Raphidae's Ramblings and Raves

There was literally no reason for Kreese to bring up Daniel LaRusso unless he knew that Terry would care. Why would Terry care. 👀

Kreese knows how to get people to come to him. How to dangle something that they want in front of them that only he can seemingly give.

When no other tactic worked on bringing Terry back into the fold, Kreese brought out the big guns and dropped Daniel's name.

Not to take away at all from the love and friendship that Terry felt towards John. But it became nostalgia and obligation, ultimately ruining their bond.

Little side note-- the fact that we watched Kreese make others do what he says in order to get what they want for three seasons made the prison scene in 5x07 even more satisfying:

AND the first person to play the uno reverse card and use this tactic against Kreese was Daniel. Terry's student. You gotta love it.

There's always been a little Cobra Kai in you...

I mean, we could speak at length about the parallels between Kreese and Terry and their star students Johnny and Daniel. The narrative mirrors and foils. But it's precisely their respective relationships with their students that is more compelling.

Anyway. I'm going to quickly list examples of Daniel's hold on Terry and then focus on the meat of the issue.

Terry falls apart and goes ALL IN on everything Cobra Kai only AFTER Daniel rejects his apology.

Terry gives Daniel multiple warnings to not interfere but never tries to gets rid of him like Johnny or Kreese after no warnings at all.

Terry dated a woman who looked a lot like Daniel with similar values.

Terry treats Kenny near identically to Daniel as a student but in the sincere way he wishes he had with Daniel.

Terry loses his cool when Daniel wants to surrender and walk out of his life.

Terry tells Chozen he considers Daniel his only rival. As in Equal.

I'm sure there's plenty I'm forgetting but you can find posts in the silverusso tag about all these topics and more. x.x

Now, let's get to one of the most important and defining scenes for Terry's arc. And again, it's a direct result of Kreese's manipulation:

Kreese, knowing what makes Terry tick and how to get him further on his side, comments that Daniel really knows how to hold onto a grudge. As if he doesn't. Anyway, it's twisting the knife into Terry again when he's clearly already low.

You don't think Kreese noticed how hurt Terry was at the rejection?

He notices everything. He learned in Vietnam from his Captain how to use love against someone as a perceived weakness. Many thoughts on that.

Anyway

The way in which Kreese says, "So... what now?" Tells me that he told Terry this was going to happen. You also have to remember their conversation leading up to the garden scene:

Terry was damn near close to defending Mr. Miyagi and Daniel over Kreese's own personal grudge. To the point where Terry was rolling his eyes and sighing over his friend being overdramatic about what happened in the past.

He was tired of hearing about it.

I'm sure Daniel told Terry the truth about that Halloween night. And look who Terry seems to side with...

Kreese wanted violent retribution and Terry was the one that talked him down. It was Terry's idea to apologize to Daniel and we'll just allll get along. Easy peasy. Surely, Daniel would forgive him.

But, Daniel proved Kreese right in Terry's eyes. As I'm sure Kreese hoped would happen. Couldn't have worked out better. I bet on the car ride over to Miyagi-Do, Kreese was complaining how this was a waste of time and LaRusso isn't the sweet kid you remember etc.

From that day forward, Terry is determined to prove Daniel wrong. About him, about Cobra Kai, about everything. Terry is going to make Cobra Kai work and help kids and he'll be the best sensei ever and Daniel will be sorry!

You'll be sorry you weren't a part of it!

I firmly believe that Daniel is Terry's true weakness and he didn't even realize it. But Kreese did.

And if Daniel had seen it, then he could've had Terry eating out of the palm of his hand.

The one movie quote they haven't used in the show yet is, "For person with no forgiveness in heart, living even worse punishment than death."

I'm hoping they'll use this with Daniel realizing he can help heal himself, and Terry, by forgiving him. Of course, Terry will have to do something more to redeem himself. I'm just saying.

And then maybe Terry can see that Daniel was his weakness all along, but there's still time to make him a strength.

One could argue that he already felt that way while he was being arrested. The way he was looking at Daniel... That awe. Daniel LaRusso got the best of him, again, all because he couldn't let him go.

Here's to hoping that Season 6 ends our suffering lmao.

I mean, who else has ever given Terry Silver goosebumps?

Plus it’s been shown that Kreese is a sense of obligation - a debt he owes and if there’s one thing Terry hates is owing people (probably a feeling he’s not used to now - people owe him) and look at how happy he is once he gets rid of Kreese - the albatross around his neck - not his weakness.

War creates a bond that no one can understand unless they’re lived it - as does the bond created when someone saves your life.

