Cobra Kai: Would this character’s death in Season 5 have marked the perfect ending for the Karate series?

• “Cobra Kai” leaves a villain alive at the end of season 5, although his death might have been a better choice.
• John Kreese fakes his own death and breaks out of prison.
• But there is no development with him.

“Cobra Kai” is getting a 6th season. But should the Netflix series have stayed at its tragic climax instead of breaking it up?

The fifth season ended with a brilliant final battle and the resolution of many open conflicts. However, the resurgence of a character that was actually dead invites speculation about what awaits the Valley in the future.

John Kreese’s fake death

After Silver sneaked his old friend John Kreese into prison for the season 4 finale, he is never the same in season 5. While Silver grows in power and influence in the Valley, Kreese is behind bars and seeking parole.

In addition, his old rivals Daniel and Johnny visit him, but he doesn’t get any help from them, let alone ask for any. Completely on his own with no prospect of freedom through good behavior in prison, Kreese hatches a new plan.

As a Sensei, Kreese is respected and feared among the inmates for his strength. But after he wants to settle a dispute between 2 prisoners, he is insidiously stabbed. It appears the founder of Cobra Kai is dead. Very anticlimactic and certainly disappointing to many, the season 5 finale reveals an explosive twist. Kreese is alive and only staged his murder to break out of prison.

Kreese’s death

Kreese’s storyline was one of the strongest and most emotional in season 5 of “Cobra Kai.” Devastated and abandoned by Allen, Kreese must confront his guilt and past choices.

Confronted with ghosts from his past, Kreese’s process of development and regret is understandable and incredibly well staged. Be it through his therapy sessions or dealing with other inmates. Kreese is ambivalent, not great at all, but not completely lost and tainted like Silver either.

The inner struggle with his demons is visually memorable throughout the season. His death would be a bitter but fitting finale to his storyline and personal “Cobra Kai” story. Although he draws consequences for his own actions, suffers and regrets, the violent “path of the fist” finally catches up with him. Finally.

That doesn’t happen, however, and Kreese wriggles out again. He will remain with us as a sophisticated villain who is beyond salvation. This may seem unsatisfying, but it appears he still has a role to play in Netflix’s plans for Cobra Kai.

The decision not to let him die and basically revive him and to let him play a role in season 6 raises some questions. What else can we expect from Cobra Kai founder John Kreese in the future? A final redemption? Or is it total defeat?

What does Kreese’s return mean for the future of Cobra Kai?

Just when we thought Kreese had changed, we’re taught otherwise. In the Cobra Kai “No Mercy” style, he does not turn away from the violence and instead of doing penance, he decides to take revenge.

Where Kreese’s journey will take him in Season 6 isn’t entirely clear just yet, but he’ll certainly clean up with his treacherous old friend Silver first. Since he was defeated by Daniel LaRusso, Kreese is able to fill the power vacuum and revive Cobra Kai. Will he finally get rid of Silver beforehand or will he voluntarily leave the stage?

In addition, Cobra Kai Season 5 also introduced the Sakai Taikai International Karate Tournament, to which both dojos, Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai were admitted. Could Kreese be out to win the prestigious competition with Cobra Kai?

For that he would have to build his school from scratch since after Silver’s defeat all the students joined Daniel and Johnny. The sadistic Sensei Kim Da-Eun, with whom he has a history, could help Kreese. With her, he could build a new Cobra Kai and serve as the main antagonist of season 6.