Cobra Kai’s Thomas Ian Griffith on Silver’s Return, Rivalry With Kreese: ‘He’s Not a Redeemable Character in Terry’s Eyes’
Daniel and Chozen were in for some major shocks in Cobra Kai’s latest batch of episodes, but they definitely didn’t expect this.
After following the man who abducted Daniel to a spa, they couldn’t believe their eyes amid the steamy air and roar of hot tub jets: Terry Silver was back. “What would life be without a few surprises?” Silver asked the speechless group of senseis, which also included Kim Da-Eun and John Kreese. And with that, the stakes of the Sekai Taikai were raised even higher, as Miyagi-Do (and Cobra Kai) scrambled to get ahead of Silver’s next moves.
More from TVLine
Below, Thomas Ian Griffith talks to TVLine about Silver’s iconic The Karate Kid Part III role, his character’s newfound rivalry with Kreese, and the legacy he and Cobra Kai will soon leave behind.
TVLINE | The first time we see Terry Silver this season, he’s reintroduced in a hot tub, just like that iconic scene from The Karate Kid Part III. How did it feel to recreate that little bit of franchise history?
THOMAS IAN GRIFFITH | It was a big selling point to get me to come back and finish this way, knowing how much that will mean to the fans and how much fun that could be.
TVLINE | You’ve been portraying this character since 1989. What’s been the most rewarding aspect of returning as Silver in this final season?
It was an honor to be a part of this global phenomenon. Karate Kid III was my first film. It got me to Hollywood, it got me working as an actor, and then to see where this has gone, to be able to come back all these years later and take this archetypal character and do something a little different, show another side to it. It’s just been a joy for me and a real honor. You owe it all to the fans. You have the OG fans that love the films. You have the fans that are new to the world and got to know the background of these characters through flashbacks. Just the love for even a character like Terry Silver was just extraordinary. It’s a blast to be a part of.
TVLINE | In flashbacks, we see Silver’s first meeting with Sensei Wolf, who he eventually employs to help get his revenge. What does Silver see in him?
I think a philosophy in this fighting style MMA, an aggressiveness and a desperation that Terry can relate to. This guy is in trouble. This guy has a need that I can fulfill off the mat. So therefore, I can sort of control him in this very manipulative way and that’s such a great trade off. To take this guy under his wing and say, “I can be part of his team and I can be the owner of this team and I will get what I want from this guy.” They hired an incredible actor and martial artist [Mortal Kombat’s Lewis Tan], so it really paid off.
TVLINE | Silver has quite a few enemies, especially since his falling out with Kreese. What’s going on between those two in Part 2?
It’s the ultimate betrayal. I see it from Terry Silver’s point of view because I’m playing him, but when you have such a deep history with someone, someone you’ve been loyal to, someone you’ve given so much to that you’ve brought back from being the homeless guy on the streets, it cuts deep. The difference is Terry has stayed committed to what they believe, whereas Kreese has turned and has this weakness that Terry is aware of and that’s just not acceptable. I think as you get older, it’s like, “Was it all worth it? What you committed your life to, was that worth it?” And if not, that’s such a desperate thing. So I think Terry’s trying to hold on to that and going, “You are just the enemy now. You mean nothing.” Then when Kreese brings a knife to a kid’s karate fight, he’s not a redeemable character in Terry’s eyes.
TVLINE | How would you describe Silver’s thoughts on Daniel and Miyagi-Do?
In a way, he has to respect what Daniel has done and how far he has come. So that makes Daniel a worthy adversary. I think in Silver’s eyes, that’s someone worth giving time and energy to, and literally trying to win over. There’s a commonality with us in this martial arts, crazy make-believe world and I think that that creates a really interesting relationship between those two characters.
TVLINE | You’ve still got a mean roundhouse kick, which we see in action in Part 2. What do you do to stay in shape and train for these extremely physical scenes?
I get asked that a lot but it’s just what I do. I’ve been doing it my whole life and there’s something about being an actor, being a writer, being a martial artist. It’s not like, “I’m going to get up and maybe I’ll work out.” You get up, you put in the time and in a way, that’s become part of my life, not only for the physicality, but just for the mental healing that we all need. It’s that release. It’s been part of my life forever. It’s fun to be able to say, “Sure, I’m still doing it at my age,” but I never stopped. So, I don’t look at it that way, you know what I mean? Like, “Oh, are you training for a TV show?” It’s [more] like, “This is who I am.” This was a great vehicle to showcase that.
TVLINE | Silver is a master manipulator. Can you speak a bit about his ability to seduce people to the dark side?
I think in those manipulative moments, there’s truth. What I’m offering Kenny, I believe it. Terry Silver believes it. There’s something good to be on the side of a winner. Getting that history of Miyagi and presenting it to Daniel, as a character who has had so many ups and downs emotionally and where he’s at, I can relate to [Daniel]. “The bulwark of my philosophy is crumbling, but look at what you come from.” So there’s truth in that. There’s an intelligence to Terry. He’s not just this thug-like character. I think why those scenes work and those moments work and people relate to them is because there’s such commitment from Silver in doing it. It’s not just mustache twirling. It goes beyond that. It goes by something I really believe in or this character really believes in… I gotta stop saying “I” believe in it because people will think I’m crazy! [Laughs]
TVLINE | If this season is the last time you ever revisit Silver, what has this role and this franchise meant to you over the years, and how do you think you’ll look back on it down the road?
You know, Nick, it was the first film I was ever a part of when I came out from New York. The Karate Kid III was my first movie role and to have it come back, it’s been such an honor to be part of this phenom, something so globally successful that’s reached so many people. For those fans, for the OG fans that still are cheering on Terry Silver or for the fans that came in and are learning about this world through flashbacks, i’s just been so great to say, “Wow, we’ve moved people. We’ve given them a little bit of joy, a little bit of release in this make-believe, absurd karate world.” If there’s something they can relate to and enjoy, what a great gig! So it’s just been an honor to be a part of it.
TVLINE | With all of the karate drama soon behind you, what’s next for you, Thomas?
I write a show called Virgin River on Netflix, so we’re in the middle of Season 7. Season 6 drops Dec. 19th. It’s just the opposite of Terry. I’m writing love stories and you go, “That’s the guy that plays Terry Silver!” But I think that’s the fun about being an artist. You just want to keep mixing things up and expressing different sides of yourself.
Best of TVLine
Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
