually quite good at martial arts. I would give him total credit. He's super tall. He's lanky, his kicks are fabulous. And boom, there's Chris. And what'd he say?

Sal Rodriguez:

He says, You're telegraphing that we'll kick. Because let me tell you something. Thomas II and Griffith is delivering some great kicks. And as it turns out, he has a background in Taekwondo. He has a fantastic martial artist. He has great moves. And how about these guys that he's sparring with? That what they're just gonna get paid to get their ass kicked is what's happening here. Well, when

Jason Connell:

you have money like Tara Silva, he kind of reminds me of a akin to Steven Seagal. Oh, yeah, it's got the hair. The look, I'm sure they were casting for Steven Seagal esque as what they were going for. Although this came out when Seagal was I guess he had made his first movie by then above the law, but that was definitely the look they were going for. And he nailed that.

Sal Rodriguez:

And he has been quoted as saying he's not an actor who got into martial arts. He is a martial artist who became an actor, right? And so as a goal. Oh, yeah, to be fair, yes, definitely. That moment when Terry first sees crease, and we see what I believe is the only genuine smile with affection. That is the Oh only moment we will see Terry silver be a real person in that moment

Jason Connell:

when he's like Johnny yep, right there. And we learn that he's into nucular waste. And I love he has this line that I'm lucky I make one deal a year without getting indicted. So this guy has done some shady things. It's paid off. And he's just a diabolical guy. And I don't even know what motivates him. But power and greed as you just said, absolutely do. Jason did

Sal Rodriguez:

you notice Terry's ghee? It was not cotton. It was like a polyester ghee and look sharp on him. Is that something martial artist wears a polyester ghee? I've only seen the cottonwoods Yeah,

Jason Connell:

I'm not sure Terry's ever had a special ghee made for him. And we also learned that he bought Cobra Kai for crease who saved his life more than a few times and the war. I never knew that. Wow. Okay. No mention of him in the first two movies. And no representation of him at the All Valley in which Daniel

Sal Rodriguez:

best Johnny? Yeah, so really, Terry Silva is such a pivotal character in this movie, but he did come out of nowhere.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I guess we're supposed to believe he was there the whole time making deals pulling the strings funding increase in Cobra Kai, but hey, now here he really is. So okay, much like a lot of things in this movie. There's some iros or some over the top acting. And yeah, Terry Silva is a big part of that.

Sal Rodriguez:

But this shows how close they are because not only do they have this history of both serving in Nam crease opens up vulnerable, says to Terry, I'm broke. And I'm going nowhere. And what does Terry say? Talk about a great friend. How many friends will tell you this? You're wrong. You're going to Tahiti, and he sends crease right? On an all expense paid trip to Tahiti.

Jason Connell:

Amazing. Yeah, Chris shows up to say, here's the keys. I'm done. I'll get you the background later. And he's dejected. He's put on a Johnny from Cobra Kai season two, Episode 10. He's out. But unlike Johnny crease as a super rich friend, and yes, he sends him to Tahiti. He needs to get his batteries recharged. Terry's gonna move creases problems, which is Miyagi and losing the students and everything else up to his number one thing to focus on because that guy has time for it. What a POW indeed. So they're off to LAX. And I like this scene, or he's dropping him off. And I think he's driving a Rolls Royce. And he's dropping him off. Am I right on that side? Well, specifically

Sal Rodriguez:

a 1978. Convertible Rolls Royce. I believe that would be pronounced Cornish because it's CLR and ichp. Cornish. So I think it's a Rolls Royce Corniche,

Jason Connell:

very good looking car. And as he's dropping, crease off? Who do we see? Just come right out the doors just a moment later,

Sal Rodriguez:

as creases walking into the airport. Daniel, and Mr. Miyagi are walking out. I mean, I don't know how they didn't see each other.

Jason Connell:

Having just come back from Okinawa might have been hilarious. Had they had an encounter right there in front of lax, that would have

Sal Rodriguez:

been outstanding, there would have been no movie I will have in it.

Jason Connell:

So now we cut to the South Seas, and it's under construction. And we also learn what Sal?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, one thing that jumped out at me having grown up in Los Angeles, specifically the San Fernando Valley, we hear power 106 Jay Thomas, DJ. And what I was uncertain of is, was that someone actually playing his voice from their car? Or was that part of the soundtrack of the movie? I don't know.

Jason Connell:

I'm not sure. They pulled up in the taxi Miyagi, and Daniel took a cab to South Seas. Could have been that. But we learned though, that it has been sold, which was news to me, because I thought, well, maybe there's this chance that Miyagi owns it. And that way he could afford the life that he has the house, he has the cars he has, but turns out it was just a job because the old lady from South Seas comes out, and she's gone on and on about Didn't I tell you, he's gonna sell the place, he's gonna do this and Miyagi shaking his head. So we've learned that Miyagi is now out of a job. And he's been overseas for the last month or so. And it took a bigger financial crunch than I ever realized. Well, that

Sal Rodriguez:

is one thing that I definitely was thinking a lot throughout this movie actually was. I want to see a timeline. How long were they in Okinawa? That I'd like to know because they came back and they're turning their apartment into the receita. Hills condominiums.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I would say they're there for a month, maybe two. I mean, they were there that long. And Sato was ready to fight like three days and that whole thing was playing out in like a week, but you assume that they stayed because things had really lightened and it was a good environment and We also learn a few beats from now that he helped build up a home and help fund that. So that really cost Miyagi, some money. So I'd say, you know, a month, maybe two, just guessing.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, there's literally no regard for safety. We're talking like debris falling off the roof as they're talking to their neighbor there at the sidewalk. And she's filling them in on what's going on. I think I was just kind of flabbergasted that they came back to this.

Jason Connell:

And I was too it's sad to say, but you and I both can tell the audience that the South Seas which I used to call the Seven Seas is alive and well, on receipt. It's perfect, untouched, it may have been bought and sold a few times, but it looks exactly the same. So that's the best news about it's not gone like Mr. Miyagi he's house that I'm sad to say, was demolished. So it's kind of a sad scene, Miyagi is taking out the trees, because he had the little workshop there, to where him and Daniel met. But he's on the phone with Daniel's mother telling her that the room is finished, and that Daniel can stay there no problem. But however, that brings this upsell and karate kid to they just started the room edition. Remember when the mailman showed up, and then they whisked off to Okinawa so that he hires some guys to come in and knock out Daniels room and get it all done? Because they have literally not been in the states to finish the room?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well see, that's what I mean is I want to see a timeline. How long were they in Okinawa? And if they were in Okinawa long enough to take care of business in Okinawa, but then have a crew come and finish the room at Mr. Miyagi his house? Who was that crew? And how long did it take them? I really, I think I really, at this point, after watching this movie, I'm going to try to create my own timeline as a frame of reference, because I want to know how things how long things took

Jason Connell:

with or without a timeline. The logic is laid out. It makes no sense if they were going to do it. Mr. Miyagi is very hands on him and Daniel didn't build it. So maybe someone did come in and do it, but or maybe it's just a movie thing. Hey, that's done. We move right on. I think this movie has a

Sal Rodriguez:

lot of those assumptions. Okay. All right. Well, you just gotta roll with it.

Jason Connell:

So then Daniel's mother is with Uncle Louie. And tell me what's going on with Uncle Louie because it's a little over the top Sal

Sal Rodriguez:

Daniels mother is on the phone with Daniel who's in receita. And right over her right shoulder is Uncle Louie with emphysema, laying in the bed, choking gagging by the way. It especially stands out because of the era that we're in today. But this guy is coughing and coughing without covering his mouth. There was no covering of the mouth whatsoever. And he's hacking away. So she's there taking care of Uncle Louie as he's sick with emphysema. And that said, we don't see her again.

Jason Connell:

No, I'm sad to say I'm happy that she was on screen. It was her first appearance in The Karate Kid since the original. But it was nice when she came back to Cobra Kai the show. And Louie Jr. was there. So that was kind of nice. So that must have been his father, who was very sick that she's caring for. So nice little tie in there. But we don't know Louie at all. He's grabbing a bell. He's shaking it. He's kind of a bit over the top

Sal Rodriguez:

the bell? Oh, that made me very angry.

Jason Connell:

So we also learn on this phone call that Daniels go into college. Now you're talking about a timeline? And yeah, please make sense of this to me. So in the Karate Kid, one as they moved out from New Jersey, I'm assuming now that Daniel was a senior. And so if he was a senior, then the first summer would have been boom, Okinawa. He's coming back here. And he's going to college. Right? Okay, I can buy that. I can buy that. But Sal, is he over? 18?

Sal Rodriguez:

I thought about that because he's over

Jason Connell:

18 you're not competing in the under 18 All Valley karate tournament.

Sal Rodriguez:

That's what I mean by the timeline. Not only do we not see a high school graduation, not only would not see his room being built at Miyagi house, but yeah, he's he's an adult now, isn't he?

Jason Connell:

Then this throws it off even more, we saw him get his driver's license in the Karate Kid. So then that would have been 16, presumably. So he probably is under 18 In some respects, and then maybe over another's. I think there's a lot of nuance there. And you can kind of follow that any way you want. But yeah, some things don't add up. But again, here we are Karate Kid three as a whole. Some of it just never adds up. Alright, so we also learn on this incredible call with all this exposition. What happens to Kimiko

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, okay, that upset me. And the reason that upset me is because I love Karate Kid. In fact, this is where Jason and I diverge. He prefers the Karate Kid I prefer the Karate Kid to I loved the Karate Kid to so much I love Kumiko I love their their tea ceremony to me one of the most romantic images ever captured on film, that tea ceremony. And you know what, as far as I'm concerned, you They just kind of threw her under the bus. She's gone. Daniel says that she took a dance job in Tokyo. What? Okay, well, I

Jason Connell:

wouldn't say they threw her under the bus. I would say that they threw Ali under the bus. She wrecked the car. She ran off with this guy from UCLA. I mean, that's the one someone or the bus. Well, they didn't give Kimiko they let her chase her dream.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, let me just say this for the record. How disappointed I was when Daniel and Miyagi come back to Los Angeles, without UTA and without Kumiko. Okay, I said it, we're done. Yeah, you did.

Jason Connell:

You did. In fact, one might say,

Sal Rodriguez:

Why come back? Yeah, for what? Your mom's not even there.

Jason Connell:

Miyagi, helped build up a home, spent money on set home. He's older in life. Here's one of the first loves of his life. Hey, you're in paradise. It always cracked me up on the show last, if you ever watched last, here's all these hot people and a secluded place and they're dying to get back to their lives. And meanwhile, take a step back and just enjoy where you are. Take that in. You are in paradise. So Miyagi Yeah, I should have stayed. And listen, Daniel can be with Kumiko and explore Tokyo for a year or go to school abroad or just anything but they didn't, they came back so we could make Karate Kid.

Sal Rodriguez:

That was why that's the big why. Alright, so

Jason Connell:

we've learned that Miyagi is low on money. And the reason why and now he has no job. And so the first thing that popped in my mind was sell some of those classic cars. Right? I mean, you got a pretty penny there. He's got a few of them. I know he gave one to Daniel. But there's a few more lined up as far as we know,

Sal Rodriguez:

as a collector, the first thought is not sell your collection. That's not the first thing.

Jason Connell:

Well, and then here's typical Daniel. He's young, he gets an idea. And he's off to visit a realtor because he threw the idea out there about chasing your dream and Mr. Miyagi always wanted to have his own little Banzai store shop. And so Daniel's wheels are spinning. And he's gone off to visit a realtor to be continued.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, this shows Daniel's heart. I mean, look, look where he's at. Daniel is sacrificing his money for his college education to help his sensei achieve his dream totally.

Jason Connell:

But without thinking it through at all I'm saying hearts in the right place with Daniel always. Sometimes the timing. His methods aren't always on point.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, later on, he really kicks his own ass about making errors. We're going to see more of that. Yes.

Jason Connell:

I think this trend continues into Cobra Kai. But that's just the character Daniel is.

Sal Rodriguez:

He's imperfect. He's the imperfect hero as we all are,

Jason Connell:

and we love him. So now we learn that Silva has bought 20 Cobra Kai locations, Sal, where this was amazing to hear. I'm elated. Just like we've talked about on previous episodes. Cobra Kai Dojo is everywhere. Someone could probably do that now and make a mint.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, that is a lot of locations. Did he say in the San Fernando Valley? Yes, he did 20 locations in the valley, which the valley end to end and this is not counting the hills but we're talking the valley itself. So from the foothills in 12 square miles, the valleys 12 to 15 square miles. So when in a 12 to 15 square mile area, you got 20 locations. That's pretty impressive. Current Starbuck's probably with Cobra Kai dojos at one time,

Jason Connell:

we also learned the plan for Daniel, his master plan. And he goes a little Dr. Evil here about the bloody knuckles because he's calling crease increases, of course in the middle of massage. And he's like, oh, yeah, one more thing. Make his knuckles bleed, right. And he stands up and he gives us big scream. It's like it's just so diabolical. It's just so over the top, if you will.

