2025 TV & Streaming: Must-Watch Picks + Cobra Kai Mid-Season 6 Review!

>> Sarah : Greetings Nerds, This is Scene N Nerd! I'm your host, Sarah Belmont, and with me, as always, is our Mr. M producer, Will Polk How are you doing tonight, Will?

>> Will: Doing very well, Sarah How are you doing this Tuesday evening?

>> Sarah : I am good. I am. I'm here. And we're talking about how Alaska and North Carolina has exchanged weather.

>> Will: We have.

>> Sarah : Please. So I'm like, okay, cool.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, it is actually. Yeah, it's warmer there in, in your town than it is here in my town. So, yeah, it's Rosal. But at least we got some nice snow to go along with it. So right before we were, we were. Started recording, I zipped outside just to play in a little bit. you know, just be a kid again for a little, little moment until, you know, until we were all like, can't go anywhere because here in the south we just shut down.

>> Sarah : Yeah, yeah, you guys down. And right before we started recording, you mentioned that you added a piece of news to the rundown that just came up. speculation about Ryan Gosling being in talks to join the Star wars universe.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah. So this was so it wasn't just some random tweeter. It was actually, you know, it was the trades, all three of them. Deadline tv Line M. Actually four of them. Variety, etc. Hollywood Reporter all noted that he is in talks to join the the Sean Levy, standalone Star wars film that he is producing and directing and writing. and it's look like it's not going to be. Apparently the story is not going to be set in the Star Skywalker universe or saga. So so we'll see what happens there. But yeah, he's. Yeah, he's. He is in talks to join Star wars. so we'll see what happens. I know there was like some stuff, I think was it Kristian or. Somebody broke some news yesterday saying that Natalie Portman might be joining the, joining Ahsoka Season 2. I think I saw that somewhere.

>> Sarah : Yeah, I saw something about. Yeah, I, don't even. I. Or I, I don't know. I, I know what headline you're referring to. It almost could have been read as it came out that she was close to joining even the first season or maybe she was close to joining the second season and then fell through. So I saw that. I also saw some funny headlines and I wish we had brought this up last week, but the fact that into The Spider verse 3 has not like the actors have not recorded any parts for. So for our listeners who are new or not with Us during that, I strongly encourage you to go and listen to our spoiler. Talk about into the spider verse and just how like that movie now is the ultimate cliffhanger.

>> Will: It is.

>> Sarah : But at the same time I think it's gone on long enough that people are kind of like, have it out of sight, out of mind.

>> Will: Yeah.

>> Sarah : And so they're not really nagging. But you know, eventually. Could you finish it?

>> Will: We, we will probably. Yeah, we will probably go through a, A whole like multiple, you know, the MCU and other things before this film is finished. Because, I mean, I think the last. Because I know they were talking about Spider Man 4, with, with Tom Holland and, and then, and then of course at the earliest now if they haven't even even recorded any dialogue. And I, and I think they're still working on the story and storyboards and all that kind of stuff. So at best case, we're looking at maybe 20, 27.

>> Sarah : Yeah.

>> Will: Best case, maybe longer. Yeah.

>> Sarah : You would just, you just think you announce a two part, like a two part sequel. Ish thing going on and the release dates are confirmed. You would think they would have picked up the pace on that.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah. And I understand, I mean, you know, understand and wanted to make sure that they do right by their animators and stuff because we, we have heard horror stories of, of how these studios have treated the, animators with some and you know, CGI folks and that kind of stuff. So I get that. But at the same time, right, like.

>> Sarah : You can't, you can't use that as your excuse because. Or justification because you would have known that that workload wouldn't have been possible when the second movie premiered.

>> Will: Right.

>> Sarah : if not before. If not before. So, so why the heck would you leave? Like, like it's one thing for them to end it the way they did, but there was a. And this will return.

>> Will: Yeah.

>> Sarah : And as if self. Confidently. Yeah. We already have it in the, in the bag. It's already made and it's like, no, no, more clearly not even touched.

>> Will: Yeah. Yeah. It's crazy. It's crazy. Yeah. Yeah.

>> Sarah : Oh my God. Well, I mean between that and potentially Ryan Gosling enjoying Star wars, which. Okay, yeah, yeah, whatever.

>> Will: Yeah, I will say. I, will say especially given that this was a. It apparently is going to be a standalone story and, and not tied to the, to the Skywalkers. And I know we're supposed to also have that with James Mangold's film as But you know, just did finish watching Star Wars Skeleton Crew and it, it set during the time period of the. Of the Mandalorian, probably season three or thereabouts. But you know, it. It did show that Star wars can work. when, whenever. Yeah there were Jedi and stuff around, but it was almost like it was a story that it really was sort of Goonies and Goonies in space and, and, and yeah, there were reminded you that it was in the Star wars universe. But at the same time it, it could easily have been another, Another property that, or even original property given that the way that the story unfolded. So it was really cool.

>> Sarah : Interesting.

>> Will: Yeah. So. So maybe they can do that on the big screen as well. I mean they have shown that they can do it correctly on, on small, screen. we're not going to talk about the acolyte, but at least skeleton crew can do it. It shows that they can do it.

>> Sarah : Yeah, yeah. continuing on the small screen, we are gonna give our what we're looking forward to watching this year in terms of TV shows. but first one, the one property that was on my list is Daredevil Born Again, which dropped a trailer that I have not watched, but I think Will watched. So Will, what did you think about that trailer?

