This story contains major spoilers for Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 3. The latest season of Cobra Kai on Netflix witnessed the shocking deaths of two of the franchise’s oldest villains. Ralph Macchio, known for his role as Daniel LaRusso, weighed in on how these events may profoundly impact his character.
Season 6 culminated in a dramatic confrontation between John Kreese and Terry Silver, resulting in their fiery demise during a final fight on a boat. In a show of sacrifice, Kreese, a character who experienced a significant redemption arc, gave his life to save his former student. Macchio expressed to Netflix that the violent outcome of this showdown could leave Daniel with a heavy heart.
According to Screen Rant, Macchio stated, “Daniel LaRusso is still, at his core, a good-hearted human being. On a human level, it’s not, ‘Yay! Ding-dong, the witch is dead. Let’s celebrate!’ I think he’d probably have mixed emotions about it. They got what was coming to them, but on the flip side, it’s just kind of disturbing and unfortunate.” This reflects the complex emotional struggle Daniel faces as a character deeply rooted in morality.
Kreese and Silver, portrayed by Martin Kove and Thomas Ian Griffith respectively, have been prominent figures in the Karate Kid films, with Kreese debuting in the first film and Silver appearing in the third. Their transformation from friends to formidable enemies underscored their deep history as war veterans, and Kreese’s heroic sacrifice resonates powerfully with fans, both new and old. However, the deaths of these iconic characters have sparked significant doubt among the audience.
While the franchise has frequently employed fakeout deaths, a statement from series co-creator Hayden Schlossberg strongly suggests that the narrative choices surrounding Kreese and Silver are final. He emphasized, “We knew that the audience wanted to see Kreese and Silver go at it. It’s something that we’ve teed up for a while.” With Johnny intervening before, this time it’s Kreese stopping Silver from harming Johnny, effectively culminating the anticipated moment of sacrifice that fans have long awaited.
Further reflecting on the deaths, Schlossberg added, “We don’t see the bodies afterward. John Kreese has come back from the dead before, but this time it looks like they’ve both been taken off the table.” This hints at a definitive closure for both characters, altering the course of the narrative and leaving fans in a melancholic state regarding their legacy.
Cobra Kai Season 6 is currently available for streaming on Netflix, leaving fans to ponder the lasting consequences of these significant character deaths and what they mean for the future of the franchise.
