If all you want for Christmas is more Cobra Kai, Season 3 is fast approaching, with an expected early January release. A new promotional tease is bringing in the holiday spirit, but also a warning about John Kreese.A tweet promoting the upcoming third season of Cobra Kai broke out the dad jokes, luring in the audience with the familiar lyrics, "He sees you when you're sleeping. He know when you're awake. He knows when you've been bad or good." Re-contextualized, those powers are terrifyingly applied to a villain of the show, now dubbed "Kreese Kringle."
The video proceeds to show some disappointed children in tears at the presence of the unwanted Christmas Kreese. What remains uncertain, however, is whether they're crying from fear of Kreese, or disappointment from the groan-worthy pun.
Regardless, Kreese's presence in the show almost always forebodes some misery. The ruthless dojo master certainly isn't one who characteristically brings cheer to those around him, with the exception of his equally menacing students. Kreese is more of an anti-Santa, punishing the good children and rewarding the bullies.
As much as a dad joke might induce eye-rolls, it's appropriate for a show like Cobra Kai which is centered around fatherhood, often in a tumultuous way. There is the literal fatherhood that both Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence struggle with, both not quite able to fully relate to their children. However, the show also focuses on figurative fatherhood through their mentoring roles.
Cobra Kai also demonstrates that both Daniel and Johnny are relatively out of touch, especially in regards to the new generation of martial artists now in focus. It remains to be seen whether the karate masters can overcome this issue in the next season of Cobra Kai, set to debut on Netflix Jan. 8.
Cobra Kai stars William Zabka, Ralph Macchio, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni Decenzo, Peyton List and Martin Kove. Season 3 arrives on Netflix Jan. 8, 2021.