- "Cobras, show them what real karate looks like!"
- ―Johnny Lawrence[src]
Fire and Ice is the third episode of the second season of Cobra Kai.
Summary[]
Daniel pulls out all the stops in an effort to recruit new students to Miyagi Do. Johnny reflects on some of the major relationships in his life - and responds to Daniel's promotional efforts with his own.
Plot[]
Johnny Lawrence purchases his first computer and instantly after figuring out how to turn the thing on and access the internet, starts searching for “hot babes”, "wet t-shirt contests", Iron Eagle, Bloodsport, conspiracy theories, as well a karate tournament. Johnny gets annoyed by the ads, one of which is for Miyagi-Do karate. Amanda is also annoyed by the ad, because Daniel has spent half of the dealership's marketing budget on it. The internet is also accusing Daniel of "cultural appropriation". Daniel LaRacist, as the comments suggest, is co-opting Asian culture for his own gain, including, most insultingly, cliched background music; despite Daniel's claim that he chose the song because it was Mr. Miyagi's favorite.
As Kreese and Johnny decide that the ad requires some retaliation, Miguel informs Hawk that Robby is Johnny's son, after having seen a picture of him on Johnny's fridge while dropping off some home-cooked food. The pair approach Johnny about this, but it does not go well — Robby might be Johnny's son, but that does not mean he is okay with them cheating during tournaments. Johnny instructs the two to clean the mats for a week.
Since Daniel is losing prospective clients thanks to his training methods looking like free yard work, he decides to stage a demonstration at the Valley Fest. Amanda is worried that he is having a midlife crisis and is siphoning business away from the dealership. Johnny, meanwhile, is worried about losing students too, but for different reasons. Kreese plants the idea in his head that Daniel might entice Miguel the same way he enticed Robby. Johnny takes Miguel out to explain more about his relationship with Robby, and he confides in Miguel that he was not there for his son's birth, as he was busy drinking at the time. He also reveals that his mother died just before Robby's birth, which is what caused him to doubt his abilities to be a father.
Miyagi-Do eventually does their big demonstration at Valley Fest. It starts off well, but is swiftly interrupted by Cobra Kai's own demonstration of their Karate. Cobra Kai delivers a very entertaining show, with strobe lights, music, and Johnny breaking bricks. Miyagi-Do leaves, saddened by the show's failure, as the ice from the Miyagi-Do show melts from the heat of Cobra Kai's fire.
Trivia[]
- The ice breaking that Daniel was planning to do in the grand finale was a reference to The Karate Kid Part II.
- The episode's title alludes to the performance at the end of the episode where Johnny Lawrence destroys bricks made of fire, while Daniel LaRusso plans to break the ice before it is interrupted by the Cobras. Because of this, the ice melts from Cobra Kai's fire.
- This is the second time that Cobra Kai has beaten Miyagi-Do in recruiting other students.
- Kreese referred to Miguel as a Mexican, believing he was born in Mexico, when Johnny corrects him and tells him that Miguel is from Ecuador.
