DRAMA IN THE DOJO

COBRA KAI SEASON 5 Netflix, from Friday, September 9

■ BATTLE lines are drawn in Reseda, Los Angeles, in the Emmy-nominated comedy drama set 30 years after the events of the feelgood 1984 film The Karate Kid.

THE fourth series concluded with a shock result at the All Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament – an overall victory for the Cobra Kai dojo led by Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith). Buoyed by success, Silver intends to expand his empire and bludgeon the competition with his aggressive “no mercy” style of karate.

DANIEL LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) initially faces the threat alone. John Kreese (Martin Kove) has been framed by Silver and is behind bars, while Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) is atoning for past mistakes by abandoning karate. In his hour of need, Daniel calls upon an old friend for help.