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, I did watch it last week when it dropped. and it. I, you know, for someone who did not watch Daredevil proper, but I did watch the other shows on the Marvel Netflix universe. it. I really enjoyed it. I mean it had the. I mean if it had the. From what I understand, you know, again, I haven't watched any. Maybe I've watched a handful of shows. I should say has not a completely, completely, blonde. But the tone was really, really what everyone has shared with me and the things I have seen in that show. you know, all the, all the characters are back and we see the Punisher, we see the supporting cast that was a part of the Netflix series. and so of course Kingpin and I really just like the way that it started out with just with Kingpin and. And Matt sitting across each other at the. At the counter, lunch counter that there at a diner it looks like. And. And of course Kingpin's now going legit because he's mayor of the city. And. And. And then of course Matt has, you know, seems. Seems like he has moved on from vigilantism. He's really, you know, going full force with. As far as doing the criminal defense work and stuff. So it's. I really. I, I really liked it. You know, as, as Far as, like as you know that it is one of the shows that's on your list. It's not on, it's not on my list. not. And I guess it's because I just don't have that history with it like so many people do. So yeah, I'm looking forward to watching it, but it's not like you know, I'm just like, you know, edge of my seat to see it. But but yeah, but I did like the trailer.

>> Sarah : I, I am, I would like to disclose I'm m not on the edge of my seat. I didn't watch a trailer, but I, I just tried to fill the space. I'm looking forward to stuff. I mean technically like three of mine or two of mine. so a lot of this is what we're gonna cover too. So.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, well, I know we. Yeah, I know there's cross pollination, but there was one, there was one thing that I did not see realist that I was surprised. But we'll get into it here in a m. Minute when we go through our, through our respective list. yeah, I'll go ahead and put it out there. A Severance. I was surprised that you did not have Severance season two on your list.

>> Sarah : See, this is how I know Will doesn't listen to me. So, when I watched Severance, it was about 10 months after the first season released. I liked it. I didn't really fully understand it. and considering it already started, I didn't put on my list.

>> Will: Okay.

>> Sarah : I took this prompt. Very little that we're looking forward to. It's already started. I haven't even purchased Apple plus tv. I'm not purchasing Apple. I have a weird relationship with Apple plus tv. I used to purchase it back in the day with Ted Lasso. but now Ted Lasso is over, quote unquote. Maybe there's some rumors about it in another season, I don't know. So, but, and, and, and kind of concurrently with Ted Lasso is the morning show. And so I know that we're expected to get season four of the morning show this year. which I am a lot of mine. My list is very short mainly because, Will stole a lot of obvious picks and then I also just added in things that I think are happening but I'm also not sure about. And these shows I have watched, I have enjoyed but also tend to take hell of a long hiatus. Like the morning we get every other year, we don't get one. One Season a year we get every other year, if we're lucky, probably because the stars, like, we're talking Reese Witherspoon and, Jennifer Aniston. So, yeah, they're busy. and then the other one that I just thought about last night, and for a different reason, I stumbled upon it and I was like, yeah, when are we gonna get that? Hopefully, again, this is only according to IMDb. And so I'm. I'm like putting an asterisk on this that I have no idea because I don't know if they've even shot. I haven't heard anything, but apparently the IMDb says this year we're supposed to get the last season of a handmade sale. Yeah, I think it's been at least two and a half years since the last one.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, yeah, it was actually. Yeah, it was on the Hulu, sizzle reel for this year.

>> Sarah : Well, good. Mean, because. Because meanwhile, Elizabeth Moth is coming out with a new show left and right, and I'm sitting here like, you finish what you started, lady. Go back and finish what freaking started. Now, granted, I've had a very tumultuous relationship with Handmaid's Tale. I. I started the la. Like season four, and then I drifted, and then I did go back and watch the season finale.

>> Will: Okay.

>> Sarah : And I watched a bunch of combinations of the storylines about the storylines that I actually care about. So, Did I watch the whole thing? Nah, I wouldn't. I would. I would say like 75%. So. But. But there. There's been seasons where I've done that with it, and then seasons where I, like, watch the full thing. so hopefully we get that. And the other one is Big Little Lies, apparently. Now I know Nicole Kidman is in everything these days. She's also in another show right now that's coming out with a season two. I don't know how that when that Woman Sleeps, but apparently, according to IMDb again, we're gonna get finally the third season of big Little Lies. And it. It's been like four years.

>> Will: It's ridiculous. Like, these streamers. I mean, you know, you look at the network shows and. And like, they crank it up, you know, and it may be. And, maybe you. Obviously that's the difference between network and streamers for sure. But,

>> Sarah : But I don't know. That's a streamer issue. I mean, it. Technically, it's HBO Max, or it's Max, which is a streaming, but it's started off as a cable, and. And I think it started. I understand why, like, I would. I also like to disclose is like, Big Little Lies. You're talking about a list. Actors, arguably coming together, do a TV show. So their hiatuses are longer, their seasons are way shorter because of that. And also, it's not just because they're busy, but it's because how much can you, for a TV budget, how much are you willing to actually spend on just your actors alone? Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I, but I understand what you're saying. And we'll get, we'll get to the streaming of it all in a moment when I talk about my, my final thing. that isn't on your list. but I just. Big Little Lies. I don't need a third season. I really don't. They left it. They concluded it, arguably. I don't need a fourth season of the Morning show. And I, I now, Handmaid's Tale is different. They technically do have some things to, like, tie up, but simultaneously they do stuff with their finales where it's kind of like, okay, well, if this is where you want to leave it, that's fine too. So it's a very weird. It's like, I don't even think that it's about ratings and then possibly getting canceled. It's just more of how, how they structure their seasons. but, but if, if for, like, Big Little Lies, if they come out with third season, I'm watching it because I would be very interested in a what the heck are you going to do? Like, I really, I really don't think it needed a third season. So I'd be very curious, mainly about, well, what do you do with those characters and that story to, like, continue, yet also start a new chapter. so the last one where, where will can shit talk. Streaming services is, the final season of you, which is going to be on Netflix, starting on April 24th. And, we all know, so spoiler alert, Joe is gonna die. That's the only way to conclude the series. Joe has to go. Okay. The only way. I, I, I, I, don't know if, if they don't end it that way. I want, I'm not gonna say that I won't be shocked, but I will be very angry. I will be very confused and very angry, like, how the heck. This makes no sense. This is pointless. and I, from what I saw, and granted, I did, like, two minutes of research, so they're probably gonna do this, but I really need Netflix to stop the whole. Here's half of your season and now here's the other half. Okay. I needed to stop. Okay. I just. Over the weekend, I binged Exo Kitty Season 2. I know. It's a, It's a teenage girl show. Hey, I'm a teenage girl at heart, so. Avenged it all. Eight episodes. Done. Okay. There was no need for a break. And I know we're going to get another season of Emily in Paris. And if they pull that shit again, God, I just. I don't. I don't get it. It's just so annoying to me. the whole half, part half thing. I mean, ironically, we did it to ourselves with Invincible.

