Warning: This article contains spoilers for Cobra Kai season 4.
A surprise cameo from Aisha (Nichole Brown) in Cobra Kai season 4 proved that Daniel (Ralph Macchio) was always wrong about Johnny (William Zabka) being a bad influence. From the beginning, Daniel was convinced that Johnny had a negative presence in the lives of his students. At times, there was certainly strong evidence to support his argument but one character in particular paints a different picture of who Johnny is as a sensei.
All along, Daniel has been of the mindset that Johnny’s teachings will only get kids in trouble. While Johnny has been trying hard to be better than Kreese (Martin Kove), there were certainly no shortage of moments where it looked like Daniel had a point. It’s worth noting that Eli’s villain arc in the series started when he was under Johnny’s tutelage, not Kreese’s. There’s also the matter of Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), who was nearly corrupted by Cobra Kai’s three guiding principles in the first two seasons. Johnny did help Miguel recover from his paralysis, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that many of the latter’s problems – including his injury – stemmed from practicing karate and his connection to Johnny.
Aisha’s cameo appearance in Cobra Kai season 4, episode 6 demonstrated that despite the way things have gone for so many of the show’s characters, Johnny has in fact been a good influence on some of his pupils. Aisha told Sam (Mary Mouser) that she made friends with a classmate that she believed would be her next bully, and attributed her decision to Johnny and his “Strike First” rule. According to Aisha, she attacked her problem “head on” and was able to avoid a repeat of her situation in the Valley. In Cobra Kai season 1, Aisha was made miserable by people like Yasmine (Annalisa Cochrane) who made mean jokes about her weight. She could have gone through the same experience at her new school, but Johnny’s lessons enabled Aisha to create a better environment for herself.
How Aisha’s life has turned out since she left the series after Cobra Kai season 2 serves as proof that what Johnny teaches can be good for more than just fighting. In other words, Daniel has been wrong about Johnny in multiple aspects throughout Cobra Kai. It wasn’t until the season 4 finale that Daniel finally accepted that Johnny’s offensive-minded approach can be an asset to the Miyagi-do students.
Daniel realizes now that the Eagle Fang style has some good points to it, and it’s possible that if he looks deeper, he’ll notice other positive qualities about what Johnny brings to the table as a sensei. Aisha’s cameo in Cobra Kai season 4 was a strong reminder that regardless of all the fighting between the karate dojos, Johnny’s teachings have given them the confidence to take initiative and make the most of their lives.
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