BUT

To have a debt like that on your head - that you owe someone your life. Knowing you will never be able pay that debt back - to be free of it. That you will always feel indebted to that person for everything you have - your very life …. I cannot imagine what that feels like nor do I want to know.

Must feel like your neck is always in the guillotine esp when the relationship with that person whom you owe that debt to isn’t the greatest.

AND

You can tell Kreese won’t let him forget and holds it over him.

And you can tell how sick of it Terry is - “ahhh there it is”

He expects and knows Kreese will bring it up - he also knows Kreese is a “user.”

When they first meet again - it’s quite biting - “you want me to cut you a cheque?!”

Kreese is also clearly stuck in the past, unable to live in the moment.

Trying to pull rank for example - like Terry is still under him, which is clearly not the case. He has no control of Terry - just thought he did, and I think Terry is fed up with Kreese’s bullshit and holding onto that part of their past and the weight it carries.

It’s why he rejects his offer the first time - he doesn’t live in the past like Kreese does. He at least tried to get help to move on and live his life - he wants no part of it.

So I think the weakness in terms of their relationship is the fact that he feels he owes Kreese his life and all the entails.

I do not think Kreese himself, the actual person, is his weakness, not for a second.

I equate cutting Kreese out of his life to cutting out a cancer and how it makes you feel - disease free.

Look at his reaction:

Not only does Terry have no issue at all with doing it, but look how happy he is after he does it - he’s free.

Kreese is the one who’s shocked - all because he thought he was in control and he does not know Terry as well as he thought.

Also, do you think Terry wouldn’t have found Kreese if he really wanted to. He let Kreese leave his life without giving a damn or a second thought for three decades!!!

And it’s not Kreese that draws him in (he’s not even happy to see him).

Why do you think Kreese mentions Daniel?! - to hook him back in because he wasn’t biting on what Kreese was selling.

“Danny boy?!” That reaction!

The only reason he even started down the path of batshit insanity was Daniel and his rejected apology.

“What’s next?”

“We wipe the floor with the arrogant prick.”

Kreese smiles - he knew that would be the outcome. At least he knows that much about Terry.

Also, end note - to be clear - Daniel is not responsible for Terry’s actions - as you are under no obligation to accept an apology - sincere or not - nor are you responsible for another grown man’s actions.

And yes - such fondness for his Danny Boy - the way his voice is - “it’s good to see you.”

The fact that Terry WARNS his boy - you’re playing with fire.

Kind of like - don’t make me hurt you.

Kreese never got the warning - just framed for attempted murder 😂

No one gets warning or gets to treat Terry the way Daniel does - the grace Terry gives him AND the good humour he had for his interactions with Daniel.

They may have had Terry saying Kreese was his weakness but:

Actions speak louder than words.

We only see Kreese and Terry when Kreese needs something from him - hence his whole “you want a cheque John.” This is what Kreese is - he uses people for his own gain - tries to manipulate them.

And we are always reminded that Terry feels obligated to Kreese due to him saving his life.

Their whole foundation is built on a sense of duty (Terry) and a person who knows they can exploit that sense of duty (Kreese).

EXCEPT

This time it didn’t work like that - we see that right from the beginning.

Kreese basically saying - hey I need your help.

And Terry’s reaction speaks volumes.

Flat out - plainly says no, aka too damn bad.

Doesn’t even care at that point about his supposed debt to Kreese - not even enough to say yes to a simple enough request or even take more than a few seconds to think it over or hear him out.

And it continues to not work like that - no matter how many times Kreese brings up the past.

Also, it should be pointed out that this is not the first time the debt Terry feels he owes Kreese does not win out. Terry takes up the family business - leaving Kreese alone with cobra Kai. His sense of duty is stronger than that which he feels toward as Kreese there as well.

Let’s compare too - Terry’s reintroduction to the two men.

Doesn’t see or hear from Kreese for 3 plus decades - and doesn’t even answer his call, and instant change in mood - he is not even a bit happy to hear from Kreese - at all.

But his reaction to Daniel’s name - his whole face changes - he smiles and how he says with genuine emotion in his voice - “Danny- Boy?”

Not Danny, not Daniel, not Larusso - no - the nickname that only he called him and it springs right to mind. RIGHT TO MIND. AND this would be the nickname he gave while coked up so the impression Daniel left a mark despite the drug.

Also he knew Daniel’s commercials - HE KNEW HIS COMMERCIALS).

In the beginning Kreese has to crash his party to even get a second of Terry’s time.

Meanwhile Terry seeks out Daniel.

“It’s good to see you.”

And once again his facial features and voice change when he sees Daniel. They literally soften - for lack of a better word.

