Warning: This post contains SPOILERS for Cobra Kai season 5!Terry Silver's future is now in doubt, but Thomas Ian Griffith's character should not return in Cobra Kai season 6. The former Karate Kid III villain returned in a big way in season 4, but he became the primary antagonist in season 5. Now in full control of Cobra Kai, Terry Silver's plan to extend its dominance beyond the Valley became clear. He proved to be the perfect threat to unite Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso together, along with their talented students, for the collective mission of taking him and Cobra Kai down once and for all.

Cobra Kai season 5's ending leaves Terry Silver's future with the show up in the air, though. The Miyagi-do and Eagle Fang students outed Cobra Kai's sensei for paying off the referee at the All-Valley Tournament, leading to a final showdown between Terry and Daniel. It was during this rematch that Daniel finally got the best of Terry. With his cheating scandal now out in the open, along with some other crimes like forcing Stingray into a false testimony against John Kreese, Cobra Kai season 5 last shows Terry Silver going to prison. As a result, his potential involvement in a sixth season is up in the air.

Related: Explaining Terry Silver's Cobra Kai Expansion & Master Plan

It is quite clear that Terry Silver's fate is not yet decided, as season 5 mentions his lawyers will be busy trying to get him cleared of these recent charges. But with Silver's immense wealth, a return in Cobra Kai season 6 is not completely off the table. It should be, though. Terry Silver proved to be a wonderful villain in season 5 and properly tested Daniel, Johnny, Chozen, and others throughout. His master plan of getting Cobra Kai into the Sekai Taikai even worked. However, the season 5 finale also includes Daniel and Johnny rejoicing that they have finally beaten the abusive and power-hungry sensei. Bringing Terry Silver back in Cobra Kai season 6 would be a mistake, as it would undo that victory and risk repeating the isolation storyline John Kreese just had. It is best to leave Silver behind bars or in court hearings for the events of the sixth season.

Terry Silver's Cobra Kai Exit Works For Everyone's Story (Except Kreese)

Cobra kai season 5 Kreese Terry silver

The only issue with Terry Silver not returning in Cobra Kai season 6 is what it means for Kreese. The former Cobra Kai sensei and fellow soldier was betrayed by Silver in Cobra Kai season 4, resulting in his arrest. The entirety of Kreese's storyline in Cobra Kai season 5 was about bringing Silver down and enacting his revenge on his former comrade. Kreese's prison escape sets him up to be a major character in season 6, which should include him being cleared of the charges that put him behind bars, to begin with. However, it would undoubtedly be somewhat disappointing if Kreese and Silver do not get the chance to come face-to-face once again. Silver missing from Cobra Kai season 6 would make that unavoidable.

Outside a reunion with John Kreese, Cobra Kai season 6 not bringing Terry Silver back should work. Daniel and Johnny can focus their attention on taking down Kreese after defeating Silver. Sensei Kim Da-Eun can take over Cobra Kai and reinvent the dojo in her image. Meanwhile, Tory Nichols is now free of Silver's lies and deception and was instrumental in taking him down. His absence would even create room for Kenny and others to evolve without his manipulation. So, even though some might want to see a lot more of him, Terry Silver exiting Cobra Kai season 6 makes sense.