How Cobra Kai season 4 ended set in motion a dark future for Stingray. After being absent for all of season 3, Paul Walter Hauser’s character finally returned, but only to become a pawn of Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith). Stingray’s big decision is what enabled Silver to usurp Kreese (Martin Kove) and take over the Cobra Kai dojo.
Stingray’s story took a turn in season 4 when he tried (and failed) to get back on the path he was on before the high school brawl upended everything. Devastated by Kreese’s refusal to let him rejoin, Stingray allowed his desperation to be a part of Cobra Kai to get the best of him. He finally got what he wanted, albeit at a great cost. His false claims against Kreese to the police paved the way for Silver to achieve his master plan and solidify his place as Cobra Kai’s main villain. Assuming that Silver keeps his word, Stingray will be a member of the Cobra Kai dojo going forward.
Stingray’s actions brought him back into the fold for Cobra Kai season 5, but also laid the groundwork for a much darker story for the character in the episodes to come. Becoming a willing participant in Silver’s scheme opened the door for him to be involved in more of the villain’s nefarious activities – whether he realizes it or not. After the Cobra Kai season 4 finale, Silver knows that he can control Stingray, who may be in too deep to back out now. Considering how far he was willing to go to get back into Cobra Kai, he may feel that he has no choice but to do whatever else Silver asks him to do in the future. It’s unlikely that his lying to the police will be the last time Stingray carries out a task for Silver.
In Stingray, Terry Silver has found the perfect minion to do his dirty work. Using Stingray to advance his goals will be easier than falling back on his students since there’s a limit on what he would want them to know about his true intentions. Some may object if they knew about him framing their sensei or cheating to win the All Valley Karate Tournament. To avoid losing their loyalty, he can always send Stingray when he needs someone bullied or beaten. Because of his situation, it will be difficult for him to refuse or switch sides. Silver will be sure to make Stingray understand that they will both be brought down if the truth comes out.
By aligning with Silver, Stingray created a challenging and miserable journey for himself that won’t lead to the satisfaction he was looking for. Instead, joining Terry Silver’s Cobra Kai will bring about more trials and tests of his conscience. The more he does for Silver’s cause the harder it will be for him to earn his redemption in future Cobra Kai seasons.