Sal Rodriguez:

I have to tell you this Jason and I have to fess up. When you and I first started recording let's talk Cobra Kai and we're on season one then we're on season two. I still hadn't seen Karate Kid three. So I did not know how evil crease actually was. So when crease appears in Cobra Kai, I was willing to give him a chance. Well, you know what? I was stupid. Crease is evil. And in this movie, you really see how evil creases? Absolutely.

Jason Connell:

So Terry's plan is to really put one over on Miyagi and Daniel to get him to fight in the valley to hurt him emotionally physically. wear him down, hurt Mr. Miyagi by hurting Daniel. And then he's gonna do this by kind of winning him over. So sell some of this info I was picking a certain car to drive and certain clothes to wear because as terrace ever walks around his house besides the butler, he's got like an assistant. He's got like a number one. He's got all these people following him and just doing things.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And it also shows us that these are kind of his his minions. These are his accomplices. I mean, they know what's happening. He is creating this persona, almost like a spy. He wants to drive a little cheap car, you know, he normally has a Rolls Royce. He wants a cheap car. He wants clothes that make him look downtrodden or humbled or average. Right? Yeah. And the staff is aware of this. What kind of staff is this

Jason Connell:

boy that he pays him very well. And honestly, you watch the exchanges with them, and he treats him very well. So they're happy. They live in this incredible home, and they take care of him. And the ruse continues, here's this guy doing some illegal things happy he's not getting indicted. And now he's put his focus on to our poor, Miyagi and Daniel, which is terrible. So Terry, as always, is going somewhere. And they're giving him his paper or magazine. I'm sorry. Here's the magazines you requested, sir. And but he had just chosen the car that would be best for this ruse with Daniel, which was what?

Sal Rodriguez:

That is a little blue truck. And it's not a convertible. It looks like the top was actually chopped. Yeah, it's a cool truck. It is. It's it's cool. You know, I would drive it for fun. 1972 Ford courier.

Jason Connell:

Nice. So he gets in his car, opens up the magazines. And of course, it's like a fighting magazine, a karate magazine. And he scrolls through it until he sees karate is bad boy, tournament terror. And who is that? Sal? That is

Sal Rodriguez:

Mike Barnes play by actor, Sean Canaan. And here's a little bit of cool trivia about Sean Canaan. After this movie, he was in a television show called The Outsiders based on the book. Well, who was in the movie The Outsiders before the Karate Kid.

Jason Connell:

Mr. Ralph mochi, Oh, yeah. Interesting, interesting parallel. And they film that movie where so? Tulsa, Oklahoma, and who directed it?

Sal Rodriguez:

Was it John G. Albertson.

Jason Connell:

Francis Ford Coppola.

Sal Rodriguez:

I've heard of that guy.

Jason Connell:

All I really come back to the outsiders. So now we have Daniel and Sal, he's got a lease. So here's a 17 year old Navy 18 year old, he can go down to the local realtor and get himself a lease. I love it. That's cool. I'll buy it today at nine. Why not? And what is the least exactly for sale?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, you know, now that you mentioned that, Jason, I'm thinking by now in this world. Daniel should be an emancipated minor by this point, right? I mean, really, he's he's just living his life. I mean, his mom's taking care of some uncle with emphysema. I mean, really, Daniel has no parents really, during the during this time. And then and that's why that's why the relationship though with Miyagi is is extra special, because he fills a multiple roles. But yeah, he went out and got a lease a commercial lease, and presents it to Mr. Miyagi. And he says, May all your dreams come true. So very special. It really is. Daniel is a giving generous person and he wants to reward his Sensei, with his lifelong dream of having his own bonsai store.

Jason Connell:

It's true. But again, Daniel doesn't really think things out. He flopped down a little bit of money. I mean, how much is college 99 So he spent his college money and he got a one month deposit, two months rent, and maybe just enough leftover, do some renovations. So we're not even talking about how much money that are college. And I understand his point. I thought it was great that he's like, Hey, college, I got to be into it. I could just be wasting my time. So I want to help you. But this was just a nugget. This wasn't like, I got you that spread and I own this thing. It's like I got your two months. We got two months ago on there and kick butt. And that's great. So the stakes are high. You know, they gotta make this thing work. So we're super excited to show Mr. Miyagi, so they leave dinner because Miyagi had made some fish. Leave the fish. It's already dead. Let's go. I just drive off.

Sal Rodriguez:

Let me tell you this. Jason, when we open on that scene, and Miyagi is grilling that fish over coals. I was thinking, I'd like to try that. I bet you that's delicious.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I was disappointed. They left dinner.

Sal Rodriguez:

A Miyagi freshly caught fish dinner. Yeah, yes, please.

Jason Connell:

Sign me up. So So where are they go? It blew my mind when I was watching this. Because again, I watched it last year. I thought, Wow, maybe. And then this week, I'm watching it and taking notes and really doing my due diligence. So it's at 135 North Avenue 50 and Los Angeles, California. Yeah. Now, I used to live in a house of which you visited for some outdoor movie screenings, and Mount Washington, which is really close to Highland Park and Eagle Rock. Well, this location, you would pass on the way to my house if you came via the 134 take Figaro to Avenue 50. So if you took that route to come to my house, you would have driven right by Mr. Miyagi these little trees.

Sal Rodriguez:

And for those who are unaware, as far as the landscape of Los Angeles, would you say, Jason, that would be considered east of downtown LA? Yes,

Jason Connell:

it's like a 10 minute drive to downtown Los Angeles from where I used to live. It's also very close to Pasadena, South Pasadena. All of that and you sneak around the backside and go to Griffith Park and Silver Lake and those Phillies. So yeah, it's right there. I had no idea for the four years I owned and lived in that house, that Mr. Miyagi these spot was right there. Now, it's not the same building. I should say that, but there it was really cool. But in 89, or 88, when they film this, it was a very different area, much rougher,

Sal Rodriguez:

it's experienced. The gentrification right along with many parts of Los Angeles has been gentrified. And the building I understand is torn down.

Jason Connell:

Yes. So now we go inside, Daniel's running around Sal. And it really reminded me of Steve Martin in the bathroom scene and the jerk. I don't know if you remember that movie or not the Carl Reiner classic movie where Jackie Mason's working at the gas station. He hired the jerk Steve Martin, and he's, he's gonna let him live there and he's running around going, Wow, I can live in the restroom. This is great. I put bookcases over here and he's running around. Everything's fantastic. And that is definitely Daniel on the scene. He's overselling it because he's so excited. Daniel gets really excited about things and really, he's kind of manic. And I'll and I love Daniel, but he has these super highs and these incredible lows. And so in this movie in particular, he's just all over the place.

Sal Rodriguez:

Jason, would you say that this was the beginning of Daniel LORUSSO automotive salesman?

Jason Connell:

Absolutely. Because He is a born salesman.

Sal Rodriguez:

He's selling me on a place that's full of dust and cobwebs hanging down. And I'm telling you, he's so excited. I'm looking at this place going. Yeah, you know what? I think he's right. So yeah, he's definitely a good salesman,

Jason Connell:

I back to Daniel rushing into things. Love it. He did it. He loves Mr. Miyagi. But Mr. Miyagi lives in a very cool place.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, yeah. Especially the things that he did to improve it. Sure.

Jason Connell:

It's like a museum. Well, Mr. Miyagi, also could have flipped a switch, and just made Mr. Miyagi little trees at his house. In his courtyard, I know that it's not where the movie went. But I think I would have really tightened my belt, and maybe done things a little bit smarter. But hey, this is Karate Kid three we're talking about.

Sal Rodriguez:

So you're saying you would have just had a backyard business because his

Jason Connell:

place was so unconventional. I think it could have worked. I know it was very taboo. Back in the day, you got to have an office, you got to have Pacific bells, get install your phone line, I get it. No one wants to have a home business. This wasn't 2020 or everyone's working at home, I get that. But his was unique. And they probably could have made it work. In fact, a lot of the stuff they're doing there, they're having things taken there. There's trees there. But whatever. It's a cool shop. And it helps put things in motion. And I like that I do.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, now that you mentioned it in that area in the valley and in a few areas in the valley. Well, actually, let's go back in time, a little bit in the valley. There were a lot more orchards. And there are still areas there are still small nurseries in the San Fernando Valley. So you know what, as far as nurseries go, I think you're right, it actually would have been good.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. And that's the word we should use. It's really like a modern day nursery to Miyagi little trees is a great name, but that's what it is a tons of trees around. It could have been there. It wasn't like the area they went to was this hotbed place. In fact, all there is is the pottery place across the street, which we'll get into. And the place next to it says for rent and then across the street. There wasn't a lot going on over there except for this train the Amtrak that would just come right in front. So Location, location, location. This wasn't like he was in the heart of it. But that said, it's a cool spot. Now we go back to Terry silver, and he's doing some dirty business now. And what does he say on the phone?

Sal Rodriguez:

He's telling some guy over the phone to dump chloride sludge in Borneo first of all forgot where the hell where is Borneo? I'm not sure. But yeah, this guy's telling people over the phone to do these horrific things. You just imagine him dumping sludge in some village probably in some native drinking water. Terry silver is a horrible person.

Jason Connell:

And he's in like a bubble bath and he has his assistant or Secretary they're taking dictation and then and Turns out

Sal Rodriguez:

Mike Barnes, Mike Barnes shows up for invitation, Mike Barnett flash and then invited also snake and Dennis. And who Snake

Jason Connell:

Snake is son of John G. Appleton. Wow Jonathan Appleton snake with a gold chain. He's kind of monetary Silvers thugs, if you will,

Sal Rodriguez:

one of his minions along with Dennis played by William Christopher Ford.

Jason Connell:

So Barnes comes in does some negotiating. He wants 50% of the Cobra Kai dojos across the valley and Silva kind of respects the fact that he negotiates and agrees to it, but he has to follow the plan. He has to hurt LORUSSO and he has to win the all Valley no pressure, because listen, this guy is a tournament guru. There's no way Daniel stands a chance against him and, and he knows it. He leaves nothing to chance.

Sal Rodriguez:

I guess I'm under the impression that Mike Barnes is sort of a national champion, right? Is that what we're led to believe?

Jason Connell:

Right, also under 18. So keep that in mind. Oh,

Sal Rodriguez:

an underwriter. And he's traveling around so let me get straight on under 18 Guy was recruited to go visit some guy in his house. So this because it sounded a little a little sketchy now.

Jason Connell:

It sounds like it's under 18 ish. What am I gonna do? You know, I know he's 21. But we'll squeeze him in. Yeah, Mike Barnes is actually living there. He's living now with Terry silver, because he's like, snakes onto his room. So that's his place now. Terry Collette. He's a collector. He collects people. He collects things. This is what he does.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. You know, I say it sounds like it's sketchy. It is sketchy. This is horribly sketchy. These are, these are bad people doing bad things

Jason Connell:

I'll tell you silver needs is like a cat. Wow. That's petting the cat all the time with his master plans. So now we have Miyagi and Daniel gathering trees. And they're in a beautiful location. It's actually the devil's basin. But they don't call it that. They call it the devil's cauldron.

Sal Rodriguez:

I believe yes. By the way, the devil's Cauldron is an actual place. And it is in Monterey County would be considered a central California Central Coast. Up above Big Sur I have been to this area and next time I will make sure I visit Devil's cauldron an actual place. So you know, when you get into some of the schematics as far as where they are versus where the location actually is? The location for the devil's cauldron actually, California Central Coast. And yet I think it's we're supposed to be closer to Santa Monica Malibu for the viewer.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, that was basins a little bit closer and just stunning. It really is. They're doing cartas is the helicopter shot is kind of takes it up and above and that's an incredible view. Great shot. So now we're at Mr. Miyagi, his little trees and things are in motion. They're making it work as Mr. Miyagi and Daniel do. And Daniel comes in with an application from all Valley Sal. And what do we learn? Because this, I have major problems with.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, so maybe we're talking about the same thing here because obviously Daniel needs and wants Miyagi signature. Miyagi does not want to sign but then later on, Daniel doesn't need Miyagi signature. He only needs his own right, so I got a little confused on that front.

