Despite the convoluted manner in which it was brought about, Daniel's return to Tomi Village in Okinawa (this time, actually in Okinawa rather than in Hawaii) made me particularly happy. I can trace most of my love for Japanese culture from the second Karate Kid movie (again, even though it ironically never shows any part of Japan, let alone Okinawa--young me didn't know that). "The Glory of Love" is still on my personal mental soundtrack. Having Daniel make his visit there and reunite with some of the same characters, played by the same actors, 35 years later almost brought me to tears. "None of them fought to the death for me" is now one of my favorite lines.
The season starts in the dark place where season two left it. However, its message of hope, determination, and persistence (even if a bit unrealistic) picks up soon and establishes one of my favorite seasons of the show so far. The show even manages to provide some humanization of Kreese as it travels in the past to demonstrate his (melodramatic) turn to villainy. I also love how they keep Mr. Miyagi as a central presence in the show despite Pat Morita's death more than fifteen years ago.
Certainly, this show is not for everyone, but it was certainly made for me … and--apparently--my sons too.