Youtube Originals-turned-Netflix's Cobra Kai doesn't bring out the nostalgia simply with its original cast appearances and 1980's soundtrack. A good reboot needs to ooze with memories for its primary audience, not just with familiar faces, but with subtle Easter eggs that only diehards will catch.
In season 4 of Cobra Kai, we're given an endless amount of references and callbacks to the Karate Kid franchise in the form of character quotes, music nods, karate moves — and sometimes even a sort-of product placement — that will leave any fan of the movies in their glory (of love).
Eli Uses A Famous Daniel LaRusso Quote
After his harsh breakup with Moon in season 2, Eli finally has another run-in with his ex in season 4. After sharing a sweet moment in the hall, he's left pining for her beside Demetri. But when Demetri informs him that Moon and her girlfriend have been broken up for weeks, Eli follows Demetri down the hall saying, "One week? Five weeks? How many weeks is weeks?"
Only eagle-(fang)-eyed viewers may have caught this direct quote from the first Karate Kid movie, originally said by Daniel in response to Ali telling him things have been over between her and Johnny for "weeks."
Peter Cetera Is Badass
Johnny makes his love of 80's rock no secret, especially to his protégé Miguel, teaching him all the musical stylings of Scorpions and Whitesnake. But on a little driving lesson with Mr. LaRusso, Miguel learns of softer 80's bands, like Chicago, to which Miguel responds, "Who's Chicago?"
But the reference doesn't end there. When Miguel later runs into Johnny, he asks why he never told him about Chicago, listing off their hits like "Glory of Love," then goes on to say, "Peter Cetera's badass!" The song "Glory of Love," co-written and performed by Cetera, notably plays during the end credits of Karate Kid II.
The Daniel Fund
The Daniel Fund dates back to the Karate Kid film franchise, first mentioned in Karate Kid II when Daniel blows the college savings on his trip to Okinawa with Mr. Miyagi. Then in Karate Kid III, after he won the money back in an ice-breaking contest in the second movie, the Daniel Fund is used again for Daniel's bonsai tree store endeavor.
It acts as a fun hint to the movies when Daniel tells Miguel all about his careless ways of the Daniel Fund while letting the worried teen know he turned out all right despite never going to college.
The Beer Bottle Chop
When foes-turned-friends-turned-foes-again-turned-friends-again Daniel and Johnny attempt to teach each other their different karate styles, Daniel instructs Johnny to wax the floor and paint the house. But when Johnny becomes fed up with Daniel's teachings and breaks for a beer, insulting Daniel's choice of Blue Moon, Daniel proves his prowess by chopping the top of Johnny's beer bottle off in one swing.
This move was originally done by Mr. Miyagi in the first movie. When a group of guys carelessly leave their beer bottles on his truck, Mr. Miyagi whacks out some Miyagi-Do lessons when he chops off the tops of three bottles in a single motion.
Another One Climbs The Fence
When newcomer Kenny is catphished and lured to a park by Anthony LaRusso and his troublemaking buddies, he makes a run for it before they have the chance to do any physical harm. Being chased by Anthony and friends, Kenny manages to climb over a fence to escape the bullies.
This was a clear nod to the moment in Karate Kid when Daniel attempts to hop a fence to escape Johnny and the other Cobra Kais. And double points for Kenny doing it dressed in cosplay, similarly to how Daniel jumped the fence partly-dressed in his shower Halloween costume.
Carrie Underwood's Moment Of Truth
One of the most unexpected twists in season 4 was Carrie Underwood's random guest appearance. Dressed in red and black as if she's rooting for Eagle Fang, the American Idol winner serenades the All Valley crowd with a performance of "Moment of Truth" by Survivor.
The song memorably plays during the end credits of Karate Kid, performed and composed by Survivor specifically for the film after the success of their song "Eye of the Tiger" in Rocky III.
Terry Silver's Waste Scandal
One school day when Demetri and Eli head down the hall talking about Cobra Kai's new sensei, Terry Silver, Demetri shows Eli what he found when going on a deep dive into Silver. Shown on Demetri's tablet is a write-up on the former DynaTox Industries owner, and Demetri reveals all he could find was information on a toxic waste scandal in Borneo back in the 80's.
This scandal was mentioned in Karate Kid III, when Silver sits in a bubble bath with a phone to his ear asking the person on the other end, "What do you mean you can't dump it in Borneo?" and goes on to talk about chloride sludge.
Kamen Estate Wines
This is less of a reference to the Karate Kid movies and more of a shout-out to their creator. Robert Mark Kaman, writer of all three films, is also a known winemaker and owner of Kamen Estate Wines in California since 1980.
Season 4 of Cobra Kai gives a little shout out to Kamen and his vineyard when Terry Silver is in his wine cellar where he reveals he's still got the moves, kicking a bottle of Kamen wine across the room. A wooden box labeled Kamen Estate Wines can also be seen.
Terry Silver's Theme Song
It seems the Cobra Kai creators took a page out of Pixar's handbook for this one. When Terry Silver is seen in his wine cellar putting up his signature ponytail as he transforms into Sensei Silver, there's a haunting, theatrical song that plays in the background.
This is the same score that plays when Silver is first introduced on screen in Karate Kid III, composed by Bill Conti for the film's soundtrack and considered to be Terry Silver's theme song.
Everyone's Doing Something New
After a failed attempt to flirt with his crush, Anthony goes back to his friends all gathered at a table. In the midst of their conversation, one of his friends suddenly says, "It looks like everyone's doing something new," and they all look over to see Anthony's arch enemy Kenny talking to "his" girl.
This line is a callback to the original film when one of Johnny's friends notices Ali talking to Daniel on the beach and says Johnny must be a trendsetter because it "looks like everyone's doing something new," ultimately unfolding the decades-long rivalry between Johnny and Daniel.