"The Way of the Fist""The Way of the Fist"

Synopsis:

Episode 3 of Cobra Kai Season 1, titled "The Way of the Fist," continues to delve into the ongoing rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, as their students begin to embrace their respective dojos and clash both on and off the mat.

The episode opens with Daniel at the Miyagi-Do Karate dojo, teaching his students the importance of balance and focus. Meanwhile, Johnny is hard at work training his students at Cobra Kai, emphasizing aggression and a "no mercy" approach. The tension between the two dojos escalates as news spreads about a local karate tournament, where the two rival dojos are expected to face off.

In the midst of the rivalry, Miguel, one of Johnny's star students, grows closer to Samantha, Daniel's daughter. Their budding friendship becomes a cause of concern for both Johnny and Daniel, as they fear it will only intensify the animosity between their dojos.

As preparations for the tournament continue, Johnny becomes increasingly frustrated with his students' lack of discipline. Seeking guidance, he reaches out to his former sensei, John Kreese, who makes a surprise appearance at Cobra Kai. Kreese's arrival sets off a series of events that challenge Johnny's leadership and ignite old wounds.

Meanwhile, Daniel's wife, Amanda, expresses her doubts about the escalating feud, urging him to find a way to settle their differences peacefully. Daniel is torn between his loyalty to his late mentor, Mr. Miyagi, and the need to protect his family from the influence of Cobra Kai.

In the final moments of the episode, tensions reach their boiling point as Miguel confronts Samantha about her father's animosity towards Cobra Kai. Their heated exchange nearly comes to blows but is interrupted by Johnny and Daniel, who arrive just in time to prevent a physical altercation.

Recognizing the destructive path, they are on, Johnny and Daniel agree to have a private conversation away from their students. Alone together, they reflect on their shared past and the mistakes they made. They begin to realize that their rivalry has spiraled out of control and that it's time to put their differences aside for the sake of their students.

Episode 3 of Cobra Kai Season 1 ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager to see if Johnny and Daniel can find common ground and prevent their rivalry from tearing apart their lives and the lives of their students.