Terry Silver’s Entire Villain Story In Cobra Kai Can Be Blamed On 1 Moment In Season 4

Summary

• One moment in season 4 of Cobra Kai set Terry Silver on a path back to villainy, reversing his character development.
• Daniel’s rejection of Terry Silver’s heartfelt apology reignited the anger that drove Silver’s evil plans.
• Had Daniel forgiven Silver, the main storyline of Cobra Kai could have taken a completely different direction.

Terry Silver’s entire villain arc in Cobra Kai can be blamed on just one, seemingly innocuous moment in season 4. Played by Thomas Ian Griffith, the villain of The Karate Kid Part III returned to the franchise in season 4 as a character who had long moved on from his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso. But due to the machinations of Kreese, it didn’t take long for Silver to revert to his old self.

Beating up Stingray and framing Kreese paved the way for Silver to take his former partner’s place as the greatest threat to Cobra Kai’s main characters in the series. Ahead of Cobra Kai season 5’s ending, Silver perpetrated a number of despicable acts, such as when he allegedly burned down Mike Barnes’ furniture store. As for what set all this in motion, it’s easy to attribute his misdeeds to his own flaws, as well as Kreese pushing him too far. However, there was another scene in the show, one that may have seemed relatively inconsequential at the time, that likely set Silver on this path.

Terry Silver’s Apology To Daniel LaRusso Was Sincere

Terry Silver wanted forgiveness for torturing Daniel in The Karate Kid Part III, but didn’t get it

Based on how manipulative and smooth Terry Silver can be, it’s hardly surprising that Daniel was quick to blast The Karate Kid Part III villain for everything he had done when they reunited in Cobra Kai season 4, episode 5. But while his anger was understandable, there was a deep sense of sincerity in Silver’s words when he apologized. Admitting that what he did to Daniel was “inexcusable,” and claiming that he wished he could undo it all, Silver went through a rare moment of humility in this exchange, and yet was still promptly rejected.

When looking at the thoughts Silver expressed to Kreese earlier in the series, it’s not as difficult for the audience to believe that his apology was genuine. Silver truly did seem to regret what happened, but Daniel’s decisive refusal of his apology clearly reignited the anger that drove Terry Silver’s plan in The Karate Kid Part III.How much Silver was irked by Daniel’s reaction to his apology was evidenced by the comment he made to Kreese immediately afterward, which reflected a stark turnaround in his attitude, “now, we get to work, so we can wipe the map with that arrogant little prick.”

The significance of this scene was acknowledged by Cobra Kai’s showrunners. Daniel’s talk with Silver was what “starts to fan the flame of bad guy in him,” according to co-creator Hayden Schlossberg. When this conversation happened, Silver was trying to realize his and Kreese’s original dream for Cobra Kai, but wasn’t interested in violence with other dojos. That changed after talking to Daniel, as Silver’s methods grew gradually worse as the season went on.

What Would Have Happened If Daniel Had Forgiven Terry Silver?

Kreese most likely wouldn’t have been replaced by Silver as the main villain

It’s worth wondering how things would have played out if Daniel had responded differently to Silver’s apology. As Schlossberg pointed out, “had Daniel just left well enough alone and not been such a hothead, maybe the season wouldn’t have ended the way it did.” Admittedly, Silver’s break with Kreese was inevitable on account of the way Martin Kove’s character treated him, but there’s still so much of his story that could have been considerably impacted by an early resolution to his issues with Daniel.

If Silver wasn’t fueled by getting back at Daniel, there’s a good chance that Silver’s stay in Cobra Kai would have been an extremely short one. The attack on Hawk in the same episode, for example, wouldn’t have fit with what Silver was working toward, and easily could pushed him into heading back home and giving up on their goal. Silver said before his reunion with Daniel that he didn’t want Cobra Kai to be about revenge, and if he had kept this mindset, he either would have changed the dojo’s ways or left if Kreese couldn’t be reasoned with.

Presumably, Silver backing out would have led to Kreese leading Cobra Kai into the All Valley Tournament alone at the end of season 4. Without Silver there to pay off the referee, it’s fair to say that Miyagi-do would have claimed the 1st place trophy. Assuming that Kreese would have kept his word and closed Cobra Kai, this theoretically would have been the end of the story.

What Would It Take For Terry Silver To Find Redemption In Cobra Kai?

It’s not impossible that Terry Silver tries to change his ways (again) in season 6

The amount of difference forgiveness possibly could have been made in repairing Silver’s psyche raises questions about whether it’s not too late for Silver to wind up on a different trajectory. Terry Silver was defeated in the season 5 finale, but that doesn’t rule out a return in Cobra Kai season 6, just in time for the Sekai Taikai. Being in control of Cobra Kai and caught in a dojo war with Daniel and Johnny put him on a downward spiral, and losing all his power may be what it takes for Terry Silver to get a wake-up call.

Having Kreese out of his life and no longer being a part of a karate rivalry helped Silver heal before, and could do the same for him again. If so, another apology could be forthcoming. But if Daniel wasn’t interested in forgiving him in season 4, he’ll be even more hesitant to do so now, especially after everything that happened in season 5. The wedge he tried to drive between Daniel and Amanda, destroying Barnes’ store, and instigating more conflicts with the students created additional obstacles toward peace between the two characters.

If making amends with Daniel and Johnny is even feasible, it’s still something that could not be facilitated right away. Rather, it would have to be an earned moment that comes at the end of a multi-episode – if not season-long – arc. It’s long been suggested that Terry Silver’s actions are the result of a terminal illness, and if those theories prove true, they could be used to further humanize the season 5 version of the character. By exploring this possibility, Cobra Kai could see SIlver find a better way to build the legacy he wanted to leave behind.