>> Will: Yeah.

>> Sarah : but when the streaming services do it, then I have a problem.

>> Will: Yeah, we did it to ourselves with Invincible. But I mean, but they did it. They did it as well. I mean.

>> Sarah : Yeah, because.

>> Will: So. So we're just following their lead. But, you know, but. So, But you're right. It does. Whenever they do that shit, it does mess up. especially shows where you're building up to something. And it does mess up with the flow. So at least with Invincible, which I do have it on my list.

>> Sarah : Yep.

>> Will: At least there is not, such a wide gap in. In seasons like that they had with seasons one and two, I guess. Yeah. So. And it looks like this time too, they are. They are just going to just drop, you know, all eight episodes, weekly and. And not do any kind of crazy, crazy, breaks like they did with. With season two. So I am happy. I am happy to see that. Will we watch it during. During the run? Probably not. Will we. Will we catch up with it during. During a hiatus for some other things? Yes, we will.

>> Sarah : Definitely. Definitely.

>> Will: Yeah.

>> Sarah : Yeah, we will. We will return to that, And, the. The other one that when you put it on your list, I was like. I was like, I wonder if you'll convince me because we have covered two seasons of Reacher. I am, Actually, you know, now that I think about it, I am more shocked, based on what you said earlier on the show, that it's on your list because considering how we both felt at the end of season two. But. But was it the trailers that has you excited for Reacher season three?

>> Will: Yeah, it's one. It's got. I gotta have at least one dad TV show. You know, last in the fall, it was cross.

>> Sarah : Yeah.

>> Will: And. And. And this time it's going to be Reacher. I, don't want to. You know, I'm. I'm not gonna, like, subject you, to. To it. this is just one of Those guilty pleasure shows that ah, I will watch and look forward to look forward to it coming. And I know this one, it is, I, it's I guess it's based on one. You know, they're all based on the books. And so I guess this was book seven that this one is going to be set on. And so. Yeah, but also the trailers. Whenever they had the, the dude bigger than, than Reacher that, that I was just like I gotta, I gotta see how this is all gonna like unfold here.

>> Sarah : Yeah, I see what has. I would, I would be curious to talk to the programming person because if I was Reacher I would be like why the heck are you changing when we come out? Because we, we had a good run with the early January or August, like these times when not a lot of TV shows. Why the heck in 2025 would you look at your TV calendar and be like let's premiere Reacher in April.

>> Will: Yeah, actually, yeah actually that was a typo on my part. It's actually February 20th, but still state the point is the same. I mean because you do. Because you got. You're stepping on another Amazon property.

>> Sarah : Invincible M. Yeah, well counter programming there.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, true.

>> Sarah : Like I, I can see that. So. So I'm glad you cut me off and corrected myself because I was just gonna go ham on that because with April, the obvious things that we're looking forward to is the Last of Us Season two and, and. Or season two.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, for sure, for sure. Yeah. And Yeah, I mean I, I think there was another recent trailer for the Last of Us Part two. and yeah, so. But. And I did, I did actually I did watch that. So yeah, we did talk about it I think towards the end of last year with the second trailer. And But yeah, I'm looking totally looking forward to it. I think every, everything I have heard is consist is that they are breaking up I guess part two of the game over two seasons through seasons two and three. and so But it is set five years after season one. And I know I had forgotten that Jeffrey Wright was actually joining the show in season two. as far as new characters manufacturing. Yeah, I know like Abigail is going to be a part, a big part of this story as far as part two. You know, season two. But yeah, I'm. That's definitely one I'm definitely looking forward to and definitely will. I think it is. You know, we know it's coming in April. They still haven't confirmed. They haven't officially confirmed the. The 13th. But I mean, just looking at the White Lotus ending, it has to be the 13th, so.

>> Sarah : And for. For listeners who are familiar with the franchise, when he said Abigail, he meant Abby.

>> Will: Yeah.

>> Sarah : Nobody tells her Abigail.

>> Will: Yeah, Sorry. Yeah, I was. I was looking at another Looking. I was looking at something else and I was like, oh, yeah. But anyway, yeah, my bad then.

>> Sarah : And. Or season two.

>> Will: Yeah. Yep. Which is, April 22nd. So. So that'll. Yeah. And it's taken us, of course, over, I guess, the 12 years leading up to. To the, New Hope. So today I don't.

>> Sarah : To New Hope or Rogue One.

>> Will: The Rogue One. Well, yeah, Rogue One, New Hope. I mean, basically. I mean, a New Hope. basically Rogue One ends at A New Hope, so.

>> Sarah : Oh, yeah. Yeah. But they're not connected. Spoilers stories.

>> Will: The canon. You're saving me from the canon police. You're. You're bailing me out again. Appreciate it.

>> Sarah : And then. And then we get a break or we get who knows. Who knows what we find. We always feel like there are these times when we think that there's going to be slow content list deserted. but who knows what will. What will come about this summer. but at the end of the summer, in August. Peacemaker Season 2.

>> Will: Yep.

>> Sarah : Like, where you been? Where you been, John Scene N. What you've been doing. Because this thing. I mean. Let's go. Let's go. We wanted season two a month after season one.

>> Will: Exactly. Yeah. That was. Yeah, that was a. Sure. That truly was a pleasant surprise. I. I really have to say.

>> Sarah : And I'm kind of mad at the late in the year start date because I think it really was just a. It's a great show to kick off a year with some levity, but also some action. And. And just that I mentioned the humor and the opening sequence. I'll be curious if we get the same or if they do a new dance.

>> Will: I think James Gunn said that they were filled. They have a new opening sequence them.

