Quote Originally Posted by Pex View Post
Obligatory: In fandom of course I'm on Team Miyagi, but I can mourn with everyone for Rob Garrison. It's on purpose irony the kid who says "Put him in a body bag" ends up in a body bag in the show, but the unfortunate coincidental timing of real life is sad and was not deserving. Separate the actor from the character. I remain a fan of Martin Kove since Cagney & Lacey.
I don't think it was coincidence... It feels like Garrison knew his time was coming, and decided to leave one last piece of art and add a true emotional moment to the Karate Kid legacy. The whole episode is basically a celebration and send-off party to both character and actor.