What comes next for John Kreese is still Cobra Kai season 5’s greatest mystery. Season 4’s ending seemingly kickstarted a dark new chapter for Martin Kove’s Karate Kid character. Right after watching his students win the All Valley Karate Tournament, Kreese was stabbed in the back by his closest associate, Terry Silver.
Kreese being arrested for allegedly assaulting Stingray was the culmination of several decisions made by the character in season 4. Since the beginning, Kreese had been determined to get Silver committed to helping him beat Daniel and Johnny at the tournament. Unfortunately, his efforts had unfortunate consequences. Not only did he cause Terry Silver to unleash his dark side again, but he also went too far in exploiting the “debt” Silver owes him. Having apparently given up on living a better life, Silver has gone back to his Karate Kid Part III roots. After framing Kreese for beating up Stingray, the villain has taken over the dojo. Now, he’s in the process of expanding the Cobra Kai brand on his own.
The Cobra Kai season 5 teaser trailer provided a glimpse of what Silver will be up to in the Valley, but curiously avoided Kreese. With season 4’s ending and the trailer, the series has dropped some big hints pertaining to what the future holds for most of its main characters, including Daniel, Miguel, Robby, Johnny, and even Chozen. But in the case of Kreese, there are no details on where he fits into Cobra Kai season 5’s story. The season 4 finale positioned him to go to jail, but how long he’ll be there or what will happen when he inevitably gets out remains to be seen.
What Will Kreese’s Story In Cobra Kai Season 5 Be?
What’s unique about Kreese’s place in Cobra Kai season 5 is how isolated he feels from all the other characters. He was enemies with Daniel from the start, he’s alienated Johnny, and now his relationship with Silver has been severed. In other words, neither side in the forthcoming dojo war is likely to want him. While Kreese’s recent actions suggest that redemption for his character is on the table, the prospects of Daniel and Johnny easily accepting him as an ally against Terry Silver are much slimmer. Convincing Daniel, Johnny, or Chozen to forces with him is theoretically possible, but reaching that point could be a long and difficult road.
Another option for the path Kreese could take in Cobra Kai season 5 is the opening of a new karate dojo. If he were to do that, there’s a chance he could get Tory on his side, especially since she may be the one key character who’s still in his corner. But that too could require Kreese getting over some big hurdles. After all, Cobra Kai has given no indication of how long it will leave Kreese in a legal bind. He could be out of jail as quickly as one episode or proving his innocence could be the focus of a season-long arc.