>> Sarah : As long as it's a new dance. I mean, I think. I think John. I think he probably watched that Nicole Kidman show, the Perfect Couple on Netflix, that miniseries who Killer. Like you only watch that show because the opening sequence dance and. And I. He probably got some inspiration to change it up. so we will. Are looking forward to that obviously. And we. And I think I saw that this is coming out in June, but, So already filling up the summer calendar. But it's not been officially announced, but we will be tuning in for, another tale within the Game of Thrones universe in all of Westeros. A Night of the Seven Kingdoms will be premiering. And so we'll, we'll see, we'll see what it does. We'll see where it lands.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, I saw that. I saw that as well. So, yeah, that it was possibly coming out in June is I guess six episodes and travel, you know, following the adventures of Sir Duncan and, and the egg. So, yeah, and I guess I said 100 years before game of Thrones, so, yeah, I, I, you know, I got on board with this universe, with House of the Dragon. And So, yeah, I'm looking forward to this one.

>> Sarah : Yeah, he's gonna bust out the blanket. I got him. That is the Tyre Westeros map. Okay, Sarah, this is the distance it took them one day to get there.

>> Will: The distance. Wave of dragonflies.

>> Sarah : Yeah. And then another long anticipated show to not only return, but to wrap it up. But Stranger Things, the final season will occur this year. It's probably going to. Netflix will do the thing because this is a franchise you definitely want to milk. And I'm not mad at it. Stranger after Stranger Things for season four when, like, if you don't remember watching those first four episodes, by the end of it, you're like, okay, thank God, I need a break. That was a great way to like, if, when you do the mid season thing correctly, it can work, but when you don't, it makes no sense. Yeah, you're like, somebody was writing with the break in mind and somebody wasn't. So, I would anticipate probably another, depending. I don't know what shooting looks like for them, but hopefully we get it this summer and not in the fall. But, we'll see. And hopefully they can wrap it up all in this year if it is split into two parts. but I, you know, Stranger Things is another one where the hiatuses are long and I often leave the season kind of like, okay, okay, that was, that was, that was good. but I still, like. It gets dragged out a bit where I'm like, all right, let's just put Millie Bobby Brown away for a moment about that character. but I also there they, they have these episodes and these characters where it's just like, oh, I was engaged full time and I'm this, I understand why this is like a big franchise for Netflix.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah. I mean, granted, everyone is like 50 now, but yeah, I mean, it's, it, it. I am looking forward to it. Coming back. I mean, I think that they have. I do recall where they wrapped filming, I think late last year and stuff. So, you know, some posts and everything. So maybe it'll drop this summer. but, or, but it wouldn't surprise me if they drop. Hold it to the fall.

>> Sarah : Yeah, yeah. Depending on what other programming is happening. and then, and then we got Star Trek, Strange New Worlds, Season three that you're looking forward to.

>> Will: Yeah, Yep. They that show will be coming this year and actually I think they are. Actually they're in the process of filming m. Season four. So they did, they did it back to back, as far as, filming and so. But yeah, it's actually been, it's been a minute since season two. because I was realizing, I was like, man, it was like 2023, whatever, summer 2023 when when we got that show. So, yeah. So, it'll be back and looking forward to it and don't know when it's going to come out, but I would. But if, but in the last. The first two seasons were summer premieres. so I would anticipate that being the case with season three as well.

>> Sarah : I wonder if it's just because it's easier for shows to get away with long hiatuses because of the content that's coming out and some of these bigger franchise shows that it's kind of like, okay, well we have to take a break so that the, the network invests money into this property and like the hands like there are longer. And it's also just the number of shows, if you think about it, at the end of the day that come out. I mean, we, we were saying, we always joke, we're like one day we're going to return to Apple plus TV and check out a lot of those shows that people are always talking about. And then you got Paramount plus that's on the uprise. And it's just the plethora. I mean we cover maybe what feels like at the end of the day, 5 to 10% of what's on TV. Like there is so much more. And then we always end up at least one or two of our top five for the year ends up being something that we didn't cover on the show because like, even what we, we both like to watch, it varies. And so it's So I, I think maybe that's also part of the reason why a lot of these things that were mentioned, we're like, man, that's been a few years since We've seen the last.

>> Will: Yeah.

>> Sarah : And they're able to get away with it because you get distracted by other things. especially with franchises like Star Trek and Star wars where you feel like you get distracted by a different shiny toei within the universe, to make the hiatus not feel like a blink of an eye.

>> Will: True, true.

>> Sarah : the bear.

>> Will: Yep.

>> Sarah : The dare, season four, Will it redeem itself? Hopefully.

>> Will: Hopefully. Hopefully. Yeah. I mean, they have nowhere to go but up.

>> Sarah : Right. It's a great place. It's. Honestly, have I rewatched the third season? No. But I do feel as though when I inevitably do my bear. The bear. The bear rewatch, which I always do at least once a year. I will probably compare it more to season one where I feel like season one. Yeah. Towards the end, there were some really good episodes. I totally understand the hype, but. But it did not knock me off my feet. especially when you compare it to season two. And, and from. I understand why season three played out the way it did, but I also can be very frustrated. Frustrated by how it played out and kind of annoyed that they. We went in a circle and there was technically no character growth for anyone. So just like, if you're gonna do that, just understand this is how you're gonna frustrate your audience. Something. But we, we are still looking forward to it because it's, it's the bear, so.

>> Will: Exactly. Can't say. Yeah. Can it Cannot add anything more to, to what you said.

>> Sarah : Yeah, yeah, it's the bear. And, and then the, the, oh, what do we call it? The, the, the rookie season, that Gen V had and then the tragedy that occurred shortly afterwards leaves, leaves us to a very anticipated season two while at the same time like, okay, I don't know how this is gonna work.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah. It was, you know, a chance. Perdomo, you know, tragically, he was on his way to like, yeah, I think, to film the second season of the show and tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident. And Yeah, I mean, but you know, you know, they decided to write him out of the, out of the story so that, you know, so there will, so they'll have to do have an in universe explanation for, for why his character is no longer there. but, you know, but just getting to the story of GENV itself and you know, being a spin off of the boys, which, you know, you know, it's funny that the boys, over time, you know, you know, have mocked the, the whole franchise thing. And of course now they're, they're creating their own little, their own little franchise universe with this show, with this Gen V and then some of the other boy spin offs that will be coming. But I, you know, this was one of those ones, you know, I did not know what, you know, what to expect. but I, I look, you know, I think we both overall and really like this show and I am looking forward to seeing what they do in the second season here.

