...I think perhaps the scene at the All-Valley semi-finals was not only for Kreese to make a message/cautionary tale for anyone who thinks about crossing Cobra Kai by using Daniel as an example (though certainly his main point) but also his way of setting a precedent for Bobby too. Okay, let me elaborate first because I don't know how much of a reach this is but hear me out.
So remember this scene, where Daniel and Mister Miyagi visit the Cobra Kai dojo after the Halloween incident: they're watching two of Kreese's students spar: Brown vs Robertson
Bobby tags Robertson and earns his point, but to Kreese, that's not enough because he then says this to Bobby:
Kreese then delves into his "no mercy" tirade to the class, which... is pretty on-par for Kreese (also look at Robertson in the scene again, he's only a green belt!! π the poor kid... of course Kreese of all people would set a green belt up against a black belt)
But also, this isn't the first time Kreese's lectured the class about this, and we know that because right before this scene, on Halloween, Johnny word-for-word quotes him and uses it as a way to justify beating up an already knocked-down and nearly-unconscious Daniel, much to Bobby's dismay and disgust. Also make note that all of Bobby's friends gave him push-back for sticking up for Daniel and "showing mercy towards the enemy" (either directly by verbally dismissing him, or indirectly by siding with Johnny).
"No mercy" is a lesson that's taught and repeated ad nauseam to the students, it's literally in the Cobra Kai motto. And here in the above scene at the dojo, Kreese uses it as a direct comment towards how he felt about Bobby's hesitation to deliver a finishing hit to Robertson, who was already on the ground (and Bobby already earned his point! he's already won the round, so anything after is unnecessary, excessive). But Kreese insists it, that to be a Cobra, you have to strike hard, strike first, and with no mercy. To have Bobby as one of his top students (was runner-up in the 1983 All-Valley tournament) and also be merciful, it's not a good look in Kreese's eyes. It's wholly incompatible and shouldn't exist.
Then we go to the All-Valley tournament. Kreese tells Bobby to put Daniel "out of commission" and Bobby objects (rightfully so, he's assured in his skills and knows he can beat Daniel; following his sensei's orders is only going to get him disqualifiedβ completely killing his chances of winning the All-Valley). But Kreese just narrows his eyes at him and spits the dispute back. "I don't want him beaten." It's not enough. This is a parallel to that earlier scene at the dojo with Bobby against Robertson.
Bobby's not Kreese's star student in the way Johnny is because Bobby doesn't go the full length like his friends do when it comes to Kreese's "no mercy" rule. To Kreese, whatever happens to Bobby is just collateral; he's just a means to an end. Who cares if Bobby gets disqualified in the competition (and banned from all future competitions) if he's not really representing Cobra Kai the way Kreese wants him to? In fact, it's better for Bobby to be disqualified and barred from competing than to show any mercy to the enemy. It's cruel, it's unnecessary, it's so very Kreese. You can see how competitive and passionate Bobby is towards karate and competing in tournaments. For him and his friends, it's the thing they love doing, it's their thing, and now he's being directed to just throw all of that away...
Kreese's cruelty knows no bounds, and we see just as much again after the tournament, when he thinks the reasonable reaction to Johnny getting second place was to 1) kick him off the team, and then 2) choke him out.
Ugh. Someone get rid of this Kreese guy, I'm so sick of him.
titsay
germansingergirl
gummygunk
dededos
theartofmadeline
jacobvanloon
blakekathryn
