How Kreese’s Return In Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 2 Impacts Daniel & Johnny’s Rocky Partnership Teased By Stars: “A Lot To Unpack”
Cobra Kai stars William Zabka and Ralph Macchio tease how their characters’ tumultuous relationship will be pushed to breaking point by the return of nemesis John Kreese. Cobra Kai season 6, part 1 saw the return of the villainous sensei. He broke out of prison and took control of Cobra Kai, taking them to the Sekai Taikai in direct competition with Johnny and Daniel’s Miyagi-Do dojo. Having Johnny’s old mentor back in the mix sets the scene for an explosive Cobra Kai season 6 part 2.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Macchio and Zabka reveal how the return of Kreese could cause more friction between the two frenemies, and that it is a chance for Miyagi-Do to defeat him, and, by extension, Cobra Kai, once and for all. Macchio touches on the duo falling out in episode 5 of season 6, but that they are holding it together for the kids, while Zabka likens Johnny and Daniel to two roommates in a hotel. Check out their comments below:
Ralph Macchio: I mean, they’ve set some big hurdles for them. There’s some certainly growth with Johnny and Daniel, where they have this falling out at the end of 605, but they’re holding it together for the kids. That is sort of an informed step forward for them, putting themselves aside for the greater good.
William Zabka: They’re still roommates in a hotel, that says a lot for how far these characters have come. [Chuckles]
Ralph Macchio: Yeah [chuckles], but they have to unpack a lot to figure out. Kreese and Tory is a gut punch to everyone. There’s a lot to unpack and figure out. Part 2 has got high highs, and low lows, and certainly for Daniel, he winds up spiraling, chasing answers to who Miyagi might have been.
The deeper he looks, the more trouble and in actual peril he becomes, and takes his eye off the prize. And then, we have some epic martial arts, next level stuff, that our young cast does in the Sekai Taikai, and the competition level is greater than ever. Truly an epic conclusion in Part Two that should knock your socks off. So I’m excited.
William Zabka: Yeah, and Kreese is the big bad. It’s a chance for Miyagi-do to defeat Kreese once and for all on the world stage. Personally, for Johnny to best Kreese, finally, all his chips are on the kids, and it means everything to him, because he doesn’t want the kids to experience what he experienced after his defeat in ’84, and go down that rabbit hole.
What These Comments Mean For The Characters’ Cobra Kai Arcs
Both Johnny and Daniel have evolved considerably since the start of Cobra Kai, and the two men who were once sworn enemies now share something of a tentative friendship, but it’s always only ever hanging by a thread. The actors’ comments suggest their personal struggles will push each character to their breaking point, and Johnny will likely see Kreese’s influence on Tory as similar to the grip he had on his own life as a young man. These revelations could wind up causing more fractures in the Miyagi-Do team, which is already plagued by in-fighting and reeling from Tory’s betrayal.
Daniel’s growing obsession with Mr. Miyagi’s past is bound to lead to some more uncomfortable truths that he may not be ready to face. Meanwhile, Johnny will need to shake the memory of his tournament defeat by Daniel at the 1984 All Valley Championships, which soured his relationship with Kreese. This way, he can find a way to defeat his former mentor once and for all in Cobra Kai season 6 part 2.
Our Take On How Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 2 Could End
Season 6 will release in three parts, and I believe part 2 could be the show’s Empire Strikes Back moment in which the villains triumph. The Miyagi-Do team could find themselves in a dark place by the end of episode 10. The rifts in the dojo, particularly with Demetri and Hawk falling out, Kenny and Anthony disagreeing, and Tory defecting, will only take a couple of mishaps to throw everything into chaos, and leave the group facing an uncertain future in Cobra Kai season 6 part 3.