>> Sarah : Yeah, absolutely. I mean for those who have not checked out Gen V, I don't know what you're doing, especially if you like or just tolerate the boys seasons. and even if you don't, even if you don't, Gen V is an odd spin off show that yes, it's in the same universe. It's, it's not quite. I'm not saying it's completely different. But you really, the characters that they build over the course fees course of the first season, you don't, you don't look around and be like, where's Butcher? Where's he? You don't, you don't. You know, maybe once in a while I look up to the sky and say, where's Homelander? But that's just me. But, but it, it did a very good job of being in the universe but telling the story in the inner and creating a whole new ensemble that you're just like, oh, I like hanging out with these guys just about much. Sometimes even more than I like hanging out with old crew. So it's, it was a really strong first season. they left it at a really interesting part while at the same time wrapping up the first season. And so it felt complete and yeah, it'll be. I, it's unfortunate what happened, but they seem to have taken the time to gather their bearings and figure out a way to do that. and we again just anticipated to see what happens in the second season and especially if it can live up to that first season for sure or even surpass it. So yeah, the other show, there are two other shows that Will has on his list, that we saved for last strategically. Ah, the first show is a show that we will be starting to cover next week and for listeners, we are moving our recording time in order to start covering the show. so we will start back on Thursday night recordings and so you'll have a fresh podcast episode every Friday moving forward. but we're going to start covering paradise on Hulu, which is premiering next week. It stars Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden. And it's from the same showrunner as this Is Us. So for people who know me, it's kind of obvious why we're watching this. I haven't even anything about the plot. It's like, yeah, we're watching this. But don't worry, we'll. We'll vetted it. He's fine with it.

>> Will: Oh, yeah. As soon as I saw the trailer and even more so when I saw the second trailer, just I think this past week, I am like, yeah, I am. I am looking forward to this show.

>> Sarah : Yeah, it. It's a, conspiracy political. and. And I just. I. I'm very. The showrunner. he also did Crazy Ah, Stupid Love at a bunch of other movies. I just, I've never. The genre change. that's, that's mainly when I'm My curiosity. I mean, of course. And I love Sterling K. Brown. Like, he does no wrong in my book. but I just, I'm very interested in. To see, the story that this particular showrunner wants to tell, in this genre. So, we. We will be starting that and I think they're dropping the first three episodes. Correct, correct. And, but, but we're going to, we're going to pace ourselves and just do the first two next week and then the next two after that, and then it'll be one a week. So, as we pick up another show, but more on that later. So, yeah, paradise starting next week.

>> Will: Yep. Looking forward to it.

>> Sarah : Yeah, yeah, yeah. And. And now for the. For the last one, which leads into our main. Main topic because. Because we are doing somewhat of a rewind now that we've looked forward into 2025. We actually have to go back to 2024 to finish what we started with. Who. Who also talk about, like, streaming services. Netflix. I'm looking at you. Who does the. Here's five episodes. Here's five. The other five episodes. No, no, no. Cobra Kai had to do this in three parts. Okay. We're still not done with this season.

>> Will: Nope. Five more coming next month. Yeah.

>> Sarah : So. So today we're only talking about the second set of five episodes, and we'll probably get to the last five maybe next year. So.

>> Will: When the movie comes out.

>> Sarah : Yeah, yeah, the movie that I'll probably refuse to watch, but yeah, yeah, definitely. I do. I will have to say though, for all of my. My annoyance and my, I don't care about this show. I do strongly believe. Now, granted, it's been months since I watched those first five Episodes. But, the. This middle five episodes, were great.

>> Will: They were.

>> Sarah : It was. It was strong. It flowed. I rewound. I fast forward through maybe five or six training sequences. The ending fight went on a little bit too long to me, so I definitely fast forward. But I. Overall, I felt like they. They understood the character dynamics enough to make everyone feel useful and to. Not to retread, over a lot of the broken relationships that had occurred. I mean, but. And. And they also minimized Samantha enough where I was not irritated with her. I more irritated with her brother. To the point where on one of the episodes when he. He, When his mom drags him to go and ask for forgiveness, from Kyle, I wrote, why do they make it so hard to like any of the LaRusso children? Like, why we liked Danny, but why is his offspring so unlikable? I don't understand. and I did, in regards to Samantha, I did write down at one point, yeah, Axel tried to kiss you. Because as a viewer, I'm picking up on what Axel is picking up on. Like, what?

>> Will: Yes, thank you. Same.

>> Sarah : I was like, yeah, yeah. And then I was. When that moment happened, I was thinking to myself, I'm like, I don't feel like Samantha and Miguel have shared a single scene together. And it was like, as soon as he gets back from visiting his mom, suddenly the writers are like, oh, yeah, they are in a relationship.

>> Will: You know, I. Yeah, I mean, I know. I was like, now I'm pretty sure I was like, I know it's been a minute since I watched the first, first batch of episodes, but I don't recall m. Them breaking up, because I was like, now I know Robbie and Tori are together now. And. Yeah, it's just like, yeah, but, Yeah, I was picking up that same vibe too. But. But you're right. I mean, this. This. This was a, Was a very. And I. I messaged you over the weekend because I. I watched. I started Friday after I got home from work, and I started the episode six. And. And I will say that the sixth episode really was sort of the setup episode. It was. I won't say it was the week. It was. When I say weakest of the bunch. It wasn't because it was. It was bad. It was just sort of like, okay, let's just get everyone's bearings. They're in. You know, they won the. Oh, they won the tournament, qualified for the, you know, world championships and stuff. And, you know, and so it was doing all the things that.

