Summary
Sam LaRusso was one of the best characters inCobra Kai, and she has had so many incredible scenes throughout the show’s run. As the daughter of Daniel LaRusso, Sam’s karate skills date back to her early childhood, and once she returned to practice under Miyagi-Do, she consistently proved herself to be a fighter of great tenacity and power. With incredible character growth throughoutCobra Kaiand no shortage of complicated relationships with her fellow students and rivals, Sam has been an important part of this Netflix series since the beginning.
From her romances withMiguel Diaz and Robby Keeneto her antagonistic rivalry with Tory Nichols and complicated friendship with Aisha Robinson, Sam has plenty of significant moments throughoutCobra Kai. Although some viewers may not connect with Sam’s often reckless behavior, this was what made her engaging, as she suffered the struggles of being a teenager and the challenges of being the child of the originalKarate Kid. As a formidable fighter and a tantrum-prone teen,Sam LaRussa had some incredible scenes inCobra Kai.
10First Training In Miyagi-Do
Season 1, Episode 10, “Mercy”
As the daughter ofThe Karate Kidhimself, Daniel LaRusso, it made sense that Sam had trained in martial arts when she was younger, but when she was introduced inCobra Kai, she had moved on from her childhood interest. Despite this, Daniel always hoped she would return to karate and that he could teach her how it could guide her life in the same way that Mr. Miyagi did for him as a teenager. AlthoughSam claimed she had no interest in joining Miyagi-Do, it was clear that a small part of her wanted to reconnect with this side of herself.
Sam reconnecting with karate was part of her character arc throughout the first season ofCobra Kaiand was finally realized in the season finale, “Mercy.” Here, Sam looked back on an old photo of herself and Daniel practicing and quickly showed that she still has what it took to fight. As Sam delivered expert punches and kicks before looking directly at the camera,Cobra Kaiviewers knew that Sam would no longer be merely observing the fighting but actively training with Miyagi-Do in Season 2.
9Reunited With Aisha
Season 4, Episode 6, “Kicks Get Chicks”
The longstandingfriendship between Sam LaRusso and Aisha Robinsonwas a major part ofCobra Kai’searliest seasons, as Sam stood firmly on the Miyagi-Do side while Aisha found meaning and belonging with Cobra Kai. The two teenagers' friendship suffered because of this divide, and although neither wanted to harm the other, they often found themselves at loggerheads. The pair had an unresolved history that felt like it would never reach a satisfying conclusion whenAisha was written out ofCobra Kaiat the end of Season 2.
However, thankfully, this was not where the story ended. Sam and Asiah were briefly reunited in the Season 4 episode “Kicks Get Chicks” when Sam visited her old friend, who had moved away. This was an incredible cathartic scene as Sam came to clear the air, and they discussed the fight at school and her troubles with Tory Nichols. Aisha imparted wisdom to Sam in this satisfying scene as she told her about not letting the past repeat itself and trying to see the best in people who would otherwise remain rivals.
8Not Knowing Her Limits At Moon’s Party
Season 2, Episode 9, “Pulpo”
Although Sam LaRusso was a character who usually kept her behavior in check, there were some occasions where her inhabitations were let loose, such as when she allowed herself to be an accomplice to the hit-and-run on Johnny’s car in the first episode. However, this was taken a step further during Moon’s party in Season 2, when Sam began drinking heavily. While this wasn’t a positive moment in Sam’s life, it stood as one of her best moments inCobra Kaias it gave insight into the flaws in her character and ability to make poor decisions.
At the end of the day, Sam was a teenager, and she had been facing an incredible emotional overload that led to her losing control at the party. Then, afterfinding out that Miguel had returned Daniel’s medal, she foolishly kissed him in front of Tory. This poor decision would have a domino effect on manyCobra Kaicharacters, including Sam, Tory, Miguel, and Robby, and played into the fractured relationships that made this Netflix series so compelling to watch.
7On A Date With Miguel
Season 1, Episode 7, “All Valley”
The romance between Sam LaRusso and Miguel Diaz has been one of the most consistent storylines in all ofCobra Kai. As a heartwarming representation of teenage love in the first season, one of Sam’s cutest moments came with her and Miguel’s date in the episode “All Valley.” This was when they played mini golf together, started deepening their connection, and Miguel won Sam a stuffed octopus toy, which would become an important symbol of their relationship moving forward.
While so much ofCobra Kairevolved around karate and fighting, it was scenes like this that grounded the show in reality, as its teenage characters were having real experiences as they slowly started to fall for one another. Withgreat chemistry between the actors Xolo Maridueña and Mary Mouser, even after several seasons ofCobra Kai, this has remained a defining moment in their relationship. As they grew apart and even turned against one another in later seasons, the memory of their beautiful first date kept audiences rooting for them to reunite.
6The Fight at West Valley Mall
Season 2, Episode 5, “All In”
While there have been confrontations throughoutCobra Kai,the mid-Season 2 epic fight at West Valley Mallwas one of the most memorable of them all. This started because Hawk confronted his old friend Demetri about his bad review of the Cobra Kai dojo, and it quickly escalated into an intense showdown, from which Demetri soon fled. However, it did not end there, and, in one of Sam LaRusso’s best moments, she and Robby arrived to kick some Cobra Kai butt.
