Summary
- Terry Silver's story is not over - despite initial defeat, his imprisonment may be temporary, and he could still play a significant role in Cobra Kai season 6.
- Kreese's story cannot be resolved without Terry Silver - Kreese seeks revenge on Silver, and defeating him is his ultimate goal, making their face-to-face encounter crucial.
- Terry Silver is important to Kim Sun-Yung's origin story - if Kim's legacy is relevant in season 6, both Kreese and Silver should be involved, given their connection to him.
Multiple story points explain why Cobra Kai shouldn't close the door on Terry Silver just yet. On the surface, Cobra Kai season 5's ending suggests that Terry Silver has faced his final defeat in The Karate Kid universe. However, there's been no confirmation that Thomas Ian Griffin has left Cobra Kai, nor is there any definitive proof that Daniel and Johnny have seen the last of him.
After teaming up with Kreese in Cobra Kai season 4 and slowly devolving back into his old, villainous self from The Karate Kid Part III, Terry Silver emerged as the main antagonist for the show's fifth season. At a certain point in the story, there was a sense that it would stretch into season 6, with the two sides battling it out at the Sekai Taikai tournament.
Rather than take that course, Cobra Kai brought the battle to a head in the finale, preventing Terry Silver from seeing his plans through to fruition. From the looks of things, his schemes have fallen apart completely, and he's forever lost the trust of his students. But, that's not to say Terry Silver's story is over.
6 Terry Silver's Imprisonment Should Be Temporary (If It Happens At All)
There was a feeling of confidence from Daniel and Johnny at the end of the season 5 finale that was perhaps misplaced. As Daniel himself noted, Silver's lawyers will have trouble getting him out of the situation he's found himself in.
In other words, a prison sentence is far from assured. Silver's cheating has been proven, and he may also be charged with assault against Stingray. But only the latter would be any real threat to Silver's legal team. And even that may be something that his connections and resources may be able to fix.
Alternatively, it's possible that Silver will indeed face legal consequences for his actions, but they shouldn't be serious enough to keep him out of the equation for long. What made Kreese's predicament so severe was the lack of people in his corner, whereas Silver will have competent lawyers working hard to reduce any potential criminal sentence he receives. If a time skip happens in Cobra Kai season 6, he could already be free when the series returns.
5 Cobra Kai Can't Resolve Kreese's Story Without Terry Silver
While it's true that Cobra Kai did appear to wrap up Daniel, Johnny, and Chozen's fight with Terry Silver, it shouldn't be forgotten that one key conflict remains unresolved. Kreese promised revenge on Silver before being taken away by police officers in the season 4 finale.
By giving information on the Sekai Taikai to Johnny and Daniel, Kreese got a chance to play a role in Silver's defeat, but it's hard to imagine that being enough for him. Kreese, being someone who prefers direct action, likely won't be content until he gets a face-to-face encounter with his former friend.
Furthermore, any quest for revenge that Kreese embarks on against Johnny and Daniel in Cobra Kai season 6 can't be complete without Silver. After all, out of all his potential enemies, none of them has wronged him worse than Silver. If defeating Silver is his ultimate goal, it would be fitting for John Kreese vs. Terry Silver to be the endgame for both characters.
4 Terry Silver Is Important To Kim Sun-Yung's Origin Story
Judging by the direction Cobra Kai looks to be taking in season 6, Terry Silver should be of great relevance to what comes next. C.S. Lee has been cast as Kim Sun-Yung, the South Korean martial arts master who trained Kreese and Silver after the Vietnam War.
Given that the actor is 52 years old and the fact that Kim is probably dead in the Cobra Kai timeline, it can be assumed that the show will feature flashbacks of the character. If Kim's legacy is important to Cobra Kai season 6, it stands to reason that both of his American students - and not just Kreese - should be involved in the story.
3 Terry Silver Has Developed A Bond With Kenny
Another character arc that would go unfinished without Terry Silver would be Kenny's. Many of the kids on the show have found a mentor in one of the Karate Kid legacy characters they can either relate to on some level or put their trust in. For Kenny, that person has been Terry Silver.
It's been clear since season 4, even when Robby was around, that Kenny was Silver's favorite pupil. Silver's disappointment at Kenny's loss to Robby in the tournament was made plain in the show. Silver continued to be a mentor to him in season 5, with the character teaching Kenny one of his special techniques, the Silver Bullet.
The events of the season 5 finale seemingly shattered whatever image Kenny had of Silver, which opens up questions about what's next for both characters. If Kenny is to abandon Cobra Kai and turn his back on his sensei's teachings, Silver should be a part of that story, as a full confrontation - as opposed to Kenny's brief rejection of him in the finale - feels necessary for closure. Any storyline that revisits their dynamic can also acknowledge Silver's apparent sincerity when it came to Kenny. There was a sense that for all Silver's flaws, he truly did want to make Kenny's life better.
2 Daniel Redeemed His Loss To Terry Silver, But Johnny Didn't
By having Terry Silver show up at the dojo, Cobra Kai allowed Daniel a chance to redeem his loss to Silver from earlier in the season. Of course, the series never did afford Johnny Lawrence the same opportunity.
He was dealt a humiliating loss to Silver, who easily controlled their entire fight in season 4. Johnny referenced the fight in season 5 and seemed to have an interest in getting a rematch, but it never came to pass. If Terry Silver comes back for the final season, Cobra Kai can offer a more thrilling version of its Johnny vs. Silver fight, one where Johnny isn't caught off guard.
Terry Silver looking at Johnny in Cobra Kai season 5
Arguably the biggest loose end pertaining to Terry Silver in Cobra Kai is his perceived illness. Early in season 4, one of his servants was noticeably concerned for Silver's health when he didn't want to eat. When Johnny and Carmen met Silver at the hospital in Cobra Kai season 5, the show made a point of revealing that Silver didn't follow him there.
This was a clue that Silver had personal reasons for visiting the hospital. That, combined with his speech to Chozen about desiring a legacy for himself after he's gone, supports the theory that Terry Silver may be suffering from a terminal illness.
Such a twist being confirmed in Cobra Kai season 6 would help humanize the character, while also opening up new avenues to explore with him. Silver admitting his grim outlook can expose viewers to a new, more vulnerable side of the villain that's very different from the confident, calculating mastermind he was portrayed as in season 5.