>> Sarah : First

>> Will: Episodes do and you know, whenever. I guess this was I guess a mid season premiere. I guess what, I guess you could call it that. and so, but, but then, but that by end of that evening I like message you. I was just like this show did it to me again. It sucked me in. I watched all five and I'm usually not that type who like binge like that. But it just, it, it, it, it really, it did really, really work. M. And where I just like. And I can't. I have to finish this this evening because I, I, I was really invested in the story that they were telling with this, with these five episodes.

>> Sarah : Right. Right. yeah, yeah. It's, it basically was the Sakai Taikai, tournament which, which we all knew, we all knew that that was happening based on where things left off. And, and my only thing throughout these five episodes is so how long are these people staying in Barcelona like and can afford to.

>> Will: Yes. It's like Chris's drop charges. It's like. Yeah, it happened for reasons.

>> Sarah : Yeah, yeah, I, I definitely made a note about that. I was like, wow. They conveniently said, oh yeah, my charges got lost but you were technically still in jail or prison when you escaped so shouldn't there be a different charge?

>> Will: Exactly. Reasons.

>> Sarah : I'm not sure if they, if they do that. But what I will say about Kreese. A. I'm glad that for arguably the first three episodes he was kind of lingering and they, and it really was much more a focus to introduce the Iron Dragons. And I felt like the Iron Dragon sensei was Sensei Wolf was such a good juxtaposition with Johnny. Totally. more so than Danny. Like Danny and Johnny have the history going for them and they beat that to death. But I really in terms of Johnny as a character which arguably he's always been the best part of this show, he. This season they really use Sensei Wolf to like emulate the guy Johnny wants to be.

>> Will: Yeah.

>> Sarah : And, and with the reality of his life. And that all comes crashing to a head in an excellent way while they're flying back to make sure Carmen is okay and the baby is okay. And which was a good episode because up until this episode. And, and yeah, we're sorry this is going to be a free flow conversation because there's no way we're going to break down every single beat that happens in here jumping around. But in that episode and up until that point, I think for the last three seasons the writers forgot where they started with this show, which the, the the, the father son dynamic between Johnny and Miguel.

>> Will: Yes.

>> Sarah : And that, and, and I'm like, this is what we've been missing. Thank you for bringing it back here and thank you for making Miguel throughout this entire season a more mature version than what we've seen in the previous seasons. Because I can actually see how he, where he started and how he got to who he, he was now. And, and I really, I, his fears that it wasn't relationship drama with Sam or it wasn't even competition with Robbie. It was more just like I'm afraid that I'm actually, my biggest fear is going to become true and I will be alone and my belief like, and then to have that juxtaposed with Johnny and his whole situation and and, and it's not just him being alone, but also being a failure and having to hold on because of the choices he's made in his life. He still holds that burden of being a failure from, from back in the 80s when he lost to Danny.

>> Will: Yep.

>> Sarah : Like, like, I, I just, I, I, I, really think why these five episodes worked is because they took the strengths of the show and elevated them and really minimized a lot of the weaknesses that have been exploited for the past like two seasons.

>> Will: Yeah, for sure. Yeah. I, yeah, it's funny. It's like you stole my, As soon as you said the relationship between Johnny and Miguel, I was just like that. I had it in my notes, that they are the, they are the core and the harder to show. And when and when their story is clicking, the rest of it just falls into place.

>> Sarah : Right. I mean, I never thought I would want this scene and in seasons past I would have thought it was cliche. But later on when Miguel has to play therapist to both Johnny and Danny about sensei relationship, not with each other, but with their previous ones, I thought to myself, that's a pretty good scene because I didn't even really consider how, because I slept through a lot of Danny's stuff, but how they are both working through that kind of. You were my sensei, my idol, my hero, AKA father. You're not who I thought you were. How do I reconcile with that? And also as your protege, how do I make sure I don't become you? So it, I, it's, it's very, it's very good. Like, like there. I don't know what will happen in the next five episodes, but if they end it to where like we've really come full Circle. And the writing is at the degree it was in the first season. I'll be happy camper.

>> Will: I, will too. I will too. Yeah. It's funny you mentioned about Danny, not kind of sleeping through some of his parts and I agree. I think they, Again, it was very convenient, like, whenever, with him getting called away because, you know, I guess they, they set up this, this side quest with him trying to figure out what was going on with Mr. Miyagi, at, Sakai Takai years ago and in the mystery of, you know, why he hit that and, and all that, all that. And of course so that, you know, so whenever they send them off to do that weird look up, look up a place, you know, in this village somewhere. but I think, yeah, it was, it, you know, it, it was convenient for sure. It had to figure out a way to like, get John Danny out of the story.

>> Sarah : So, but he's sorry he wasn't out of the story. He had his own, like, storyline going. They just allowed, they wanted to break up the Senseis so that, so that Johnny would be left alone to train the kids.

>> Will: Right, right. And yeah, and that was where I was, exactly where I was going. It was like show, you know, because, and I think that's what makes the Miguel scene work so beautifully later in the, in the, batches of episodes because it just reinforced, you know, when Johnny, you know, because, you know, they tried it. Danny's way with Dan and you know, and Miyagi do philosophy. We're getting their asses kicked at the beginning of the tournament. And then, you know, so they wrote Danny out so he could, like, go do this side story for a bit and then, you know, have Johnny's weight to like, be the forefront and, and see that, that blunt instrument. And like you said, the Sensei wolf, I mean, that's, you know, that's, that's what Johnny wants to be. But it's just, that's just not who, you know, but it's, that's, for whatever reason, it's just he, he, he's not that guy. You know, he's, he's, he's matured, you know, because of Carmen and everything else. He's not that guy anymore. Where, where, where, you know, the word of Sensei Wolf was like, you know, literally abuse an axel.

>> Sarah : Yeah. So, yeah, so he didn't, he didn't, he, he knows what to take from Chris and what not to take from. But I, I, I don't necessarily think that they conveniently did that. just to highlight Johnny. because arguably his way didn't work either.

