Cobra Kai season 1 episode 3

What happens in “Esqueleto”

1. Johnny’s dojo struggles

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   • Johnny is trying to get Cobra Kai going: recruiting students, advertising, getting people interested. ScreenSpy+2PoGDesign+2

   • He gives flyers out, has a homeless person hold a sign, etc. Business‑side of the dojo is rough. ScreenSpy+1

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3. Miguel & training

   • Miguel wants to do more advanced moves and pushes Johnny: when do we move to next-level training? ScreenSpy+1

   • Johnny uses a harsh drill: ties Miguel’s hands and throws him in a pool to force him to fight up to the surface using his legs. This is about teaching strength, endurance under pressure. ScreenSpy+1

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4. Halloween dance / school subplot

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   • The school is holding a Halloween costume dance. Sam is involved, Daniel ends up going as chaperone. ScreenSpy+1

   • Miguel wears the skeleton costume (Johnny’s old skeleton costume from the first Karate Kid) to the dance. ScreenSpy+2Screen Rant+2

   • There are bullying moments: Kyler and others make fun of Miguel. Miguel tries to defend Samantha and himself, tries sticking up to the bullies. He’s outnumbered and gets beaten up. Johnny helps him later. Screen Rant+2ScreenSpy+2

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6. Daniel / Family life

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   • Daniel is worried about Sam — what’s happening with Kyler, who she spends time with. He’s protective, suspicious. ScreenSpy+1

   • There’s tension: Daniel as a father, Sam’s social life, how trustworthy some of her friends are. ScreenSpy

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8. Character growth/conflict

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   • Miguel’s actions are more impulsive: reacting to bullying by trying to fight back, partly driven by Johnny’s “strike first / no mercy” philosophy. But Johnny’s teaching has consequences: Miguel realizes getting violent / aggressive can lead to being overwhelmed. Screen Rant+1

   • Johnny also seems to struggle: not just in teaching Miguel, but in being a role model and running a dojo. Business, ethics, style — there are cracks. Screen Rant+2ScreenSpy+2

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Themes & important takeaways

• The cost of “strike first / no mercy”Miguel is being taught aggressive tactics, but this episode shows that they don’t always serve well, especially when peers retaliate, bullies are more ruthless, or numbers / context work against you.

• Bullying & standing up vs escalationMiguel’s attempts to protect Samantha or defend himself spiral into violence, showing how hard it is for someone to stand up without getting into worse trouble.

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• Johnny’s mentorship is flawed

• but earnestHe clearly wants to help Miguel, but his own past (Cobra Kai training under Kreese) influences how he teaches. There’s a tension between what he teaches and what’s safe / responsible.

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• Daniel and parental anxiety This episode underscores Daniel’s concern about what’s happening in Sam’s life (friends, social pressures, bullying) and how he interacts with that. We see the different worlds: dojo / Karate vs everyday high school/family.

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• Identity & legacy Miguel wearing Johnny’s old costume (the skeleton) is symbolic: he’s stepping into a legacy. Johnny’s past still looms large. Also, the costume dance is a setting where appearance / identity / peer perception matter.

Joe is an orange belt in karate