As a longtime fan of Cobra Kai, I must say that it has been an absolute honor to witness the evolution of this iconic franchise under the guidance of its talented creators and the exceptional performances of its cast members, especially Martin Kove as John Kreese.
[This story contains spoilers from Cobra Kai season six, Part 2.]
In July, when Cobra Kai’s Season Six concluded, marking the start of its three-part grand finale, a significant character was conspicuously absent – this villain being someone whom numerous fans considered an integral piece in the overall narrative puzzle.
That character was mega-rich martial arts expert Terry Silver, played by Thomas Ian Griffith.
Previously, viewers witnessed Silver engaged in a fierce one-on-one contest with Daniel LaRusso in season five, vying for control of the Cobra Kai school and its pupils. The situation seemed bleak for LaRusso, until he resorted to the reliable “crane kick” to conclude the fight and secure victory. Defeated and ashamed, Silver was left vanquished.
In the initial scenes of Part 2 of the sixth and last season of the popular Netflix series, it was revealed that antagonists Silver and John Kreese (Martin Kove) were supposedly imprisoned separately, but it turned out that the news in a local paper was false for both of them.
In episode nine of season six, viewers were taken back to a past event where Silver utilized his riches to secure an early release from prison and journeyed to Bangkok with the intention of enlisting Sensei Wolf’s Iron Dragons as his sponsored team for the Sekai Taikai tournament. The fighting style of Wolf is unorthodox, disregarding official regulations, and he encourages his pupils to inflict serious harm on their opponents, even advocating for it. With Silver’s life drawing to a close, he harbored a desire for revenge against the newly combined Miyagi-Do dojo led by LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, which had qualified for the tournament in Barcelona. For Silver, there can be no truce until the new school, now under the leadership of his former friend turned adversary Kreese, receives some form of retribution.
Recently, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Griffith about the evolution of one of Cobra Kai’s most notorious antagonists: Silver. They discussed how Silver transformed into a source of chaos and confusion in Season 2’s finale, and what it’s been like working within the Cobra Kai universe, which will conclude with Season 3 in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the series.
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It looks like Terry Silver is known for devising complex strategies when it comes to retaliating against LaRusso and Kreese. Were you aware that Silver would return with the Iron Dragons all along?
Initially, when they proposed this idea, it seemed like we were looking at two seasons in four and five. However, as things progressed, Terry appeared to have run his course. I thought, “That was a satisfactory conclusion.” Then they mentioned, “You know, we’re wrapping everything up in season six, and Terry needs to be involved.” I understand because, from a narrative standpoint, Terry is the antagonist who influences our main characters the most. Additionally, he has that driving force to bring the story to its climax. Without him, it might have been a misstep; therefore, I’m grateful they brought him back for the final act.
Who does Silver hate the most, Kreese or LaRusso?
They’re different, and I don’t like the word hate, but I think it was always an antipathy to Daniel because of what he believed was so opposite of what I [Terry Silver] did. And having been a student, how you see someone — how you first meet someone — sometimes, you carry that image of them for the rest of your life. And I think Terry has probably misjudged him. But by the end, I think he realizes Daniel is a worthy adversary and there’s something he has to respect about that.
Given their longstanding relationship and Kreese’s loyalty, betrayal seems to have struck a particularly deep chord with Terry Silver. This betrayal, unlike any other, is significant because Terry has dedicated his life to a particular philosophy under Kreese. When Kreese deviates from this path and exhibits weaknesses, it’s unacceptable for Terry. His respect for Kreese seems to have waned considerably. In the climactic battle at Sekai Taikai, Terry appears determined to eliminate him, suggesting he has discarded all moral principles and codes. However, Terry doesn’t attempt to kill him until a later point, when tensions escalate significantly.
Thus, Silver consistently sowed confusion, yet he abducted LaRusso, leading him to believe it was Kreese.
In my opinion, Terry possesses a remarkable knack for maneuvering situations, stemming from his curiosity: “What can I achieve?” However, I don’t want to give the impression of a villain twirling a mustache, as he focuses on the human aspect. He skillfully exploits emotions like loss or pain to connect with people, and this aligns perfectly with Miyagi-Do’s essence – something Terry should be well aware of. This unique blend of intelligence, life experience, and unpredictability makes him an intriguing character to watch.
Let’s discuss Terry Silver’s squad, the Iron Dragons. This team features Rayna Vallandingham, a professional Taekwondo player in real life, and Lewis Tan, portraying Sensei Wolf, who is known for his martial arts skills.
To rejoin that world where respect was lost, the character might find a way by purchasing the top-tier team, specifically the Iron Dragon team due to their shared ideology, which aligns closely with what he envisions Cobra Kai should be. This move could help him regain his standing and achieve honorable victories over rivals like Kreese and Miyagi-Do. With a dwindling life expectancy, Terry Silver is increasingly desperate and self-destructive, using the team as a means to an end. However, this obsession may ultimately lead to his downfall, as he seems to be losing sight of what once made him admirable. Yet, we still see flashes of the Terry Silver from the ’80s, providing a nostalgic element that adds to the show’s enjoyment.
Were there many authentic martial artists involved in the spectacular fight sequences depicted in Sekai Taikai, particularly the major battle at the end of Part 2? I have a feeling that you are one, but just wondering…
Throughout my entire life, I’ve been deeply immersed in martial arts. It’s fascinating to observe the actors on the show, as I’m unsure if any of them possess authentic martial arts training. However, a skilled stunt team collaborated with them and significantly improved their performance, whether it was leveraging their athletic prowess, dance skills, or other abilities, to truly convincingly portray martial arts scenes.
In the sixth season, we started working with genuine martial artists, and it was truly delightful to be around. Each generation was amazing, but the new kids they brought on were extraordinary! To share that experience and think, “I need to step up my performance,” was incredible. The stunt performers I collaborated with who doubled for William Zabka or Martin Kove were top-tier martial artists; when I faced them off, it felt like a release! And once we got into fight mode, it was enjoyable because even at my age, I still love that adrenaline rush.
In this show, each season culminates with a grand tournament that grows progressively larger and more spectacular. The finale, being aware of its significance, is intended to feature an epic fight sequence within a single episode. It’s astonishing how they managed to pull it off, given the exceptional martial arts skills on display. If you look closely, there are many background performers executing impressive moves.
The experience can sometimes become a bit repetitive, but just when you’re starting to feel a bit dull, something deeply emotional happens with one of the characters, which keeps things engaging. The intrigue lies in the fact that you progress through an extraordinary event and then, unexpectedly, a child dies. This moment is shocking and tragic, crossing a line that leaves a deep impression. Now I find myself thinking, “I can’t wait to see the next few episodes. I want to know what will happen to Terry after this incident. If he was already struggling, how will he cope now?
Will Terry Silver be a part of the final five episodes?
It’s fascinating, they asked me back to inject Terry Silver’s vigor and determination into the series. However, the larger perspective is that this marks the conclusion of this incredible journey. To be a part of something so phenomenal was truly remarkable. After wrapping up Cobra Kai and Virgin River, I took a trip to Greece with my wife for ten days, and it wasn’t until then that I realized the impact the show had on people. On these small islands in Greece, everyone seemed to be fans of Cobra Kai. It struck me that I had brought joy and escape to these individuals.
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The first two parts of Cobra Kai’s sixth and last season are currently available for streaming on Netflix. The third part will be released on February 13, 2025. You can also read an interview with the creators, Hayden Schlossberg, Josh Heald, and Jon Hurwitz, published by THR.
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2024-12-01 00:55