>> Will: No. Yeah. Yeah, it didn't work at all. It didn't work at all because the balance wasn't there. Yeah.

>> Sarah : Neither way work. and it also led to one of my least favorite scenes. the worst scene in this time season when. When Sam goes off on Johnny and, and then even Devon Devin tries to put her in her place and Sam ends up back attacking him. Like, whoa, Sam. Like, this is. This is why, what's her name? I can. Yeah, this is why Tori went to the other side. Like. Like, aren't you supposed to be showing how. How there isn't parental favoritism happening? I just. For. For. It just was. I'm like, this is tone death. I don't. I don't like this at all. Not just because it's attacking. Like, I'm fine with people attacking Johnny. We. We know he sucks, but at the same time, like, it just felt so entitled. And I'm like, they could have done differently. But I felt like even though I didn't really like the whole Miyagi of it all and the Miyagi mystery and Danny going by, I think that, having Danny do that also more importantly highlighted how Danny did prioritize Miyagi over everyone else.

>> Will: He did. Yeah.

>> Sarah : Which Johnny has not done. And. And I really wish. And maybe. Maybe that could have made the Sam scene not stick out like a slower thumb of, like, somebody bringing that to her attention. Because I felt like I. I don't feel like that was. I. I felt like, like. So. So you're just doing this so that the kids can get mad at Johnny like, rather than. Than it be like, clear how. How Johnny wants this and wants this for the kids and is. Is trying. He doesn't have all the tools and he doesn't have, like. He also is like one half of a team here. But Danny is. Has. Is prioritizing his own childhood trauma thing over. Over making sure that they win. So I feel like there should have been more of a pushback against, that decision and those choices that Danny made, and maybe that's how they could have avoided his storyline. Not really. Not really mounting too much in this season.

>> Will: Yeah. Yeah. I think you hit the nail on the head. I think that's why when I said. I guess it seemed convenient, because it did. There. There was that. That, I mean, they. You're right, they touched on it, they danced around it, but they never really made it full. they didn't have a. Whereas I think Johnny's story was definitely more fleshed out with, you know, with. With all the things that he was dealing with and. And especially like, with, you know, whenever Carmen, was. Was had the issues with the pregnancy and stuff and having to go back. But, you know, even at that, you know, to your point about Danny, putting everything, you know, putting Miyagi above everything, you know, I think it was interesting to sort of. Even though Johnny really wanted that tournament so bad, he still, you know, you know, because he's trying to be a better man and, And. And be there for Miguel, you know, did do the right thing to go back and be with Carmen, even though he really wanted that tournament so bad.

>> Sarah : Yeah. Yeah. I. I thank you for bringing that up because I love how there was no conversation. It was kind of like, oh, no, we're leaving. Like, it wasn't even a discussion. And I can appreciate nobody pushed back because, like, it was. It was a known life or death. We're talking about the mom. We're talking about also a pregnant person you're going to be now. Now when. When at the end of the episode, she's like, go win. And it's like, oh, how long does it take?

>> Will: Yeah, there was some game, but there was some. Definitely Game of Thrones, like, top travel tops there for sure, people.

>> Sarah : I love how. I love how these events are all so nicely timed for this little diversion to happen and for them to come back. And plenty of training time, too.

>> Will: No jet lag, no nothing there. Everybody's sprying, ready to go. But, But, yeah, yeah, but. But I think it, you know, to your point, though, it just. It does. It just shows the maturity because of Johnny, you know, because especially, you know, how, you know, he's. Because he realizes he got a second chance here and he. I think he even mentions that in. In the. In the. In the show. Maybe not the exact words, but you know, where he messed up with Robbie. He's definitely not going to mess up with this. With this. With his new daughter that's on the way.

>> Sarah : Yeah. And other than Samantha, I, do think that arguably the Robbie Tori stuff. Oh, my God. Get out. Like, I just. I was like, okay. I just. I'm so, so glad. For at least five episodes, Miguel was not dragged into the trenches. That is the. The kid storylines. It was just. They started and then, we would. We would spend a little bit of time and then we'd veer. And I'm like, thank God. Thank God. M. Yeah. And. And, and to the point, Quan. Okay, okay, okay, Quan, how do I put this delicately? Rip potentially probably. Yeah. Yeah. I. I don't. By the end of it, I was like, this guy is so freaking annoying.

>> Will: Yeah. Yeah.

>> Sarah : Is so badly written. Badly written. And he just, he's. He's. He's the villain twirling mustache person, kid version. I mean, let's not even get into Terry Silver of it all. Like, who cares? But Quan, I mean, so, so we. We get, we get a brawl. Which. Yeah, I mean, how could we. How, how. I don't know how they end like the, the next five episodes if, episode 15 doesn't end in a brawl where you were like. Why. How We. We all remember the, the. The season where Robbie falls or no kicks Miguel. Miguel falls, breaks his back, and it's all at the school with adults. Well, apparently there was a whole commission and they were easily taken out by these karate people. so you're telling me you eliminate the Russians, for drugs and performance enhancement drugs yet, ah, they are still allowed to attend the final event as, Why? Why? I don't think it makes sense.

>> Will: There's no, there's no sense. There's no sense. I mean this is like. Yeah. I mean they should have been on the first plane out of Barcelona in this grace. But no, we. Yeah, so again, it's Cobra Kai. So. Yeah, so we have Cobra Kai rules. So we got to have a brawl at the end of season.

>> Sarah : Yeah.

>> Will: And I actually, which, Which I have to say, I mean, because the fight. For the fight choreography this season was on point as far as these, these five. The. The mid season, episodes. I mean, I really, I did. You know, like you said, sometimes it will draw out and I will, you know, get kind of like. Yeah, but I felt like the choreography this time was on point. I mean, even, Yeah, but, so when did the. When the brawl broke out. You know, I should have seen it coming because that's just like, that's just baked into the DNA of the show. But. Yeah, but, So it did kind of. Did it take a little bit away from it. From me for, for that reason.