Jason Connell:

I agree. That is my note Exactly. For later. My major problem right now is the fact that the all Valley has a new rule. The current champ only has to fight in the final match. Yeah, listen. This is the biggest I roll I could ever do for the Karate Kid franchise. This might be my single biggest problem with this movie. That is unfair to everyone. Every competitor, every Dojo every Sensei, that is the lamest thing to slap in this movie. I just hate it as a competitor. No way. Do you have a seat waiting for champ? No, it might be an easier pool for him, perhaps. But you do not do this. This was specifically done. So the movie could avoid rehashing what Karate Kid was and some Joe Esposito, you're the best, which honestly, this movie could have used some of that, but it didn't have it. So they put this thing in there. So they can say Daniel, if you're in the tournament, you're waiting in the final spot. And so I'm just I'll never get over this. This really really upsets me.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, because the truth is if you say the champ only competes in the final. Effectively the champ is not competing in The tournament. Exactly champs not not in the tournament,

Jason Connell:

you've deprived, so many other students have a chance to get there because it could be two new students, it's not necessarily going to be you. And let's go back in time Johnny had to fight his way there every time he was a two time champion, about to be a third time champion until Daniel bested him. Well, they didn't have that rule in place for him. So I'm sorry, I just think it was lame. And it was a bad story device. And I'll never ever agree with it.

Sal Rodriguez:

Do you think Jason it was maybe a simple way to guarantee that Daniel will be fighting Mike Barnes it's a guarantee otherwise, we don't have the guarantee. If Daniel has to scrap his way to the top again.

Jason Connell:

I agree. We could have gotten like a rocky five route which John Albertson did direct. They never actually fight in the ring. It's a street fight. But with Tommy Morrison, and Stallone, Rocky, Rocky Balboa. But then again, as I say that I realized that Mike Barnes is already best Daniel, twice in this movie. So it's not as if that's anything new. And I've always said that Daniel is probably good in tournaments, especially against Johnny and the Karate Kid when he was still really inexperienced karate student. But in a tournament, hey, you can score a couple points and you can be champion. So no, that wouldn't have worked. Barnes was a superior fighter. So I just, it is a way to ensure Of course, it's why they did it. And I understand why they did it so well. But just in as a competitor, and as an athlete, it just bothers me. If you can't earn it, you don't belong in the finals. I'm sorry. In the story. And by the way, check their IDs because I'm, I'm going to question Daniel on Mike Barnes age right now.

Sal Rodriguez:

I think they were drinking beer in the locker room this time. Yeah. Maybe they should

Jason Connell:

compete in the over a team of Valley tournament.

Sal Rodriguez:

So Miyagi does not want to sign this tournament entrance slip. He wants no part of it. He, which is interesting when you look at it, though, because it was Miyagi, who literally snuck Daniel into the tournament, in the first movie, literally snuck him in, right? Stole the black belt out of that guy's bag. I mean, let's go back to that. I hate to bring up a sore subject. So for Miyagi, to do this about face and be completely against the tournament, I can understand where if you okay, fine, Daniel, I don't want you to do the Tournament again. But he was completely about face against and that I was surprised.

Jason Connell:

While he wasn't for him to fight in the first one either, until it became obvious that he was going to deal with these guys faces guys all the time. Especially after he sprayed them with water and ran from the hem at the Halloween dance when he started the pot, if you will. But it became obvious to Mr. Miyagi when they went to go meet with crease, and it was going to be fight here fight assault all the time, or will go here. So he kind of gave in to that pressure. And then the second one well, I mean, listen, that was a fight to the death and he was jumped, so to speak. So I don't think Miyagi wants him to go back and fight just for the sake of fighting. So I understood Miyagi is ground on this, like, hey, that's something you've already done that, you know, you're not under 18 anymore, Daniel, foot that away. You don't need to fight in that anymore. But I kind of say with him on that there was nothing to gain from it. Until much like the first movie, it becomes something again,

Sal Rodriguez:

well, the verbiage that they use in some of the fan groups were Miyagi does not like karate as a sport. Right? You know, sport, you know, basketball, football, he doesn't want karate to go that way.

Jason Connell:

Right. So I would say Miyagi was right on point. He's always been that way until pushed beyond that. And we'll get to that. What you just mentioned about him needing Miyagi to sign it, and then inevitably, he doesn't need Miyagi to sign it. Yes, I agree with you. That's bizarre. All of a sudden, it's like, yeah, oh, by the way, I can design this myself. But he also got a lease to play. So it's like, on one side, he's too young on the other. He's old enough to do it. It's hilarious. A lot of that, and that cracked me up.

Sal Rodriguez:

How about this JSON is you need an adult if it's under 18 tournament, you need an adult to sign the slip for you. So if I if an under 18 person wants to fight in a karate tournament, they have to have a parent or guardian sign for them. But meanwhile, that same 16 or 17 year old can go get a commercial lease without having a parent or guardian sign for them. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

that's how it works. And I don't remember. So now Daniel meets Jessica, played by Robin lively, and you may recognize her and movies like two great football movies by the way, she was much younger Wildcats and best of times, fantastic films, and Teen Witch which I never saw but I'm sure the youngsters saw her in that and she's doing the pottery scene from Ghost minus Sweezy of course which is great. And Daniel walks in and and they have instant chemistry so so am I led to believe that third Karate Kid film third love interest is that It's going on here.

Sal Rodriguez:

If you want to get into some disappointment, I mean, the Romans kind of gets killed pretty quickly on this one. Right? I mean, it started. There's the sparks. There they are. Yeah. And then yeah, shepherds a few.

Jason Connell:

They have chemistry. We I thought, oh my gosh, are we going Ali? We have Kimiko. And now we have Jessica.

Sal Rodriguez:

Sure. And she's blatantly flirting with them. She pretty much set yourself up to be asked out. She kind of hits on him. They have a date, but then we'll see where this goes.

Jason Connell:

So then he goes back over to Miyagi little trees and Miyagi, like in five minutes, he's created a masterpiece. This guy is incredible with Banzai, he's doing a great job. He's got the drawing, which he's looking at, and I'm astonished by what Mr. Miyagi can do. Of course, look at his house. Look at his gardens. The guy's incredible I don't think

Sal Rodriguez:

we've seen Mr. Miyagi draw before and in this one we see him draw I don't think credit get one or two, we see him draw anything.

Jason Connell:

No, but also great at that. And that's why he went to go meet Jessica because he was gonna go to the pottery barn and see if she could put like an embossed logo, which I don't even have yet on some things and so we'll get to that in a little while. And that was the reason he matter. But of course, Miyagi kind of pushed him over there knowing there's a cute girl over there. And he's excited he got a date. But when Daniel comes back he's also disappointed that the application is still blank.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, Miyagi is not having it. No, Miyagi does not want to sign this thing he like I said, He's completely about face against this tournament. will not sign has not signed.

Jason Connell:

I wouldn't sign it either with that new lame rule.

Sal Rodriguez:

No, but that but that new lame rule makes it better for the champ right? Of

Jason Connell:

course. I know. I'm just kidding. I'll leave it alone. I'll leave it alone.

Sal Rodriguez:

I mean, look that literally rolls out the red carpet for the existing champ. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

it's true. Now we're back at Miyagi he's and silver lurks around. This is really creepy Sal. He's like a ninja. And he's there to get intel on Mr. Miyagi. And he doesn't do it when they're not home. He does it when they're there. And he discovers what Sal about Mr. Miyagi,

Sal Rodriguez:

hang on a second. This guy is a billionaire. He's involved in like nuclear waste. He hasn't. He has a staff. He drives a rolls, and He's creeping around a house in receita. What the hell is wrong with this guy? Yeah, he's insane. So yeah, he's creeping around. He's wearing these black. I noticed that the shoes that he was wearing, I look at people's shoes and movies. He's creeping around in what looks like maybe black la gear. And I think they did have le gear back then. Oh, yeah. So He's creeping around, while Daniel is getting ready for his date. And by the way, when Daniel puts on this cool, red Hawaiian shirt, it's fantastic. And then he ruins it with a sweatshirt, who the hell puts a on a wonderful Hawaiian Luau shirt and then puts a blue college sweatshirt over it. It made zero sense. It maybe made me very angry. So Terry Silver's sneaking around the place, and he stumbled upon this box. And in the box, he gets all the information he needs as part of his devious plan. He's finds information about the 400 and 42nd division. Right, right. He sees the Medal of Valor up on the wall. He also finds a flyer that has information on Miyagi little

Jason Connell:

trees. grand opening, a grand opening flyer.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yep. So he's gathering is is Intel. He is

Jason Connell:

and then he hides and the chimney no less. And Daniel and Miyagi, have an exchange. And Daniel decides to burn the all Valley application. He says, You know what? I don't need this. You're right, Mr. Miyagi burns it. And then just like a cartoon, we as they both leave, we're here coughing because that was where the silver was hiding, of course. And he's not discovered, and he makes it out scot free.

Sal Rodriguez:

And that's when I noticed the LA gears stomping out the flames at the bottom of the fireplace.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, exactly. So now, Danny goes to pick up Jessica. And this is when we learned that this is not going to be a romance. Which is weird. I mean, at this point in time, could have been a guy, but I guess Miyagi is his best friend. So let's bring in a girl but let's quickly make it platonic. Because we find out what's out.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Okay. So this annoyed me. Because, yeah, here we are thinking we're going to see another blossoming romance, which by the way, I don't need a romance. But don't you know, piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. You know, you make me think something's going to happen here. And it doesn't happen here. Right away. She says that she's in the process of reconciling with the boyfriend, that she had broken up with. The guy. There was a there was a picture in her shop of her rappelling with this guy down a sheer cliff, but his face in the picture was torn off. Well, that guy, they're reconciling. They're getting back together. She tells Daniel this right away. And what I did like is when Daniel said, Okay, we'll go Dutch. Right away. He's like, we're going Dutch. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

I just saved some money. And she's been there two months. She's pretty much running the pottery shop, but she's also moving.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes. Okay. So right away. No romance. And she's moving. What what are you doing filmmakers? What are you doing to us?

Jason Connell:

But speaking of filmmaking, I love the great handheld or Steadicam shot as they crossed the street to go meet Mr. Miyagi, that was a really cool shot, follow them all the way across the street. Up to meet Mr. Miyagi he meets Jessica for the first time. Nice little exchange there. And then Daniel's gonna give Jessica a tour, as Mr. Miyagi goes on his way.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And Daniel have a very touching moment. For the first time I believe ever. Daniel referred to Miyagi as his best friend. Yeah, that

Jason Connell:

was really touching. And that's why I don't think they brought a guy into this role, because it's like, well, now he's already got his best friend. So we'll bring this photonic girl and then we'll just make that work. Still weird, a little clunky, but maybe it's too fresh coming off. Kimiko coming off, Ally.

Sal Rodriguez:

I will say this. Not unbelievable, realistic. We all have platonic females in our life, we maybe have some platonic females in our lives. Maybe it didn't start platonically. Maybe we were romantically involved at one time, or we hit on them got shut down, but you stay friends. So it is a realistic relationship. I will say that.

Jason Connell:

Fair enough. So Daniel and Jessica are talking as they're looking around the place. And he starts talking about martial arts, and she's interested so he kind of pulls a Miyagi here, which I liked this thing. He says, He teaches me karate, but sometimes I don't know what he's teaching me. He was like, You know what, you're doing the clay wheel and you're sculpting pot, and he has to do the motion kind of your hands or not even how to describe this to the audience. Think of ghost and Demi Moore is like running your fingers through the clay. So she starts to do that kind of move up and down. He comes in like he's an attacker. And it's like a blocking technique. And she's like, oh, yeah, it's so clever. It's a cute moment, because you can tell like he's already thinking outside of the box, which comes in handy on Cobra Kai, because he has to become Miyagi, in the Miyagi dojo. So you can tell right then and there, this was him, putting that out there for the first time. And I liked that I liked the fact that he was already thinking that way.

Sal Rodriguez:

When she's showing the hand motions, and he's giving the instruction with the hand motions. There was some energy there, there was some tension there.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, you could tell, like, platonic or not. Sometimes things happen. Sometimes the boyfriend, five states away doesn't get back together. There's hope. There's hope that these two have a spark. But then who comes in

Sal Rodriguez:

every time? Daniel is about to have something that could potentially be romantic or lean in for the kiss? Boom, something happens Karateka to at the tea ceremony, what happens? A hurricane comes right after the kiss. Yeah. And look what happens here. Snake and barns arrive. They come right and they barge right in. Daniel that first is like, Hey, what are you doing reclosed thinking that they might be some, you know, weird customer. But no, no, no, no.

Jason Connell:

And they have the all Valley application because they know, because Terry told them. Daniel's not signing that he burned it. So go get him to sign this. And that's what they have.

