‘Cobra Kai’: William Zabka Calls ‘I Love You Too, Robby’ Moment ‘Painful’
The cast of Cobra Kai have started looking back at season 4, which premiered on Dec. 31. Most people binged it on New Year’s Eve weekend, and everyone else followed soon after. Five months later, fans are getting a chance to ask the stars about pivotal moments from the season. For William Zabka, the moment where Johnny Lawrence passed out and said, “I love you too, Robby” to Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) was a big one.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Cobra Kai Seasons 1-4.]
The Cobra Kai Kompanion podcast got to catch up with the cast and creators of Cobra Kai on the red carpet before their Paleyfest panel on April 8. The podcast has been talking to them since the show was on YouTube in 2018. But, “I love you, Robby” demanded answers and Zabka answered them.
William Zabka resisted the ‘Cobra Kai’ scene where Johnny says, ‘I love you too, Robby’
Robby (Tanner Buchanan) is Johnny’s estranged son. He trained with Miyagi-Do, and then he defected to Cobra Kai after Kreese kicked Johnny out. Miguel was Johnny’s first student and has become a surrogate son. Plus, Johnny is dating Miguel’s mother, Carmen (Vanessa Rubio). So mixing up the boys must’ve been hurtful to Miguel, especially after Miguel told Johnny he loves him, but it definitely was to Zabka.
“When I read it in the script, I was like, ‘No, that’s going to ruin everything. We’ve built this relationship up. I don’t want to kill it there.’” Zabka told the Cobra Kai Kompanion podcast
William Zabka said it was ‘painful’ to say this ‘Cobra Kai’ dialogue
Cobra Kai Kompanion host Peter Veunnasack told Zabka it was painful for him to hear Johnny say, “I love you too, Robby” to Miguel. Zabka agreed.
“Saying it was as painful as it was to read it,” Zabka said. “So it just came out painfully. You throw the alcohol and also he just got his ass handed to him from Silver and all the other drama that’s circling that moment.”
William Zabka explains why Johnny said ‘I love you too, Robby’
Cobra Kai fans know all the backstory that lead up to this moment. Johnny is still trying to reconnect with Robby throughout season 4. So Johnny is always hopeful that he can be Robby’s father no matter how much Robby resists. Miguel has reason to love his sensei. Johnny rehabbed Miguel after he injured his back in the high school fight. But, When Miguel says, “I love you” Johnny is already in a vulnerable place, and mostly passed out. So what comes out comes from a lot of different places.
“When he says that, he’s not even connected to anybody,” Zabka said. “He’s connected to his brokenness and part of that is Robby’s. So it was great. It was a great scene to play. I love those scenes.”
