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WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Season 4 of Cobra Kai,streaming now on Netflix.
Netflix's Cobra Kai has stuck to the essence of the original movies, with Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka) trying to rid Los Angeles of the evil Cobra Kai dojo. The show just hasn't moved past the '80s rock, hasty dads and toxic masculinity, leaving people wondering if these characters really ever grew and if women have a real place in this property. However, despite the show's female problems standing out in Season 4, this can all be fixed with one major return.
This is none other than Hilary Swank's Julie Pierce from The Next Karate Kid, who trained under Miyagi, took out military goons and added a much needed feminist perspective to a series that felt way too male-oriented. More so, she became like a daughter to Miyagi, which is an influence the show badly needs in terms of a caring mentor.
In Season 4, the show tried to be woke by incorporating a female championship but the girls felt like pawns to the male teachers. Johnny had Donna, an angry teen from the Debate Club; Daniel had Sam, who was channeling her fury towards Tory while balancing her love triangle with Robby and Miguel; while Kreese and Terry had Tory as their champion, riling her up so she could get back at the privileged.
The problem is, without agency, it's hard to connect to their stories emotionally because they're nothing more than props who don't control their own destinies. Johnny didn't even care about having any girls in his dojo until the All-Valley competition changed stipulations, which felt disrespectful, as past seasons hinted women would factor in more. Seeing as Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang need to unite again with Cobra Kai growing, Julie could fill this gap, providing what Johnny and Daniel failed to.
She's the perfect mix of aggression and defense, so she'd know how to mesh both dojos, with or without Chozen's help. But more so, she can be the shoulder these girls lean on. After all, Sam needed advice her dad couldn't give in terms of style, only for Johnny to step in. Julie, though, would feel more relatable in helping her evolve while also being there for her in terms of her relationship and family problems, especially as Sam didn't like the future her parents laid out for her. Julie was once angry like Tory too, so she can temper her if Tory leaves Terry's side, as the fighter knows he's bribing refs.
It'd be an easy way of course correction after the show painted its adult women into creative corners with Sam's mom, Amanda, and Miguel's mom, Carmen, focused on keeping Daniel and Johnny in check respectively. Julie can compensate and empower the fighters -- something Amanda and Carmen couldn't do -- on the mat.
The fact Aisha, Sam's best friend and a former Miyagi-Do student, was just relegated to a cameo and pep talk said it all. Sam had no real outlet, while Tory barely discussed her family issues with Amanda, who did want the girls to end their rivalry. With Julie, though, they'll have someone to gravitate to, which can provide characters like Donna or Hawk's crush, Moon, a lot more development apart from being objects to motivate male fighters. And ultimately, Julie would certainly buck the franchise by having a logical, composed female bringing balance to the Valley as Miyagi's female Chosen One rather than petulant dudes who act like children, no matter their age.
Cobra Kai's four seasons are available to stream now on Netflix.