>> Sarah : Yeah, it. It also. See, if it was quick, you wouldn't have time to think about the logic. Yeah, but because I feel like half of this final episode was the brawl and on. And every now and then we would cut to home where. Oh yeah, FYI, they are nationally. They're streaming this nationally in, the US because they're in Barcelona on tv. And, and literally a kid accidentally impales himself because he, he was trying to hurt someone else. Which I'm kind of glad they did it that way because I would have thought it would because I think it, I'm just going to call it right now. Yeah, they're going to have to do some, a lot of, a lot of Cobra, Kai shit to make me believe that anybody but Axel, will win.

>> Will: Yeah, he's like like Drago from like from Rocky. Like because again, all the 80s influences. Yeah.

>> Sarah : Less evil. Less evil too because he clearly has a heart like, like you saw those brief. I, I, I can appreciate the Sam stuff with him just because it allowed him to be like clear like this kid is, is being abused. And but it's also, I don't get the impression that he hates karate either. So, so it, he's a very, he's someone that I am. he's more on the enemy side of someone. Like, okay, we could do more stuff with him. I don't know why you would pair him with Sam though. Let's, let's get Tori over here. Okay. Robbie's doing. So I, yeah. Overall I'm, I'm glad that it was Quan who had to fall on this, on the sword, as opposed to them using that as a way to get rid of Axel. So then it would make it easier for us to believe that Cobra Kai could, or not Cobra Kai but Miyagi do could win this thing. but, but, but yeah, I, It just went on for so long that it allowed too much time for me to think.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, I was like man, like this brawl is going. yeah, I did, I was the same, I was like when's ending already? End it. Because, yeah, because you know, he had Johnny becoming, you know, fighting with, with Crease and Silver and you know, and then, but you know, everybody had to have their moment. So you know, Devin and Kenny had their moments. you know, and you know, and I did like, you know and I just this real quickly you're talking about Antony LaRusso and Kenny. And one thing I did like too was everybody had this. What, what. Another thing I liked about this season is everyone had to face up to things that they had done in the past and it, and they really like Devin, you know, cheating her way onto the team. And you know, Johnny knew.

>> Sarah : Johnny, Johnny knew and was just like, I'm just allowing you to go through that process. And like that is, that is actually a sensei thing. To do like that is someone who. And, and it makes more sense for all of Devin's defense of him. Like she, she saw something in him that made her feel protected and he showed it in that instance. Let, like. No, that's, that's. I'm. I'm not gonna sell you out to the looser house. You're gonna figure this out. But while at the same time they're needed. Like even if she hadn't had done that, Kenny and what's his face, Antony. Antony needed resolution for their whole thing. So. So even though I, I really don't like the Lucio children, I'm glad at least and I'm glad for the main part. It was a lot of Amanda interacting with Kenny.

>> Will: Yeah.

>> Sarah : Yeah. So I, and, and I'm. I'm glad that they were able to figure out a way for Amanda to be in the show but not, not like inconveniently.

>> Will: So, yeah, yeah, it did flow. Yeah. Because I felt. Yeah, it did flow very well as far as how they had the things back in Los Angeles, with, with. With her story. And then you know, and of course there was Hawk and Dimitri and you know, and I was, I will say, there were some parts of their back and forth Pickering and stuff. But did that were. That was some places where I was just like, all right, let's come up. Let's, let's. Let's move it along with these guys.

>> Sarah : Because I was so over it. I was. Yeah, it was like. I don't even. I vaguely remember how this started and I didn't care then and I don't care now.

>> Will: Yeah, yeah, bye. But yeah, my, My one thing that the chosen and What's the name? Kim. The Yeah, they're. They're hooking up was like. I saw it was it. That was one of my like highlights of the season of this, of this mid thing. You saw it coming with their back, you know, with whenever they were, you know, looking for the kids that, that night and stuff and, and you know, and then they hooked it up on the beach and, and And then the next day with the whole thing. Oh, it's a mistake. And it was just like everything about it was just like it's perfect for me. But also it was also good that they gave the actress who plays that character Cam, I think is her name, you know, something more to do, instead of just standing there with her just to be like the foiled, you know, and hence, you know, just Talk about her grandfather. Grandfather. That's with, with the Cobra Kai. They gave her something to do. Yeah.

>> Sarah : Both her and Chosen they. In previous seasons, they had a very specific role, concerning their, their juxtaposition with some of the main characters. But now that, like, everyone's assembled, they had to. The writers had to figure out how to still incorporate them. And I think more than just chosen, her character, I really appreciated the scenes between her and Tori throughout the season. I felt like almost we needed one or two more of those just because that was a good. Because there's so much father, son, father, daughter stuff that I think we needed a maternal element and I. And I can appreciate. I really like that scene between her and Tori where Tori asked her, was it all worth it? And you could see in, the actress's performance how the character, like Tori, then had to explain the question, like, don't misunderstand. And she was taken aback by it. Even after the explanation. Yeah, she still doubled down, but. But you could tell there was some reflection and a seed planted, where. Where. I don't know when you put it like that, I don't know if it was all worth it, at the end, but, All right, well, like we said before, we'll get to Cobra kai the final five episodes, maybe in 2026.

>> Will: Probably sooner or sooner or maybe July if there's nothing. Well, I guess we got. Well, we got Superman, a Fantastic Four, so.

>> Sarah : Ye.

>> Will: There may not be a law.

>> Sarah : We make no promises. We learn from the big guys. You don't. You don't make your promises because things happen. so we will get to it when we get to it. It's not a high priority, though. but no spoilers, guys. That's not cool. so in the meantime, Will, why don't you tell our listeners where they can find you?

>> Will: Yes, you can find me. M on all the socials, at Will and Polk, W I L L M P O L K. And you.

>> Sarah : Can follow me there, too, at S.J. belmont SJBLM O N T. Please follow our crew on X, formerly known as Twitter, Enanerd on bluesky at sceneanerd and friend us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and threads scene underscore nard and visit our website, www.scenanerdpodcast.com. but most importantly, rate, follow and comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever your podcast. Good night. Geek out. You're welcome.