Sal Rodriguez:

Part of the part of the master plan is that Cobra Kai wins the tournament, thus propelling their fame. Right? And people are gonna start signing up at those new 20 locations. That's the whole deal is a Cobra Kai has to win this tournament.

Jason Connell:

Right? And this is when we learned that Daniel can decide it himself. Right here. This isn't the first time we learned that like Mr. Miyagi they want him to sign it. And Daniel, as we know, is stubborn. He's already made the decision. He's not the Daniel asking Miyagi to help him sign it. He's the Daniel who burned it. That's it. He's out. So he's not going to sign it. And then Barnes goes crazy. Snake pulls him away, and out of the shop. And so I also like as they exit you see a payphone in the shot. Yes. Nice touch.

Sal Rodriguez:

A payphone not unlike the payphone knows right outside the dojo as Chris was walking into the dojo at the beginning of the movie. Here we are now in our era today. I like seeing payphones in movies. I really do. I don't know. It's nostalgic. Yeah, I'm old enough to have used them when I was very young. Sure. I like seeing them powered by

Jason Connell:

Pacific Bell. Now where Mr. Miyagi is home, which we know in the Cobra Kai world is Miyagi dough dojo, and they do contests there in the yard. It's beautiful. And who arrives so

Sal Rodriguez:

Terry silver walks up in his chosen everyday man apparel, kind of little bit poor posture, just a little bit to look humble. He wants to walk in with an air of humility, because he puts on one of the greatest acting performances in cinematic history.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, he's there to win them over and start this whole master plan. Have no idea he's connected to anything. And he comes in and he quickly apologize and sell and then He shares what

Sal Rodriguez:

he bows multiple times in respect. I'm telling you he's doing a fantastic acting job. And he reveals to them, that crease is dead and was buried just last week. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

And they're shocked. Miyagi shows real sympathy for losing a friend. Even Daniel is sad to hear the news because they probably hated crease. Sure, but last time they saw him. Miyagi bested him in front of all of the Cobra Kai students saved them and walked away in hopefully that he could figure things out and get on a better path to find that he's dead. Yeah, it also felt guilt for what took place. It's a pretty heavy thing.

Sal Rodriguez:

Also, Terry Silva does such a fantastic acting job. He really sells this to Miyagi and Daniel, they believe it. They believe this guy, there's no reason not to. I'm telling you, he appears very genuine.

Jason Connell:

So in the show, Cobra Kai, Gianni is going around for a while thinking he's dead. So I'm assuming that he has heard this through the grapevine perhaps through tears silver, because we talked about this back then like this, he is saying He's dead. He's dead to him. Like that guy's dead to me. I think Johnny, I really thought Chris was dead for a long time. This rumor reverberated around the Cobra Kai masses, if you will,

Sal Rodriguez:

I would imagine that the word got around. But you can't say that. That's why in Cobra Kai, Johnny thought that Chris was dead, because a few scenes from now we're gonna be at the valley. So if Johnny

Jason Connell:

had checked out by then so maybe you heard a rumor here and there and you know, he was no longer anything to do with it didn't follow all Valley. So I know, it's weird, but it could have been

Sal Rodriguez:

we're getting into the hypotheticals. hypotheticals are whether or not Johnny found out then in there, the rumor of Chris being dead. And how did that reconcile with Chris then appearing at the valley later? Or what happened after that? I mean, so we'll get started to get into the the hypothetical. So we don't know where Johnny is right now. Anyway, now Johnny is is where who knows.

Jason Connell:

So as the scene ends and silver leaves, he just gives us a little smirk and you just know man, this guy. It's such a crease thing to you know, they're one in the same these guys. Yeah, fake is one. Yeah, liars, manipulative sociopath, all of that. So now we have Jessica who's really warming up to Daniel and she shows up at Miyagi little trees, and she has some mac and cheese and Daniel's over the moment about macaroni and cheese. Let me tell you,

Sal Rodriguez:

Daniel is more excited about macaroni and cheese than commercial actors in Kraft macaroni and cheese commercials. I never seen somebody so damn excited about mac and cheese. And by the way, if somebody offers me mac and cheese, I say thank you. Do you have any sliced weenies? I need sliced weenies to go on my mac and cheese otherwise no deal.

Jason Connell:

Wow, there we have it. And then just as they settle in to have this great meal, right on cue, guess who shows up?

Sal Rodriguez:

Barnes arrives with snake and Dennis in tow, with more harassment about signing the stamp entry form. You know, at this point, I'm almost thinking, why don't you just forge his damn signature? Yeah, no kidding. forged his signature get them entered. And then you can still keep working on him showing up.

Jason Connell:

Right. And this time, they don't just do some threads and leave. They start to trash the store. And this is so upsetting.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Reminiscent of Karate Kid to when we see chosen trash, the Miyagi dough dojo and take that sigh and stab the rules up there on the Miyagi dough wall. I mean, very, very painful to see.

Jason Connell:

In fact, there's been a lot of trashing of dojos in the Karate Kid, Cobra Kai world, but this was a business. And we haven't seen this too much or ever.

Sal Rodriguez:

They start trashing the place but check out Daniel Russo taking on three guys.

Jason Connell:

He takes Dennis out. Daniel has obviously learned a lot of karate since all Valley when he was in Okinawa. He did very well against chosen saved his own life, if you will. And here he is taking on Dennis who he does takes him completely out. It wasn't even close. It was awesome. So some great moves. And this is not a small guy. And then meanwhile, Jessica hit snake with I believe the bowl that she brought over, right knocks him down. And then what happens? Barnes kicks

Sal Rodriguez:

Jessica, in the belly. And right away I'm thinking I hope she wasn't pregnant. I'm sure she wasn't. But if you kick a woman just randomly in the stomach, that's where my mind goes. I hope she's not pregnant.

Jason Connell:

Probably should never kick a woman anyway. Don't kick a woman are hit a woman or nothing but this guy hauls off kicks Jessica in the stomach. Terrible guy. Now he's just the worst guy. He's in good company with crease. Yeah. And Terry silver.

Sal Rodriguez:

So the fighting continues. Is just blowing up there right in the middle of the shop. Well, first

Jason Connell:

of all, Barnes puts a beat down on Daniel. So it's obvious that Daniel is a good fighter, sure. But you see right here and now that he's outmatched by Mark Barnes.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, like I said, that you have now a regional champion against a national champ. But what would happen then if you have the national champion against the the global champion, so eventually Barnes wouldn't would meet his match. But yeah, you definitely are shown that Daniel cannot compete with Mike Barnes.

Jason Connell:

So Sal, thank goodness, you know, who shows up to save the day?

Sal Rodriguez:

Miyagi arrives like a superhero. It comes in like Batman.

Jason Connell:

Totally. And he has no problem with Barnes. No, no, Barnes is no match. So he takes him out. And you can see like, oh, Barnes runs off because he knows he can't fight. This guy doesn't know how to compete with them. He doesn't know what style it's very different Miyagi learned in Okinawa from his father, who was a great master who taught him and Sato, so, he's the ultimate defense offense. I don't think we think he's ever even been hit.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, if you notice the way that he fights, he doesn't keep a guard up whatsoever. I mean, he is guard free when he fights.

Jason Connell:

He's too quick. He's got cat like reflexes and he saves the day, they run off the jump in this car convertible Mustang. And then they started doing like 360s peeling out. And so they literally were almost killed by the Amtrak train.

Sal Rodriguez:

They made it through the tracks, and then the train comes through. If that was a stunt. It was a very good stunt and a very dangerous stunt.

Jason Connell:

That was a great stunt. And that must not have been them in the car. Or maybe we don't know who was driving with Denis driving because it could have the switch could have been there could have been a stunt driver, whatever it was, well done. And it was like, oh my god, that was really close. And things over but it's a very Karate Kid scene. Destruction. Daniels hurt. Unfortunately, this time a girl was hurt and Miyagi saves today. But we know this isn't the last time we're going to see Barnes snake and Dennis.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, no, no, no, they took off but they did appear uninjured or not too badly injured, they will live to harass another day.

Jason Connell:

So now we're back at me Yagis. And unfortunately, Sal just gets worse. The trees were stolen. The trees they had back at the house are stolen. And Miyagi is like that's it. I'm going fishing and Daniels super upset. And he's gonna go to the cops. So it's just like this is this is the low point of the movie right here.

Sal Rodriguez:

I did think this though you mentioned earlier when Miyagi first goes down on his luck after losing his job at the South Seas. He said sell the cars but my thought of the cars for this night is they came and stole a bunch of bonsai trees. without damaging these beautiful showpiece vehicles here. You would think they would have at least broken a few windshields or, or or dented the fender at least

Jason Connell:

Yeah, or spray painted something. Yeah, it's a good point. But they took the trees which they know that hurt them because they've already hurt the shop. So it was just another just trying to push him to get in the tournament. That's the point.

Sal Rodriguez:

So what did these guys do with these bonsai trees that they lifted from the Yagis? Yard? What? What became of them? I need to know it's

Jason Connell:

good question. Now, Sal, this scene coming up is just a terrible idea. Imagine that in this movie. But it's Daniel, and Jessica. And they're going to get the infamous bonsai tree worth around. $10,000 to help save Mr. Miyagi, these little trees. And meanwhile, Mr. Miyagi, put this tree here hidden, and it'd be safe. And the last thing he wants is this priceless tree to be taken from its spot up routed from his spot and sold to save the day. But this is Daniel's plan. He's moving. That's what's happening. And I just hate the idea from the outset.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, it's a dangerous plan. They're going to repel down this sheer cliff with the ocean beneath them with a rising current. This not only is a horrible plan, I don't think it was well thought out. They should have gone earlier in the day when the tide was lower. Yes,

Jason Connell:

yes. And he did recruit a repeller. And Jessica, because we saw the photo so she's actually done this before. Not to that would stop Daniel. He'd figured out a way because he's a fast learner and everything he does that's been evident throughout the franchise. But I believe so. This is the time to liquidate the cars. Not to go get this tree and you got to find a seller. He didn't even get me August permission. Another one of Daniels plans. Just go on for it. Consequences be damned. We'll deal with those later. This is what we got to do. We got to do this. And this is his ammo throughout this entire movie.

Sal Rodriguez:

When we talk about the entire Karate Kid universe and you and I have thought it would be neat if they went back to a young Miyagi, at some point in time on Cobra Kai or a standalone film. Imagine the moment in time when Miyagi repelled down there himself and planted that tree. That was a moment I'd like to see,

Jason Connell:

yeah, that'd be nice. He probably went alone. And he probably thought, I'm going to put it here. And nobody in their right mind will ever uproot it from this spot. But little did he know his best friend would do just that. Well,

Sal Rodriguez:

the first part is no one really knew it was there, Miyagi planted it there, didn't go around telling anybody who's going to find this thing, who's going to look for it, unless you know it's there, you're not going to go, just stumbling upon it. True.

Jason Connell:

So here we are. They're going down. And he's learning as he goes, How to repel. There's a couple of close calls. But then what happens

Sal Rodriguez:

with these close calls, I'm having images of Land of the Lost. It just reminded me of Marshall will and Holly going down into the land of the loss. And remember, when they first see the bonsai tree through the binoculars, they see a little lizard there. Did you notice a little lizard? And then later on a lot of again, they see butterflies? Yeah, it's in a very pretty place. So they start making their way down. And when

Jason Connell:

I was setting you up for was this they actually dropped the tree. Oh, they have these two close calls with Daniel slipping, and then he gets his bearings. And then Jessica has a moment right when they get the tree. And then what happens? Of course, the tree tumbles all the way down to the rock below, and it's getting in the saltwater. Now they have to propel the whole way down just to save the tree.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, yeah, they got to get down to water level. And then they got to rinse off the roots, because apparently, seawater or saltwater is dangerous for the plants. So they so so Daniels freaking out either they gotta rinse the roots, you know, they got to make sure that they clean out all the saltwater, put it back in the bag, and then climb back up. But they look up at the ropes. And our buddies are up there at the top of the cliff, pulling up the ropes. Of course, I'm talking about snake, Dennis and Barnes.