With incredible charisma and unflinching confidence, Sam told Hawk and his crew that they “need to back off” before she, Robby, and Demetri destroyed their opponents in a five-against-three battle. Not only was this a highlight for Sam’s character, it also showcased the growing skills of Miyagi-Do students. As Sam proved the benefits of a more calculated and less aggressive fighting approach, she honored the legacy of the late Mr. Miyagi and utilized her fathers teachings.
5Finding Balance With Robby
Season 2, Episode 2, “Back in Black”
Since Sam LaRusso trained under her father in Miyagi-Do, she has always been taught using Daniel’s unique methods, as learned from Mr. Miyagi. This was especially apparent in the Season 2 episode “Back in Black” when she and Robby were trained on a wooden board on the LaRusso pond, and, for this to work, they needed to strike the right balance and find unity with one another. Not only was this training sequence symbolically resonant regarding Sam and Robby’s deepening relationship, but it also proved the merits of Miyagi-Do.
Although Sam and Robby initially struggled to stand on the board and were quickly submerged in water, they soon discovered a wordless language with one another as they moved in unison. This was an essential moment in both fighters' development as the threat of Cobra Kai’s students grew ever larger. Witha montage as Sam and Robby continued to train, this incredible moment was among the best montages inthe entireKarate Kidfranchise.
4Sam and Miguel Get Back Together
After all the ups and downs inSam LaRusso’s relationship with Miguel Diaz, it was incredible to see them mending what had been broken in the Season 5 finale, “Head of the Snake.” This climatic moment felt earned as the two characters had developed so much since they first got together back in Season 1. As the two cleared the air and Miguel confessed his love to Sam, it felt for the first time in a long while that the two may actually have a shot at a happy ending.
While viewers will have to wait and see what happens in the final season ofCobra Kai, this was a fitting moment to end the finale and left audiences with a sense of hope for all that will come in the final batches of episodes. Sam was never perfect, and Miguel often acted badly, but a shared sense of understanding oozed from this scene, and they spoke honestly to one another. With a shared kiss, it felt amazing for Sam and Miguel to be back together after all this time.
3Tory Comes Clean To Sam
Season 5, Episode 8, “Taikai”
Sam LaRusso found it hard to accept losing to Tory Nicolas at the All-Valley Championship in Season 4, but what she didn’t know was that Terry Silver had bribed the referee to ensure Cobra Kai’s victory. This was a development that ate away at Tory, as she was conflicted about her rivalry with Sam and the dishonor of winning under false pretenses. An incredible Sam and Tory moment came in Season 5, when Tory decided to come clean and reveal to Sam how she really won the championship.
With this significant revelation, Sam could not hold back her anger as she let loose at her rival whileTory pleaded for understanding about Cobra Kai’s soul-destroying expectations. While she lashed out and told Tory she was a coward, it was hard for the viewer not to sympathize with Tory, although Mary Mouser’s incredible acting must be commended. As a significant moment for Sam’s character, her lack of understanding highlighted just how similar she was to her father, Daniel, who also tended to be ruled by his emotions, acting first and asking questions later.
2Sam Jumps The Roof
Season 4, Episode 3, “Then Learn Fly”
One of the best things about Sam LaRusso’s character was her willingness to learn from the defense-based practices of Miyagi-Do while also embracing the aggressive stance of Eagle Fang. However, even Sam had her limits, and when Johnny Lawrence wanted the Miyagi-Do students to make a dangerous roof jump, she voiced her concern. Despite this, in one of Sam’s most reckless but badass moments, she took a leap of faith and, to the shock of her fellow students, made the jump.
Sam jumping from the roof was an important representation that she held many different facets to her personalityand could learn just as much from Johnny’s impulsive teaching style as she could from her father’s careful calculation. With the power to consistently surprise those around her, the jump showed that Sam should not be underestimated, and when push came to shove, she could overcome all fear. This made Sam an intriguing wildcard whenever it came to fighting against Cobra Kai or any other opponent.
1Fighting Tory At The All-Valley
Season 4, Episode 10, “The Rise”
The entire arc ofSam LaRusso’s character throughout the first four seasons ofCobra Kaiwas building toward her final fight at the All-Valley Championshipagainst Tory Nicolas. This was a definitive moment that brought together Sam’s rivalry with Tory, her love for karate and Miyagi-Do, and the tension between herself and Cobra Kai as an institution. With all of this on the line, it was heartbreaking to see Sam lose the fight under false pretenses, but it still remained her greatest moment from all ofCobra Kai.
Sam showed incredible tenacity in this fight and proved herself to be a fighter of real skill and showmanship. Although the bribed referee meant that things would never go her way, Sam still fought to the bitter end and did everything in her power to come out victorious for herself, her father, and all the Miyagi-Do students. Sam’s loss at the All-Valley was a devastating blow that had a ripple effect on her character throughout the subsequent seasons ofCobra Kai.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
