How Barney Stinson Helped Create Netflix’s Cobra Kai

Karate Kid is an 80’s classic that spans 3 sequels and even a Netflix Original, Cobra Kai. But, did you know that if not for a music video directed by William Zabka himself, as well as an episode of How I Met Your Mother, the show would not exist? That’s right. Thanks to a music video and one small legen…wait for it…dary episode, we have one of the best shows in a long time.

THE MUSIC VIDEO

The music video for the song “Sweep The Leg” by No More Kings came first. Even some of the old castmates make an appearance. The video basically tells the story of the legendary final fight. However, what is significant about the video is that unlike in the film Johnny wins the tournament, not Daniel. Thus beginning the stepping stones for Cobra Kai.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER LEADS TO COBRA KAI

Next, is an amazing episode of How I Met Your Mother. In case you didn’t watch the series, Johnny is Barney Stinson’s (Neil Patrick Harris) idol. He always saw Johnny as the victim, not the villain. So, in season 8 episode 22 “The Bro Mitzvah”, the gang organizes Barney’s bachelor party, which he specifies must be epic. However, the gang decides to plan the worst bachelor party for him by inviting Ralph Macchio instead of Zabka. This leads to hilarious antics including the iconic quote, “I am nothing like Ralph Macchio”. In the end, it turns out Zabka is actually with them the whole time disguised as a clown.

Both the video and the HIMYM episode bring a different light to the story, and in doing so inspired Cobra Kai. The series main drive is to explore Johnny as a good guy. The idea is that he is the true victor because Daniel won illegally. The show makes you feel sympathetic towards Johnny and not seem like the bad guy – just someone who unfairly lost an important tournament. A loss that causes sticks with him forever and is a catalyst for further misfortune.

Despite Cobra Kai using the typical soap-opera tropes, all of that can be overlooked with the fantastic character dynamics that make the show feel fresh and nostalgic. Throughout the series, you see Johnny’s point of view and at other times you see Daniel’s. So, there are times you do not know who to root for as there is no clear-cut good or bad guy.

In the end, no matter what it is that makes the show work, we can thank Barney Stinson for it. If not for his insistence that Johnny is the real winner, would we even have a Cobra Kai? Not to mention he makes William Zabka his best man for a minute, further showing what a great guy he can be – minus the trying to sabotage Ted thing, but that we can all overlook that. However, what we can all agree on is that these last 4 seasons of Cobra Kai have been action fun and I for one cannot wait for season 5.

To watch Cobra Kai you can go to Netflix. How I Met Your Mother is on Hulu. And, The Karate Kid is on Peacock. Stay tuned to THS for reviews, trailers, and more!