Jason Connell:

Yep, they're back. So they follow them here at the devil's cauldron. And waited for them to go down for this moment to pounce on them. Okay, that's fine. They knew their plan, they would get this bonsai they get stuck and whatever they had a well orchestrated, and I guess they can hear them from above screaming at them because they're down there. And there's waves the tides gonna come in and it could kill them because they'd be stuck. And of course, I love how snake just throws the application. I mean, it's wrapped up in something and maybe there's a rock, but he just throws it at their feet, which sounds highly unlikely but yet, I'll go with it fine. That just is what so what do they want them to do? But

Sal Rodriguez:

sign this application and we'll throw the ropes back down again. Daniel's resisting doesn't want to sign it but eventually he gives in he signs it they come back up and that's when snakes Oh, I see I don't think that our bad guys knew about the bonds I think snake just happened to see it and make and demand that it he obviously assumed all this is important. This is valuable. So he wanted to basically start them for the signature steal the bonsai tree and then Barnes in a epic moment of meanness and evilness breaks the bonsai tree and half breaks off a limb. Yeah, it's absolutely terrible. And you should know that the look on Daniels face when Barnes broke the bonsai tree. This is where Daniel gets into his kicking his own ass. You know, he's thinking, what am I doing here? Why am I doing this? What the hell is going on here? What What have I done?

Jason Connell:

He was saying that the whole way up to like, I shouldn't assign the saying, you know, days ago, we should just gone along. But now I'm in this situation. Now I'm stuck at their mercy. And then of course they pull them up and then he breaks it. So now he's regretting the whole plan, which South he asked me horrible plan from the onset. All he's done now is taken this priceless tree. Or maybe it's worth$10,000 But it's priceless to Mr. Miyagi. And now he has it broken. And he can't hide this from Mr. Miyagi. It's no longer worth the 10 Grand or so that he thought it was going to raise he's got a real problem on his hand. This next same sow is truly heartbreaking to me. As Daniel shows up at Mr. Miyagi little trees, and he has the broken bonsai he can't hide it. And when you see Mr. Miyagi his face, his reaction is much sadder than even Daniels. And it's just it's almost too much to bear. So Oh, yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

I mean, we don't know how many years it's been but he recognizes this bonsai tree as the bonsai tree. The

Jason Connell:

what's the logo for Miyagi? Dough dojo? Whoa, wow.

Sal Rodriguez:

Hello, mind blown. I didn't know that.

Jason Connell:

Okay, a logo on his GI in the tournament, the all Valley

Sal Rodriguez:

amazing, okay. Okay. Now it all makes sense. Well, no wonder he recognized it right away

Jason Connell:

and he makes fast work. It's like Miyagi is a doctor in the emergency room. He goes right into action. He knows what to do. Will and you know, he's saying if it has strong roots, it'll live and he actually even forgives Daniel in that moment South says a lot about Mr. Miyagi

Sal Rodriguez:

man who lives without forgiveness and heart living, worst punishment than death.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, he saw the reaction of Daniel. He saw how scared and sad he was. And he was only trying to help although sometimes often they get stuck on the on the trouble and getting mad now it's not going to change the situation. He's got to focus on this and they have to work together to save the tree.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, like you said, it's an ER moment. It's emergency act now.

Jason Connell:

And then Daniel gets upset. He goes from being super sad and freaked out to being really upset because Mr. Miyagi shares the fact that he sold the truck and he got some trees and he's like, Why didn't you tell me and then this is that manic side to Daniel that I see these highs and lows. Just a scene ago. He's beating himself up for not signing the all Valley agreement sooner than he gets up. And he's screaming at the guys. They break the tree. He comes into confessor, Mr. Miyagi, and now he's yelling at Mr. Miyagi, not a beat later, because he didn't know the plan. You know, this is that instability and maybe this is all Daniel is a bit bipolar at times, it seems like this is some

Sal Rodriguez:

heavy duty stuff he has to deal with. I mean, I don't know what 17 or 16 or 17 or even 18 that I had, you know, the stakes were not that high for me. When I was his age, I mean, his life is threatened pretty much is his physical, his physical safety. Obviously, his business his business partnership, remember, he is partner now with with me on this. So he does have a lot of stuff to lose, and the stakes are high for this young man. So I do let them off the hook a little bit for his emotional roller coaster, but he does seem a bit bipolar. I agree.

Jason Connell:

He made a good point. So and they are partners, and I think we neglected to say that earlier but when Miyagi accepted the lease and he was excited by this idea of making this a business given a drill go. He said what to Daniel,

Sal Rodriguez:

he looked at the lease and he said something missing and Daniel's like, what what? What did I miss? And Mr. Miyagi says, Your name next to mine? Partners? Right? A very sweet moment. I do really love these sweet moments. When people get vulnerable. They open themselves up, they give their generous, they offer. I love that stuff. So yeah, Miyagi invited Daniel to be his partner in this venture that Daniel financed basically. So it definitely is a partnership in every sense of the word.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, they're partners, and we're buddies for life. And I love that we're in this together when he brings a train and he knows he messed up and it's not the best choice, of course, but Miyagi forgives him in an instant. It's great. It's great stuff. And so as they resuscitate the tree, Miyagi revisits the fact that he does not want to train. Daniel,

Sal Rodriguez:

for the whole valley, Miyagi is just dead set against him being in the tournament.

Jason Connell:

And Silver's plans in motion. And Daniel is like, left to his own devices, he's gonna have to do this, because now he's signed this thing. And he's in it. And so now we cut to Daniel and Jessica going for a jog, working out a little bit. And guess who comes driving up and the old truck?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, now you got me thinking here. What if Mr. Miyagi had decided early on to train Daniel? Well, and there goes Karate Kid three, right?

Jason Connell:

That's a good point. But he did ask Daniel as he connected with him, and he just knew that Miyagi was against it. So he just kept pressing. I'm sure if Miyagi was in and they're going to come back for all Valley, the plan would have shifted, no matter what they have Mike Barnes, and they'll hurt him in the tournament. So maybe some of the other nuances or some of the other logistics of it will not be the same.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yes. And by the way, one of many things I love about our podcast is how our personal lives may intertwine. And right there where Jessica and Daniel were jogging was in Santa Monica Ocean Avenue bluffs called Palisades Park. In my years past, particularly when I used to do marathon runs. That was part of my training ground, I would start in Brentwood. I'd run down San facente hit ocean and then run down ocean to Marina del Rey and then turn around back and that was about I think about an eight nine mile route from San Vicente and Brentwood all the way down to Marina del Rey and back running along Ocean Avenue bluffs right where Daniel and Jessica are running right now. There they are running along, Terry Silva shows up in the little truck. So again, this is where you're thinking they're being tailed. Everywhere they go, Daniel, Mr. Miyagi, Jessica. They are being tailed all the time. Now, one thing I definitely noticed about Jessica was those high atop Reeboks again, she's jogging and high atop Reeboks. Was that the 80s Or is it just her choice? Those are the same shoes I believe she used to repel down the shear face. But when Terry silver rose up and they start talking about the the sweep of the leg and he goes oh yeah guys in the tournaments, they always fall for that Sweep the leg

Jason Connell:

and of course As Daniel doesn't know, the leg sweeps in fact, he took Lake sweeps in the first Karate Kid. So leg sweeps are a great thing. Terry's right. But all fighting is important. So I think he has a plan. He's not trying to make Daniel better. He's just trying to show that hey, I can, I can train you over here and I can teach you some things to win a tournament. And by the way, I have a book on leg sweeps and I'll bring it by, he knows it. Miyagi is not helping. So he's just trying to win his his trust a little bit.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, the plan is in motion the evil plan. The Cobra Kai revenge is happening.

Jason Connell:

Exactly. Now we're at Miyagi his house and Daniel's training when Guess who arrives

Sal Rodriguez:

Barnes barges in ready to fight very angry about having the police called on him, although he did mention, you don't have any evidence. And maybe he was right about that. So he's ready to go toe to toe with Daniel right there. And what the viewer will soon learn was that this is part of the larger plan. Right? So in walks, Terry Silva, who bests Mike Barnes right there in front of Daniel so Daniels thinking, oh, man, Terry's my hero in here at this moment. Kicking Mike Barnes is asked right in front of me, kicking them out of the backyard, literally kicking them in the ass as he runs out. Yeah. So yeah, Daniel's standing there like Wow, thanks, man. Thanks for taking care of my nuisance.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, cuz Daniel gets a shot in here and they're on Barnes but then Barnes just overpowers him with knowledge with meanness, he's, he's driven. And he's had a lot more tournament fighting underneath his belt, literally. And yeah, he comes in and saves him. He's like, Oh, my gosh, this guy knows his stuff. He has no problem with this Mike Barnes guy much like Miyagi, but Miyagi refuses to train him. So he's in and he gives him the book. He's like, Oh, wow, thanks so much. So Terry's like this new best friend.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. When Terry arrives. Barnes has Daniel on the ground with his foot on his neck.

Jason Connell:

Yep, exactly. So before Terry leaves, though, he starts teaching him the front leg sweep, and has him do it to him. They teach his Danny how to do it. He knocks tear to the ground. And he says, Oh, wow, you're pretty good. He got strong kick there. You know, and we know Daniel has some moves. But of course terrorist is planted up. Sure. And what does he invite him to do? So

Sal Rodriguez:

he says that if Daniel ever needs that he can approach silver to help with his training.

Jason Connell:

Cobra Kai, it's all different now. It's under new management. And we'd love to have you come by, wow. The Belly of the Beast Sal, the dojo that he wanted to join, and the first movie and had he stayed in class that day, and made amends with Johnny. History would have been different.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And Terry Silva is such a wonderful actor. He has Daniel believing that this is not your old Cobra Kai. No, not your parents Cobra Kai. Now things are different. Now. Chris is dead. I've taken over. I'm going to redeem Cobra Kai and yeah, Daniel is falling for it. hook line and sinker.

Jason Connell:

Yep. Now we cut to Daniel driving and he pulls up and there's Miyagi and Jessica, and they've got all these pots that she's done. And by the way, they're all amazing. They're the logo from the Banzai. That's the Miyagi logo and everything. And then he was like, Yeah, I saw this other day. That's great. Whatever. Hey, can you teach me how to sweep? And of course, what happens now?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, of course, Mr. Miyagi does have a wonderful sense of humor. So when he's asked by Daniel to learn to sweep, Mr. Miyagi leaves, comes back with a broom and starts teaching Daniel, how to sweep

Jason Connell:

literally with a broom and Daniel is having none of it.

Sal Rodriguez:

He's out of there. Very upset, super

Jason Connell:

upset. We should have a drinking game with how many times Daniel loses his temper. In this movie, we would all be quite drunk. So now Daniel goes to the Cobra Kai dojo. Sal, I cannot believe it. Here he is. Terry Silva says, Hey, I'm glad you made it. I got an extra ghee in the closet once you put it on. And the best guy ever. Let's come trained together. And I guess for all intents and purposes, so Daniel's a Cobra Kai right now.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, I have a hard time with that. I mean, yes and no. I mean, he's he's not officially a Cobra Kai, but he is being he's being censored by the founder of Cobra Kai. So, I don't know. I think there's an official initiation to get you an actual membership into Cobra Kai. So I don't know if just being under the tutelage of the founder would would necessarily officially qualified in a court of law.

Jason Connell:

What do they say walks like a duck talks like a duck. I think he's a Cobra Kai right now. Oh my god. So I love that Terry's going And I like saying, there's a three Ds of my dojo, desire, devotion and discipline. Okay. All right. I'll buy that. And then he goes further with his Quicksilver method. Yep. Do you remember what number one is? Rule number one.

Sal Rodriguez:

If a man can't stand, he can't fight.

Jason Connell:

Exactly. And thus begins today's lesson. So Daniel has to kick the Wing Chun wooden dummy. And I'm telling you, Sal, as much as I've trained in martial arts, I've never attacked the wooden dummy. There's one of my dojo now off in the corner, my masters like, oh, no, no, no, we'll get to that. We're not messing with that thing. That thing is tough and gnarly. And it's not where you want to begin your training. So data begins to kick it. And that's got to hurt. I'm hating

Sal Rodriguez:

this dummy, because this is like a crude rendering. It seems it's got cables and wood clamps and metal piping. And it's actually they put like some sort of gardening gloves on it. I mean, is this the way these things are supposed to look because this thing is horrendous.

Jason Connell:

This one looks much worse and gnarly than the one at my dojo and probably for a fact but still, not the best thing to train on unless you really know what you're doing. But that said, Daniel is very new to this. He's never trained like this. He's doing cat does and, and he's doing work and he's waxing on and he's painting the fence and he's not hitting something that's going to hurt you. And he's struggling with it. But you know, Daniel, he's also very determined, and I love that about him. And he hits it a bond and he can barely walk. And then Terry just shows you how advanced he is. Because Sal what does he do to this thing,

Sal Rodriguez:

Terry just demonstrates and knocks the crap out of this thing he bust through he sweeps both legs and then what do you do break through the chest and smash the face on this thing? Right so he shows that it can be done much like a carnival workers who show you how easy it is to make the ball in the basket or to bust the balloon with the Dart. Oh, it's so easy. It's easy for them. So look how easy it was for Terry Silva he makes it look easy but it's definitely not I'm telling you this this dummy this wooden dummy I can't stand this thing.