There’s a tenderness when he looks and speaks to Daniel.

The fact that he is genuinely upset that Daniel rejects him - and TIG kind of confirms this when he mentions that Terry’s apology was sincere - which quickly turns to anger.

“Arrogant prick” or is Terry just pissed because, well, now he has to admit that Daniel does not look at their time as fondly as Terry does.

We know Terry had fun - this is evident all throughout KK3 and there are times when, it can be argued that he forgets himself and appears to just be having fun teaching him - when he breaks the boards for example and Terry gets caught up in his excitement.

He may say in the beginning that his behaviour was crazy (or whatever it is he says) and when he apologizes he says his behaviour was terrible BUT we know he had fun or liked Daniel.

Look how quickly his tune changes in the mini mart - you were powerful and free and Terry flat out scoffing when Daniel says you tortured me - “you liked it.”

Well maybe Terry is projecting - maybe he needs Daniel to admit he liked it as much as Terry did.

Also the smile and chuckle to himself when Daniel walks past him (also Terry doesn’t move - makes Daniel squeeze past him - delicious).

The delighted look on his face as he looks down - he’s having fun playing with Danny-boy again even after all these years.

But it’s obvious he has a lot more fun being around Daniel than when he is around Kreese. His whole demeanour, tone, and attitude change.

Seems Daniel brings out a side of him no one else gets to see during the season.

And Daniel gets warnings, after warnings - there’s a certain tenderness to Terry here, in doing this - the illusion of granting mercy - so very not cobra like.

Kreese never got that - he got “stabbed in the back”, thrown in jail because Terry framed him all the while Terry is celebrating by dancing and drinking wine - not an ounce of remorse.

But his Danny boy - no, he gets warnings, smiles, chuckles, and soft tones.

Why does Daniel get those things?! Why doesn’t he just get rid of him - he easily could.

You can decide that for yourself.

Also - Side note:

The eye fucking at the AVT!!!!

So much eye fucking

The other key too - to seeing Daniel as Terry’s weakness is the ANGER — they both bring it out in each other - but with Kreese he just seems tired but Danny-boy, oh Danny makes him mad. Danny-boy makes him finally lose his temper - Danny makes the real Terry emerge from under the fake facade Terry had been plastering on.

Let’s look at the infamous apartment scene.

When Terry unleashes that anger.

Thing is, in the context of the scene and a Terry’s reaction - (what Daniel is to Terry) it makes sense.

Terry, is angry at Daniel - truly angry:

Not pissed (like the sauna scene) but truly angry - and he loses his temper in a way we haven’t seen (and different than beating Sting Ray as that was a means to an end to frame Kreese).

And why?!

Because he was meddling? A thorn in Terry’s side?

No. He likes Danny’s attitude after all (CANON).

He was angry because Daniel was willing to give up - walk away - from this thing - this game they were playing - which equates to willing to walk away from Terry.

And that is unacceptable.

Dare I say Terry fears it - Daniel walking Away - losing him again - the fact that Danny is just able to walk away from Terry which means Terry doesn’t mean to Danny what Danny means to Terry.

But the fact that Danny can walk away and is willing to walk away?!

That is what pisses Terry off - even the dialogue - you think you can walk away?! We are way past waving the white flag (aka I won’t give you mercy).

Remember he gave Daniel the option to walk away (although that was on Terry’s terms and he knows Daniel and his stubbornness and knew he wouldn’t so it was a fake gesture really).

He could have killed Daniel but he stops himself - he wants Daniel alive to see the plan to fruition (to continue to play with him - his favourite plaything).

So he walks away. If he stays he may break his toy past repair and he doesn’t want that.

This is why the whole narrative they tried to present in season four (and then never brought up again BTW) of Kreese being his weakness makes no sense.

No, who has time or wants to think of Kreese when he has Daniel to occupy him so completely?!

It is not even Kreese that got him back to CK - he had no problem saying no to Kreese.

It’s Daniel.

Daniel’s name elicits the first sign of life from Terry.

And come on, thirty plus years and the first thing that pops to his mind is the nickname he gave Daniel?

Sidenote - Kreese is a master manipulator - knows what to say and what buttons to press to get the reaction he wants - to get what he wants - so why do you think he even brought up Daniel?!!

It’s Daniel’s rejection that starts the slippery slope into the old Terry - that’s what makes him shed this persona he created - like old skin - and go back to the old Terry and then an even worse version of that Terry.

It’s all traces back to Daniel. Everything.

It’s his marriage he seems intent on breaking - his kid’s he wants wrapped up in CK - it’s Daniel he wants to break - just like before.

