Season 3 has the cast all trying to pick up their lives after the momentous events of the last season's finale. I'm happy to say that the show remains great.
You get the same effective mix of karate, comedy, and pulpy character drama. The characters' storylines are more segmented, which I felt helped. There are more events going, plus the show avoids focusing too hard on and dragging out plot points. The over-the-top teenage drama works a lot better here than last season because it's use feels more economical. Though, I admit that not every part has a chance to breathe. (Budding psychotic karate girl Tory Nichols (Peyton List) feels particularly underused).
Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka) remains the core of the story and its main draw. However, I felt Daniel LaRusso, who's always been the secondary protagonist, was given a lot better material this season, including what is his best and most emotional scene in the show. What helps this season is that it's slowed down Johnny and Daniel's rivalry, which admittedly was the original drive of the show, but you can only extend reasons for them disliking each other for so long. This gives the guys more time for their own stories and actual growth.
This season, evil karate sensei John Kreese (Martin Kove) is written better and bear in mind that I rather liked him last season. He takes center stage, having gotten what he wants and no longer having to be subtle, and he is a wonder to watch. The man is just fascinatingly horrible and manipulative, especially how he's obsessed over something as small picture as teaching teenagers karate. Yet, this season manages to make you understand where he's coming from and how someone so twisted is the hero in his own story. This is basically Kreese Begins as we learn about his time in Vietnam, and the backstory is effective. Kove, WHO IS IN HIS 70'S!, still does a great job of being intimidating.
Stingray, the man-child, one adult student in Cobra Kai, and the biggest mistake of season 2, is gratefully cut. The guy was just too comical as compared to everyone else and his presence always felt forced. Unfortunately, Aisha (Nichole Brown) is cut this season because the writers were having trouble fitting her in. This is too bad since she was one of the more prominent Cobra Kai members. On the plus side, this season does manage to bring back some recurring characters they didn't have time for last season.
If there is any major issue, it is the same one that has popped up before, but is far, FAR more prevalent here: the fact that no one ever calls the cops for very obvious crimes. I mean the show has always suspended belief, but belief is in a coma because it got hit over the head one too many times. (The show does do a good job of showing actual and logical consequences for the fallout of last season.)
Overall, another great season. I'd ranked it below season 1 and above season 2.
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