Jason Connell:

So that ends lesson one and Daniel goes home and he can barely walks out. I mean, he's struggling and Mr. Miyagi, nothing gets by him. Daniel comes in and he's kind of spied on him and he could just tell by the ways walk in and, and he knows and he wants to comfort him. So what happened?

Sal Rodriguez:

The vibe here in this scene is almost like a parent who's suspicious that their kid is on drugs right? Or the spouse suspicious that their spouse is cheating. Definitely something is wrong here and Miyagi definitely sees that. Well, Miyagi wants to help he's he is eternally on Daniel side. He sees that Daniels in pain he takes this herbal powder, Japanese foot powder. Yeah, and you know what? I wish I had that because I have a foot injury right now myself watching this last night thinking I wish I had some of that stuff. I wonder if that actually works. I don't know what that is. I wonder if that is actually tied into Okinawan folklore. Is that an actual thing? Or just for the movie, but in any event, I'm sitting here with my injured foot wishing that I had that concoction. By Miyagi we do know that Miyagi is a healer he does that the hand rubbing together thing remember he did it the valley. Miyagi does have healing energies about him. So this concoction for the foot, I wish I had this thing he gives the

Jason Connell:

annual this concoction and it definitely helps his foot heal. And so now we're back at the Cobra Kai Dojo the following day, and even Silver's, like a your foots better your fast healer. I like that. So props to Mr. Miyagi in his wonderful secret, herbs and spices. And now it's our second lesson, and sow what's Rule number two,

Sal Rodriguez:

rule number two of Quiksilver karate if a man can't breathe, he can't fight. Another true statement.

Jason Connell:

Can't stand can't fight, can't breathe, can't fight. Good points. And today, Daniel again, has to work on the wooden dummy. It's almost like he's gonna work on the punching bag. But it's like okay, now we're not going to be over here. We're gonna go right back over here to the wooden dummy. And here he has an he hates it. And this wooden dummy, as he spins the fake head around. What's on the head.

Sal Rodriguez:

There's a picture of Mike Barnes straight out of the karate magazine that we saw earlier on in the film, straight out of the magazine right there plastered on this wooden dummy. So this wooden dummy now represents Mike Barnes.

Jason Connell:

Exactly. And today's lesson is stowing the elbow. And so Daniel has to do it. Those that elbow against that would over and over. And, of course, when he goes home later, this time, his elbows in pain, but he doesn't want to bother Mr. Miyagi, who's sleeping although Mr. Miyagi knows exactly what's going on as Daniel tiptoes in the room. It's a classic eye opening like I know what he's doing and And so I guess that foot powder also works on elbows, it's foot and elbow powder. And he puts his elbow in there. And then and then what happens is Miyagi decides to get up.

Sal Rodriguez:

Miyagi knocks in the door, says, Daniel, son, and then he's like, oh, yeah, he drops the ball, right is when he drops the bowl of water all over the place, makes a mess. Makes much noise middle of the night.

Jason Connell:

I know you're in there getting high. Let me and what's going on in there? Yeah,

Sal Rodriguez:

exactly what's going on? You smoking the marijuana in there.

Jason Connell:

So it's not that he really is concerned because he knows that he's at another dojo. He's not sure where he's coming home and pain. So he assumes he's learning karate in a way that Mr. Miyagi never wanted down to learn. And Daniel comes out and barks at him. And, you know, he's sad and mad at him for not trained him. This brings Mr. Miyagi to tears. I mean, just not tears, like in the Karate Kid, Part Two, and he lost his father, but just he's upset. This is a tough moment for him. And this very touching.

Sal Rodriguez:

Also, a moment that I don't like seeing because if you listen to what Daniel says when Miyagi asks, What is he doing? And Daniel responds, extreme situations require extreme measures. Well, where do you learn that from? Exactly. He's becoming Terry silver, right before our eyes.

Jason Connell:

I know. So that exchange happens. And now we're back to the third day of training at Cobra Kai dojo. Today's lesson is rule number three. And Sal, what is

Sal Rodriguez:

that rule? If a man can't see he can't fight. Exactly.

Jason Connell:

And so today's lesson is Daniel, punching the wooden dummy. And right where Barnes's photos at but Ponting it is much worse than kicking her elbow in it. What happens is he begins to punch it.

Sal Rodriguez:

As Daniel punches the wooden dummy with Mike Barnes picture on it. He starts to bleed from his knuckles. And now here we are back. When the crease was laying down, getting his massage at Tahiti. He's on the phone with Terry silver. And he says, Make his knuckles bleed. Yes, that is a crease quote. And now here we are. Terry silver, making Daniel's knuckles bleed

Jason Connell:

Terry silver knows how to put a plan together and he knows how to execute it. He even like provokes Daniel like, well, you know what? You want to quit because Daniel is trying to throw in the towel on this wooden dummy a couple of times. He's like, fine, I don't deal with quitters. I'm out. He goes around a wall and you can kind of see him waiting knowing that Dan is going to keep hitting it as is who he is it can't quit. And so Daniel then goes one step further at the end of this lesson. And so what does he do to the wooden dummy,

Sal Rodriguez:

Daniel, unleashing his anger. He shattered the chess boards with his elbow punches through the headboard just as silver has had done earlier. And silver now runs over, celebrates Daniel's achievement high fiving woohoo you did it. So this is now the culmination here of their training with Daniel just whipping this wooden dummies and showing as much power as Silva had earlier. Exactly.

Jason Connell:

He's a beast now a sky. Daniel is a Cobra Kai disciple, which kind of is weird, because he's making him tougher than ever, which would not be in his best interest to fight Barnes but I guess Barnes is still far too advanced for Daniel's. As we know,

Sal Rodriguez:

well, he is teaching him things he is toughening him up. But at the same time he is hurting him. He is harming him. So the suffering is there. So even though he may be able to throw a harder punch or harder kick, he's suffering for it along the way. I remember we haven't even gotten to the tournament yet.

Jason Connell:

And he's putting a big divide between him and Mr. Miyagi by training him. And also he's hurt him financially by wrecking the shop and stealing their tree. So yeah, he's slowly chopping their legs out. He's just having his way with them. And I hate it. I hate how manipulative he is an evil and mean spirited. And you know, he's in control. Complete control right now.

Sal Rodriguez:

I have to say this is just because you're all the world's tied together, Cobra Kai and karate kid. And now here we are waiting on season three of Cobra Kai to come out. And there's a lot of speculation. Oh, Terry silver is going to be back and I don't want Terry Silverback. I do not want this man coming back at all. Sad to say I just had to say it. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

probably no good would come from that. So now Daniel and Jessica, go to the club. It's kind of her send off present, if you will. In fact, he brought it up in an earlier scene. Like I got these two tickets. It'd be a good way to have your last night here and like Get just weird like this relationship friendship is really never fully formed and it's just weird all sudden she's leaving the next day and they're going to go to this club. Okay, fine. But at this club, Silva is there of course lurking and he's putting things together, he's ad libbing as we go. He didn't go there with snake and Dennis and Barnes. He went there on his own. And he begins to infiltrate a new plan. And what is that?

Sal Rodriguez:

As the band sings high wire, the band leaders called Glenn madeiros, Terry comes in with this wonderful planet. He sees this young man getting into a fight with his girlfriend, the girlfriend runs off or maybe not as girlfriend, just a young woman, they get into a fight she runs to

Jason Connell:

hear what she says. She says Get out of my way, white boy. Yes, but

Sal Rodriguez:

yeah, I've never heard that and was surprised to hear that and completely forgot about until you mentioned it. So you have very funny. So his plan is to make this guy that he just discovered Terry just discovered this guy who fights with this girl, make him come on to Jessica, right to make Daniel mad to then make Daniel the aggressor in this scene. And that's exactly what happens. So this guy comes along, grabs Jessica, and he says, quote, I'm taking her home. Daniel flips out. And you know what, I think he was completely in the right and justified in this instance, he punches the guy right in the nose. I'm surprised the guy wasn't knocked out based on Dan, you're just tearing up a wooden dummy in the previous scene. But this guy falls down. And everyone knows his nose is broken. And then Terry grabs Daniel, and they run off, they hightail it out of there. And of course, Terry Silva makes Daniel think that he's actually you know, trying to protect him. Let's get out of here before the police come before security comes. Let's get out of here. And then they run off the kind of make it to an alleyway. And then Daniel decides to then continue running off and he runs were back to Miyagi, is that where it goes,

Jason Connell:

actually? Then he goes to Jessica's House who's packing because he wants to make amends. But just very quickly, back to the guy that Terry silver hired at the club. His name in the movie was Rudy. But do you know that was played by Gabriel Jarrett? Who was Mitch from the classic film, real genius. He was the lead kid, the smart kid of that movie, which had Val Kilmer in it. It was a great movie. And yeah, I was like, I recognize that guy. And that's who that was.

Sal Rodriguez:

Speaking of that guy. As Terry and Daniel are running out of the club. We hear that guy say, where's that guy with my money? Explaining Terry Terry, we're supposed to pay this guy to do this little acting job. cost him a broken nose. Of course. Terry doesn't give him anything.

Jason Connell:

never paid him. Wow. Terry can also be a cheapskate sometimes are all the time. So Daniels at Jessica's and he shares with her and he apologizes. He's got this guy's blood all over his shirt. That's not who he is his character and, and she comforts him. She knows that he's upset. He shares about how he feels Miyagi should disown him for how he's acted. And so it's really touching. She's there for him. And Sal, if I'm not mistaken, is this the last time we see Jessica?

Sal Rodriguez:

So yeah, this is their last night together. And you know what? Okay, throw out what I said earlier complaining about there was no blossoming romance because what what we see here is we see a genuine, nice platonic friendship, right? And that's okay. No, it's totally fine. There they are at her place. She is being a kind and supportive friend on her final night in town, gives him some some reassurance lifts him up, lets him cry on her shoulder, if you will. And he says, Thank you. And that's it. Yeah, that's the last time that we see Jessica,

Jason Connell:

I'll just say this. It's not a bad thing. I agree with you. It didn't need to be another movie with another love interest. But honestly, I would have been interested to see just bear with me. If Jessica's character wasn't in the movie, and you just brought Daniel's mother in the movie. And she was that person, his other confidant during this tough time, kind of rekindling what the first movie was, and we couldn't get to know her character a little bit more because she balances them out in another way. And I think they could have done that. I wish they had tried and finesse that just just my opinion, but then

Sal Rodriguez:

would he have gone rappelling into the devil's cauldron with his mother?

Jason Connell:

No, he wouldn't have done that with her. And you know what, maybe that scene doesn't even happen.

Sal Rodriguez:

But you need to have a buddy and you need to you need to have a buddy besides Miyagi, and they didn't go with the love, love interest. So yeah, there you go. They went with the Platonic female friend. And you know what, I liked her? I'm not no, she's

Jason Connell:

fine. She's fine. Yeah, yeah. I just want more of the mother. I'm sorry. You know, I think they had a great thing. They had great scenes. They think alike and you could see where he gets some of his energy and spontaneity from and you know, just more of her what I've taken some of the edge off here and there, but you're right, they would not have repelled together. Maybe that would have been a solo mission, if at all. But anyway, just a little insight. And now he goes home to talk to Miyagi. And he says some really sweet things here. He goes home and Miyagi has repaired the tree sow, it's just phenomenal. He brought it back to life. And then he talks about how the roots were strong in the tree. And how Daniel has strong roots. And it's just, you know, really touching moments because he can tell what he feels for Daniel, despite his flaws, and all of us have them. But he really sees the real core of Daniel and by the way, I should let him off the hook a little bit. He is just a teenager at this point in time. Yeah, we're all crazy teens, we all have major mood swings, ups and downs in the world is just so big for us to conquer that age. And so, Miyagi can just see he's a good man. And I think this seems really touching

Sal Rodriguez:

when I was a teenager, a memory of very similar to what you just said, I was once in my bedroom trying to pump up my bicycle tire. And it for some reason, it wasn't working, the valve stem was messed up, or the pump was messed up, was unsuccessful. But I became very upset and grabbed that pump and threw it at my bedroom mirror. Now, would I do that today? Would I throw a bicycle pump at my bedroom here today? No. But I did it then. And I don't know why

Jason Connell:

we overreacted to things. And that's what he's doing. But it's easy for me to look at this now and point out some of the inconsistencies. But, you know, for a teenager Yeah, they're gonna have their ups and downs. And Miyagi is very even keel. And I liked the scene a lot. And it really changed Daniels opinion, like, yeah, I don't like who I'm becoming. He's really sad about what he did to that guy. He's like, That's not me. I'm being rewired. He recognizes that but he's gonna go to Cobra Kai. Right then in there. And Mr. Miyagi is like, do you want to go in the morning? No, yeah. Because this is Daniel. I'm going to go right now. It's got to be done. I got myself in this mess. And we get myself out. I'm gone. He reacts, he reacts to everything. So he's off to the dojo to opt out of the all Valley and also, I guess, does not be a pupil there anymore. And what happens now,

Sal Rodriguez:

Daniel shows up, which I think it's odd for him to assume that, like, why would your karate instructor be at a dojo? And what was this like? What is it like midnight, one in the morning? Why would he be there and yet he is there. So Daniel arrives at the dojo and out walks, Terry silver, he's there, wearing his GI wearing the black Cobra Kai Gi. And Daniel is trying to say, Hey, thanks for your help. I appreciate it. I'm out. I don't want to train anymore. It's at this moment now. Where Silva lets Daniel in on the whole scheme. He lets him know what is really going down. He starts laughing, laughing and Daniel's face. And this is where Daniels like incredulous at this like What do you mean? Like what the hell's going on? Out walks, Mike Barnes from the rear wing. And this is where Daniel goes, Oh, okay. Now as he was happening here, standing in front of them is Terry Silva, with Mike Barnes At the Dojo,

Jason Connell:

but yet it goes one step further. Yes. Back from the dead crease emerges and he doesn't just emerge, he comes from behind his own standee of crease. And he has this great look on his face. He's got his snarl if you will. And Daniel looks as if he seen a ghost and his own mind. He has, and he's terrified. But all the pieces come together. And he is in the belly of the beast, and it's not a good situation for him.