Think too about TIG’s comments which kind of reinforces this idea.

The apology was sincere - it’s the rejection / he wants to be loved / he wants to be Daniel’s friend.

It’s Daniel that makes him lose his temper - his control - it is Daniel that causes his downfall - and if that ain’t the definition of a weakness, will I don’t what is.

Going back to the apartment scene:

Terry lost it when Daniel wanted to quit - he lost it because Danny didn’t want to play (with him) anymore.

Remember - TIG said Terry wants to be friends. This was just Daniel rejecting him AGAIN!

But this time it’s worse because before, even though he rejected the apology - he was still meeting Terry in the middle.

He was giving Terry attitude, sass and Terry was loving it (cough cough mini mart and country club scenes cough cough).

By even engaging with Terry, he was still, in a way, bending to Terry’s will because he was playing Terry’s game after all - willingly walking into the wide open traps he was setting - and, most importantly, Terry was having fun.

Daniel throwing in the towel is - him walking away - no longer playing the game - no longer engaging with Terry - no longer bending to his will - no longer being in Terry’s periphery - and Terry hears that threat LOUD AND CLEAR.

Cue the ANGER - the FURY at Daniel. That Daniel could (and would) take that away again. So, he tells Daniel they’re way past that - they’re way past Terry letting Daniel leave him (again).

That’s why it’s unacceptable. Not after Terry had been more alive than he has in years. It was Daniel, after all, that had Terry slipping off the mask - shedding the skin that was this fake Terry he had been presenting to people all those years.

Sure, it's all terrible, but he takes it down a little and goes easier on Daniel on the scale of pain and permanent damage.

That apartment fight was... something. Terry was exploding with anger. And Daniel didn't say one word. Many thots.

I equate cutting Kreese out of his life to cutting out a cancer and how it makes you feel - disease free.

Not only does Terry have no issue at all with doing it, but look how happy he is after he does it - he’s free.

Lookit this happy free baby. Maestro to his greatest concierto.

He's not angry. He feels nothing. He doesn't even visit Kreese in prison to taunt him or anything!

Completely out of his mind and heart and it bothers him none.

But when Daniel tries to cut himself out of Terry's life? 👀👀👀

Unthinkable! Offensive! Flames! Flames on the side of my face!

I'm sure many fans thought that speech would've been something Terry told Kreese through a prison window.

And he even declares to Daniel that his ultimate taunt will be taking over the world with Cobra Kai.

Every where you look, you'll see me, Danny boy.

But no. It was for Daniel because Terry wanted Daniel to know that he'll never get away and this could've been us but you playin'. We could've had it alllll 🎶

It’s his marriage he seems intent on breaking - his kid’s he wants wrapped up in CK - it’s Daniel he wants to break - just like before.

It's everything Terry is lacking. He never got married. He never had kids. A ready made family and the missing piece wants to walk away? Stubbornly resist?

"There's always been a little Cobra Kai in you."

"There's the Cobra Kai student I remember!"

Think about Daniel often, do you? He sees Daniel as should being on his side. I think it's always bothered Terry that Daniel chose Miyagi-Do over him.

The other key too - to seeing Daniel as Terry’s weakness is the ANGER — they both bring it out in each other - but with Kreese he just seems tired but Danny-boy, oh Danny makes him mad. Danny-boy makes him finally lose his temper - Danny makes the real Terry emerge from under the fake facade Terry had been plastering on.

Daniel's seen Terry's true face. Might be the only one who freely does. That carefully crafted mask of sophistication and culture cracks all because of Daniel. It's so true!

It’s Daniel that makes him lose his temper - his control - it is Daniel that causes his downfall - and if that ain’t the definition of a weakness, will I don’t what is.

And Terry Silver controls everything. He's a control freak. From himself and everything(and everyone) in his life to the smallest details.

Daniel does that to him.

Amazing. Daniel is his greatest weakness. The only person to bring Terry Silver down twice! Both times because Daniel just wanted to walk away!

And Terry still loves him! What does that say about Terry? I agree that he hasn't felt this alive in ages. I guess it's like you said, Daniel is the most fun but infuriating when he doesn't play the game right.

You kno what

Maybe Terry called Kreese his greatest weakness because he wanted to get rid of him, since Cobra Kai doctrine dictates they shed their weakness, but could never fathom getting rid of Daniel, thus refusing to label him as a weakness. He's just a rival, sure, yea... 🤣

Was this a little cracky? Maybe.

Am I also 99.9% serious? Yeth.

I just have to console myself as a certain Silver would about what life would have been like if stubborn Danny would've just joined Cobra Kai.