Don’t blame Netflix: Cobra Kai season 6 was already planned to release in parts

Don't blame Netflix: Cobra Kai season 6 was already planned to release in parts

As a longtime fan of Cobra Kai and someone who has grown accustomed to the traditional binge-watching model of Netflix series, I must admit that the decision to release the final season in three parts took me by surprise. At first, I was disappointed and even a little frustrated, as I prefer to consume a complete season in one sitting. However, after reflecting on this choice and considering the perspective of the creators, I’ve come to appreciate the reasoning behind it.


As a passionate gamer and avid fan of “Cobra Kai,” I couldn’t contain my excitement when Netflix announced the release date for the sixth and final season. However, my joy was momentarily dampened when I discovered there were not one but three release dates for this super-sized finale. Comprising a total of 15 episodes, the decision to split it into three parts left me pondering the reasons behind such a move from the show’s creators. With the first part now available on July 18, I, as one of the curious fans, am eager to uncover the insights behind this intriguing choice.

In recent years, there’s been an increasing preference for dividing TV seasons on Netflix, particularly with originals like “You,” “Stranger Things,” “Bridgerton,” “Emily in Paris,” and others. Instead of unveiling every episode at once, these series have been rolled out in installments, with a gap of about a month or more between each release. For shows like “Cobra Kai,” this staged rollout was a deliberate part of the production strategy.

Cobra Kai season 6 was planned in “three chapters”

In a conversation with Variety after the debut of Cobra Kai season 6 part 1, co-creator and co-showrunner Jon Hurwitz explained why this installment was divided into batches instead of the usual 10-episode binge release. Previously, each season consisted of 10 episodes. However, they realized that they required more episodes for the story to unfold effectively.

As a devoted fan, I can tell you from Hurwitz’s own words that, knowing season 6 would be our last ride, the brilliant creative team was determined to bring all the storylines to a satisfying conclusion. To achieve this, they expanded the number of episodes from 10 to 15. This increase provided them with the opportunity to structure the season into three captivating chapters, ultimately resulting in the gripping three-part finale we all came to love.

When we landed on 15, it felt natural to us to split it up into three parts, three chapters, three acts. Whenever we’re writing Cobra Kai, even in all the prior seasons, they’d be 10 episodes, but we’d write to a midpoint. We’d write through five episodes, and then plan for the back half. This was a similar writing experience, except having the real estate of 15 episodes.

Jon Hurwitz, co-creator

According to Hurwitz’s account, focusing on five episodes at a time during the writing process was a standard practice to ensure they all contributed to an overarching goal. He shared this approach with Variety, explaining, “This was the intended method.” Given the extensive number of episodes initially ordered, it seemed inevitable that Netflix would divide the season into no fewer than two portions. The specifics of how this division would occur were still to be determined.

Many viewers find themselves tired of waiting for multiple installments of streaming series. Netflix was a trailblazer in providing viewers with the option of binge-watching entire seasons, which became a popular trend. While some people enjoy the weekly release format similar to traditional TV, others prefer having the whole season available at once. Dividing content into parts can leave viewers feeling disappointed as they are not able to consume the complete story they were initially anticipating.

While I get the appeal of watching an entire season at once, it’s important to note that you can still do so, just not right away. It may require some patience and waiting a bit longer, but it’s a feasible option. I’m among the few TV viewers who don’t mind batch releases, as it doesn’t impact my viewing experience negatively for me. Additionally, while this is a personal opinion, I believe that the binge-watching trend has had both positive and negative effects on the television industry and storytelling as a whole.

In summary, although it may be frustrating for some to only have access to five episodes of Cobra Kai season 6 part 1, understand that the creators intentionally released it this way. They wanted fans to fully appreciate the final season by savoring each episode, rather than overwhelming us with all 15 episodes at once and dealing with spoilers. While we may not like waiting, ultimately, we all want to enjoy the show together.

Watch Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 only on Netflix.

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2024-07-20 17:03