Sal Rodriguez:

He is literally in a snake pit surrounded by Cobras. Yeah, alone. It does not look good. And it's the middle of the night.

Jason Connell:

So the plan is not for all of them to attack Daniel. Mike Barnes goes in and you know, kind of spars with him, but he's roughing him up like he did it Mr. Miyagi little trees when he bested him that night. And it's kind of funny because it's so bad that Terry says, do the crane daddy boy, and there is laughing and laughing and watching barns beat him up. And then eventually Daniel just runs out of the front of the building to get out of there because that's his only saving grace. But then Sal's, he does that. And Barnes runs after him. What happens?

Sal Rodriguez:

Moments later, Barnes is thrown back into the dojo and who do we see behind them having thrown them in Mr. Miyagi,

Jason Connell:

our superhero? Yeah,

Sal Rodriguez:

Miyagi shows up like Superman. Kicks, Barnes's, as throws him back into the dojo and then is ready to take on both crease and silver.

Jason Connell:

So Miyagi actually knocks back ARNs out, and on the way down to the ground Barnes hits the light switch and the lights go out. So it's a much darker Cobra Kai Dojo as they begin to circle each other.

Sal Rodriguez:

I do consider it. The first of two bloopers in this scene though, Jason. So when Barnes hits the wall, his arm hits the light switches and turns off the lights in the room. However, I did watch the scene twice, pausing both times. And the light switches were actually unaffected. So our crew shut out the lights, but Barnes did not officially shut out the lights with his arms to continuity error, I guess I would say so. I should have been on that set. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

so now I like that it's crease and silver circling him. But then Chris says What Sal? He says we're old friends. Yes, and he steps up, and it's crease. First Miyagi, which hasn't happened since the beginning of Karate Kid part two. And that was their one and only time going toe to toe with each other fact they met at this very dojo, and the Karate Kid. He came in with the annual and they decided to fight the valley. So here we are, back to where it all began their relationship and so what happens

Sal Rodriguez:

I don't know why I would have expected any decent fight out of crease after what happened in karate kid too. And I was not disappointed because crease goes down so damn easy. A couple of maneuvers by Miyagi and creases is down for the count.

Jason Connell:

He slides him across the mat which I love he just flings them and he goes sliding across the mat like it's a slip and slide so great.

Sal Rodriguez:

It was embarrassing and now Miyagi is about to go toe to toe with Terry silver and I'm expecting maybe a bit more and he does he's Bruce Lee. And he does his yeah mocking of both Bruce Lee and Miyagi you know kind of a racist type of thing Nicholas Yeah. And then well he goes down easy to my God does anybody know how to find in this in these movies? Besides Miyagi?

Jason Connell:

No and when he beats him What does he do

Sal Rodriguez:

then Miyagi gives them the Bruce Lee voice back oh he so then now he turns the tables and he mocks him and that was really cute and you know what? Yeah, Miyagi does have a sense of humor. Remember at the time he did the hog on the nose in the parking lot of crease and now he does a whole back so so you know what? Miyagi is spiritually evolved as he is he will give these little teases and digs he will

Jason Connell:

we should point out the fact that Terry silver goes flying into the mirrors and they break and then paint falls on to him

Sal Rodriguez:

two cans of paint fall on Terry silver and here's the second blooper in this scene. When they go back to Terry silver again from a different angle. Only one of his shoulders has paint on and that's the left one whereas just moments earlier bowls shoulders have painted a

Jason Connell:

good spot. And I love how even in defeat they just come off so pompous and arrogant. I mean, literally all three of them were bested. And then he Augie walks out and it's like, oh yeah, we're gonna open up Cobra Kai Dojo is all over and we're still the winners and we might even teach for free kind of reminds me of Daniel in Cobra Kai when he says you know, Miyagi dough Dojo for free. Kind of a little little touch there a little tip of the cap there. And it's like this diabolical laugh from silver and crease and Barnes is a he's he's still groggy but he's just kind of sitting down holding his head or something. And then in there, Sal, Miyagi has seen enough. And it's time to train Daniel.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. Now Daniel ask if Miyagi will training for the tournament. Miyagi says hi. Which means yes.

Jason Connell:

And so now, it is like a rocky for training montage, which also reminds me of season two, episode nine Pulpo of Cobra Kai, when you had Samantha and Tori training, and you cut back and forth, well, that's what's happening here. You're seeing Daniel Miyagi doing kados and training, while Barnes is training with silver and crease at the dojo, different styles converging. It's caught us out the beach, Cobra Kai sparring. I love these types of things.

Sal Rodriguez:

I personally would rather do kados on an ocean cliff, then hit bricks in a building and but that's exactly what's happening here. I mean, Barnes is smashing bricks with his hands.

Jason Connell:

Yes. After the montage. We're back at Devil's cauldron. And this time Sal, what is happening? Well,

Sal Rodriguez:

this is a return it to its home. They grab the bonsai they take it back into the devil's cauldron to replant this very special bonsai tree a little comical

Jason Connell:

that it's Miyagi and Daniel. I laugh at the fact that it could have been him and his mother and there was no Jessica but here we are. Daniel's done this once we know Miyagi is done at once. They're not experts. As far as we know. This is

Sal Rodriguez:

where I realized that this bonsai tree is kind of symbolic of voodoo Annual like the journey of the tree is Daniel's journey. They're kind of symbolic of one another. Even Mr. Miyagi does the parallel when he talks about the tree, that tree, choose how it grow? So must you choose how grow and I went back in time in my mind as a young man. And even today, it's no different really, I do believe that in human potential. You choose your path, you choose your thoughts, you choose your behavior, you choose the feelings you want to delve into and indulge in. And so yeah, you make the choice. And so he realizes now and Daniel realize that he gets to choose what kind of man he is to become.

Jason Connell:

Exactly. And then Miyagi says, Miyagi, have great faith in you understand? And Daniel stills one of Miyagi zone terms, and he says, Hi. And that's a great moment as well. I really do. I mean, besides them dangling over the cliff, on the rappelling, I love the scene. And yes, what you just said was right on, I totally agree. And this bonds represents a lot of that, and I have a huge affection for Banzai, not just because of this movie, because what they represent, and I know that you're closely related with him as well, due to your brother in law, I believe he's a bonsai master, if I'm not mistaken. Oh, yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

Matter of fact, I will be seeing my brother in law this week, and I'll be seeing his bonsai garden. And I actually do aim to come back with one or two bonsai trees on this visit, and please take a photo

Jason Connell:

for us. I definitely will. And we could post it for everyone to see. So now we are at the All Valley karate tournament under 18. Maybe, and Barnes is doing a growing shot and loses the point. And he's fighting some random guy. We don't know who he is. But I thought it was interesting right there. They set the tone on growing shot, lose a point and then he wins a point. And he wins the match. That goes against what we saw in the Karate Kid. You could get D cute in the Karate Kid Dutch Kids D cute I believe Tommy got the kid when he hurt Daniel and then he was nearly out of the whole tournament. So it's weird that now you lose points. That was never something that happened right?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well remember though this has to be this way for Terry Silver's plan to take place and that plan is score a point lose a point score a point lose a point let Daniel suffer when you reach Sudden Death you're gonna be at 00 and then that's when you when it's a very risky plan. I was

Jason Connell:

unaware that it was the all Valley Way. Like I go in and I clobber a guy you lose a point and then I score in a reasonable fashion a legal action and I get a point. Of course all the new rules will all Valley are confusing anyway. So now we see snake and he sporting this Cobra Kai shirt not to believe in a cool shirt like this tight yellow shirt that like there's not a lot of Cobra Kai's and it's just Mike Barnes. It's not the Cobra Kai from old. He's the one student Daniel was for a hot second. But it's just like Cobra, Kai groupies, and snake and Dennis. Right?

Sal Rodriguez:

Possibly Cobra groupies, but in this instance, I think more of a Daniel Russo groupie right over Daniel shoulder before he starts fighting when we hear Terry Silva get on the microphone and deliver his speech. Right over Daniel's shoulder is Garth Johnson. And I saw this kid I said who is this kid? What Why does that kid look familiar in the bleachers. And that's the same kid that asked for an autograph. The beginning of Karate Kid to when Daniel walks out of the valley with his trophy and the two little kids run up and ask for autographs one of those kids Garth Johnson that I've previously speculated maybe Pat Johnson son, or just a coincidence that his name is Johnson but that's the same kid Garth Johnson listed here in this movie a spectator number one back in Karate Kid to listen as autograph fans so he was right behind Daniel supporting Daniel. So in that instance, LORUSSO groupie there

Jason Connell:

should also point out that Pat E. Johnson is the referee again, the official and you have rehearse now takes over for the intros and he introduces Terry Silva of Dinah talks industries, who then welcomes John crease who is alive and well. And the Cobra Kai dojo, and even talks about how the Cobra Kai Dojo is, you're going to open up all over and they stand for honesty, compassion and fair play.

Sal Rodriguez:

Hmm, yeah.

Jason Connell:

I'm not too sure about that. Terry. So then Terry does share his plan, which you just spoke on. When a point lose a point in your right. It's very risky, because anything can happen. It's just I've never heard of this type of scoring. You score a point or you don't, they would never allow you to do two or three dirty things to have those points deducted. Right? You might get away with it once. You may get away with it twice. But then you're de cued man. So again, this plan could have easily been foiled. Had the officials been on it as as

Sal Rodriguez:

a fan of present day UFC when it comes to things like growing up Got accidental groin shots, accidental eye pokes. They seem to kind of let you screw up repeatedly. I mean, when John Jones former light heavyweight champ would fight, he would notoriously poke his his opponents. So when it comes to these illegal moves that cost your point, it seems like there's a reservoir of how many you can get.

Jason Connell:

Let's not forget the fact that these are kids are teenagers. This isn't a professional fight. This is an under eight teen tournament.

Sal Rodriguez:

This is like Bugsy Malone, we're all the kids are like adults now. Their kids living as adults.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, exactly. So now the fight is on. And Barnes is up. One nothing. He's got a quick score on Daniel. And then he does his patented growing shot. Hurts Daniel back to 00. And this DQ warning, so I thought okay, it's good to hear a warning. So it does exist still. So then Daniel avoids a flurry of punches. Sal. So he's, you know, he's hanging in there. He's learned some things. He's getting better at defense against a much stronger opponent. But ultimately, he takes a stomach shot. And it's back to one nothing.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, he was looking really good. He was avoiding a lot of shots. He was ducking, he was bobbing and weaving. He was moving about his defense, the old Miyagi approach of Don't Be there when they punch you. He was doing great. And then yeah, all of a sudden, boom, right in the stomach. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

he got him but he's doing better than he had done with barns and his last two chances. And then at one Oh, I mean, this is about as illegal as it gets, like a sucker punch right to the chin after the break. It's back to 00. But so how do you not DQ this action right here? I mean, that was terrible.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. When there are punches after the bell I would imagine that's automatic. disqualification. Absolutely. You're not even legitimately fighting within the confines of the fight. You're not fighting outside of the fight. So yeah, you're gone. You're gone.

Jason Connell:

It reminded me of Miguel and Robbie and the all Valley in Cobra Kai. When Miguel really hurt Ravi and probably could have got DQ but it was almost kind of hidden people couldn't see him Yanka is his hurt arm remember that? Yeah, see? Yeah. And this is kind of that but this was a straight punch miss how you really hurt someone much like in Million Dollar Baby. She got punched after the bell and then fell down because she was out cold she took a shot one lucky and then she broke her neck on her stool, which is completely sad but this is what happens when someone's not looking and no one's looking out for them. I mean, Daniel really could have been hurt there so in my opinion, ballgame right there. But it continues and this excites silver increased so much because the plan is working Daniel's taking a beating he's getting he's getting Sucker Punched even after the normal beating and is in more pain so like their master plan is completely coming to fruition.

Sal Rodriguez:

And at one moment, Terry increase look over and see Miyagi looking defeated and they are big time happy to see this.

Jason Connell:

Oh, yeah. Barnes is doing all these kicks, multiple times, no scores, lot of combat but you can hit someone but if it's not like a point the fight continues, if you will. And then the buzzer sounds and we are in sudden deaths now. Here we are. Yeah, 00 Exactly where Cobra Kai wants. Daniel is hurt. And he's so hurt that he doesn't even want to get off the mat and keep going.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, then, Jason, let me ask you since you've expressed your opinions on rules, what are your opinions on sudden death?

Jason Connell:

I have no problem with sudden death in any sports, overtime or sudden death, if you will. And soccer for instance, there's golden goal. The first goal and overtime is a winner. I have no problem if something goes to extra innings or I actually like that the stakes are really raised that point. Yeah. Yep, very suspenseful. And it's there not to drag on too much longer. Sure. So Miyagi comes over. And he's giving encouragement to Daniel Daniels doesn't want to be there anymore. He's just he did all he could but he knows he can't beat this guy. And I love what Miyagi says. So he says, it's okay to lose to an opponent. must not lose to fear. Yeah, great. Stay focused. Your best karate still inside. Now time to let out. Oh my god, that almost brings tears to my eyes.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And you know, when you add up a lot of what Miyagi has said in this movie, in particular, all these nuggets of wisdom. I think Miyagi probably kick more knowledge in this one than for sure maybe more than Karate Kid to maybe even more than the Karate Kid but he's kicking knowledge in this movie.

Jason Connell:

And then of course, Barnes comes over and baraitser him, like you saw your teacher sucks, but he's taking what Miyagi said and letting that kind of run through him. He's not even listening to barnes at this point in time. And he was right Barnes is a better fighter, but he was letting fear play a part of that. And I gotta say, seeing this again last night, Sal, I love this next scene that's about to happen. And I don't know how you feel about it right now, because we've not talked about it since Yeah, prepping for this episode. Sure. But unlike the original Karate Kid, on, now's about the time, he would get in the crane, and get ready for Johnny to advance. This time he starts to do what so

Sal Rodriguez:

he starts to do a Kata right there on the mat in front of everybody. Everybody's looking at him. Like, what the hell's he doing? Especially Barnes Barnes is like, what am I seeing here? And of course, remember, this is what Terry says, You're not going to win a tournament with contests. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

he does say that. Right.

Sal Rodriguez:

So everybody is looking at Daniel, like, What the hell is this guy doing?

Jason Connell:

And Bill Conti, his music is starting to come in. And it's becoming a classic scene that it's like we're used to we need something big to happen here. And I liked the way Barnes is also just a bit confused. He doesn't know if he should charge and, and Terry's saying get the point. Get the point. You know, get in there and get the point. When is it a silver time? Yeah. But he's he's taken off his game. Barnes is not used to this.

Sal Rodriguez:

Do you think this is one of these moments where you kind of hypnotize your opponent? I've seen it in, in mixed martial arts with some of my favorite fighters. I really think some of these guys like Anderson Silva, some of these legends, in mixed martial arts, at the peak of their careers, kind of able to literally get in people's heads and hypnotize them. Where the other person is just confused as to what the hell is even happening.

Jason Connell:

Now, you're absolutely right. And someone who's so used to things a certain way, here's something he's never seen before. I mean, Barnes we've already established the fact that he's on the national circuit, if you will, he's fought in a lot of tournaments. He's never seen this. And Daniel, I love the fact that he's so centered and so confident. And we saw some of this with Robbie and Cobra Kai in one moment where he kind of started doing a Kata to get to get re centered and I love seeing this. It's like a great defense. If he comes in. He's so aware. He's so dialed into the moment which Daniel taught the young Miyagi dough students, if you recall, number them in the freezer, like Dimitri, like be in the moment be there anything comes at you, and your energy's just all flowing the right way. And that's where Daniel is right now at the most critical time. Thank goodness, he's there. And yeah, Barnes is like, what? He's discombobulated. What do I do? Yeah. So Sal, what happens next?

Sal Rodriguez:

Barnes goes in for a punch. Daniel grabs his arm, flips them over, gets him on his back, grabs him by the arm and gives them a shot to the ribs, scoring the point in sudden death. Victorious. Daniel Russo wins the all Valley again. Wow. Amazing. Yeah, so Daniel now wins back to back titles. He won the 84. And now he wins the nice 85 All Valley under 18 tournament.

Jason Connell:

Amazing. Only matching, Johnny Lawrence's back to back Championship from 82 and 83. Unreal. Now, I still have issues with Daniel only fighting one fight, and technically only getting one point. But he is the champion under these rules. And in fact, he probably should have been the champion much sooner because barns should have been D queued more than once. Sure.

Sal Rodriguez:

But yeah, now that you mentioned it, Daniel becomes all Valley champion again, with one point. Amazing, amazing. He really earned it. And at for that, I will say that. He went through a lot of Cobra guys. So the crowd is going nuts. Silver increased storm off as the crowd is cheering wildly for Daniel. And the movie ends with Daniel telling Miyagi to forget about bowing and gives him a hug. We've never seen Daniel and Mr. Miyagi hug. So a very special moment because, you know, normally they bow to each other. That is the tradition. That is how Miyagi trained Daniel, bowing, which, by the way, I love bowing, I really do, especially in this era, as opposed to handshakes. But yeah, they go in for the hug and we have a wonderful long hug shared by Daniel and a sensei Mr. Miyagi.

Jason Connell:

And their typical Karate Kid fashion, it freezes and then we fade to black. Nice. You make a good point, even earlier in the film, when they became partners and they're at the little tree shop. Daniel runs to Mr. Miyagi to hug him. And Miyagi insisted on a bow. So yeah, you're right. He broke his own rule here, which was wonderful. And really quickly, I want to also add the fact that Terry Silva immediately disappears, but crease, he's so mad and there's throwing these Cobra Kai shirts Add them these yellow shirts that snakes wearing that Dennis is wearing. But Silver's gone, and we've never seen him since. But that is it. That is the end of the trilogy. But it still leaves lots of questions because silver is still rich sell, yet still very rich. That never changed. And what happened the Cobra Kai Dojo expansion was crease, is the fact that they lost the all Valley means it's foiled. Like, really? They could still open up all these dojos but I guess is that it for Terry? Like, ah, my plan was so perfect. It was right there at the edge. And then Barnes didn't score. That's it. I'm done. I got other stuff to do. I have countries to run I have nuclear waste to hide. It makes no sense.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, if you look at this horrible plot this evil plot, it was up to barnes in the end to bring that plan home. He did not deliver, I would not want to face the wrath of Terry silver.

Jason Connell:

That's true. And I just want to bring up this last point. Silver obviously paid the all Valley dues that were due by Cobra Kai, because they're in the tournament, right? Yeah. But what did silver crease and barns do to get Cobra Kai band of which Johnny had to get reinstated on Cobra Kai? Was it the strategy that got them banned that get appoint get Dr. point when in overtime but then to actually last? Surely not because the officials are ruling that they could have DQ at Barnes if they wanted to, and they chose not to much like they did Cobra Kai students in the Karate Kid. So what happened? Because I don't know if that was ever cleared up, or am I just missing it? No, I

Sal Rodriguez:

think this is going to have to go the way of how did Daniel get his room at Miyagi his house built while they were in Okinawa? It's as they say in the Catholic Church. It's a mystery minutes question

Jason Connell:

for Robert Mark came in the writer, or even rough maggio if we get him on the podcast are Patty Johnson, he might know. But beyond that really enjoyable film. I actually did enjoy it much more this viewing prepping for this podcast. Yes, I had some major eye rolls and I take issue with some things. And it's an imperfect movie. But anytime you get to see Mr. Miyagi and Daniel Russo. It's a wonderful thing. So they have wonderful chemistry. It's like a perfect buddy picture. I really wish we had even more.

Sal Rodriguez:

Also, props to their acting. I mean, these guys are tremendous actors, Ralph macho in this role. Noriyuki Pat and Rita in this role. They're acting is fantastic. They're so good. Absolutely. I just want to bring up three quick things here. little nuggets here. Listed as dance choreographer, Paula Abdul. Oh, yeah, neat extras cast dancing at the club. I think I think it's got to be that's the only place I think, extras casting disc casting. I have worked for disk casting in years past night. And I know you and I have talked about a theme song is what is the theme song of this movie. I believe the theme song is listen to your heart as played at the closing credits. And listen to your heart is by Little River Band.

Jason Connell:

All right. Not quite the same punch is the first music. But hey, it's the third one and typically sell the third film in a trilogy is not usually the strongest. In fact, it's very often the weakest. It's absolutely the weakest, and the Karate Kid. But still, it's enjoyable. It has its moments. And some of the things continue on into Cobra Kai world and beyond. So it's a must watch. If you're a fan of Cobra Kai, and where this franchise is going. It's an absolute must watch. I can't say the same for The Next Karate Kid, or the remake The Karate Kid. We're going to watch him. We're going to talk about him. We're gonna have podcast about him. Because it'd be fun, enjoyable for everybody. But I'd say this one is a must watch. I didn't say that. When we started this podcast adventure. I said, Hey, watch the first one because in my heart that was set at all. And then I figured Cobra Kai that we'll just pick it up from there. But as we got in there, we realize, oh, no, there's lots of little things that are coming from the second the third one, so I stand corrected. All three are a must watch.

Sal Rodriguez:

When it comes to this trilogy, there's only one thing I would I would change. If I could change if I could wave a magic wand. I would make Karate Kid to number three and I would make Karate Kid three. Number two, I would switch them. And personally because I love karate kid too, so much. This movie was sort of a letdown after Karateka two verses I think it would have been a better build. If you would have had this one is Karate Kid two and then build up to two as three. So you would have had them and this trilogy and Okinawa. That way would have been bigger. They've entered a larger world because what we did is we opened up the world and then we shrink the world again. I would have rather just opened up the world and there we are in Okinawa. Our there in the in the beautiful Pacific. So that's the only thing I would have done otherwise. Yeah, here we are we reached the end of this trilogy. Thank you, Jason, I really want to give you a public Thank you. You've you've taken me on a on a whirlwind. You invited me into this Cobra Kai Karate Kid world. And I, I have absolutely no regrets. Thank you.

Jason Connell:

You're very welcome. Thank you for your time energy, comparing the ship and sticking with it as we go forward, and continue to make episodes for our fans. And lastly, on your point, if you're going to flip them around, you'd have to take off the beginning of Karate Kid two, and slap it on the beginning of credit card three, which would then be credited to if I'm not mistaken. Yes,

Sal Rodriguez:

yeah, exactly.

Jason Connell:

Okay. All right. So that's it. It was a wonderful time. We're super excited. We made it through the trilogy. And we're looking forward to tackling the other movies. The Next Karate Kid, the remake of The Karate Kid, I know Sal super excited about the animated series. So whatever that is, we may or may not venture down that path we'll see. But thank you so much for listening and we'd greatly appreciate it if you could subscribe rate and review us wherever you get your podcast.

Sal Rodriguez:

You can also follow us on social media at let's talk Cobra Kai and please message us if you have any comments or questions.

Jason Connell:

If you'd like to become a patreon supporter of the show, just search for let's talk Cobra Kai and if you're curious about our other shows, please visit just curious media.com

Sal Rodriguez:

No Mercy.

Jason Connell:

So thank you so much for listening and please be sure to subscribe to the let's talk movies podcast as well as the let's talk movies YouTube Live Channel. You can also really help us by giving the show a five star rating on Apple podcast. And for all your listeners that enjoy sharing your thoughts you can leave us a review on Apple podcast, send us a direct message or post a comment on any let's talk movies social media platform. We also highly recommend checking out our other podcast and visiting just curious media.com

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