There are several antagonists in Netflix’s “Cobra Kai,” and each one is related to the others in ways that shape their respective paths. The antagonist of “The Karate Kid,” Johnny Lawrence, is shaped by his father figure and sensei, John Kreese, who comes out as a wholly unredeemable and malevolent figure.
But every villain has a backstory, and Kreese’s prior events are revealed over the course of multiple seasons, making him a particularly complex character. The man who shaped him into the person who treats his foes with “no mercy” is one of the most significant revelations about his life story. George Turner was this individual. BEWARE OF SPOILERS
John Kreese’s Mentor, Captain Turner, Affected His Philosophy Throughout His Life
Cobra Kai’s motto is “no mercy,” although the school wasn’t the first to employ it. Captain George Turner’s speech to his soldiers, in which he advises them to fight the Viet Cong, their adversaries, with the belief that either they or the enemy will perish, is where this term first appeared. When John Kreese starts Cobra Kai, he instills in his students the motto that he tells them to have: “No hesitation, no second thoughts, and no mercy.”
Aside from his affiliation with Kreese, not much is known about Turner, yet it is plenty to demonstrate that he was a cruel and heartless individual. He chose Kreese to join his special forces unit during the Vietnam War, which is when their paths first crossed in 1968.
Turner taught his soldiers to be the greatest because their missions would lead them into the enemy’s land. He is the one who teaches Terry Silver and Kreese the Tang Soo Do kind of karate.
Kreese still has some heart and soul, which keeps him from being a ruthless soldier, even though Turner calls for no mercy. He refuses to follow his captain’s orders to detonate the bomb that is essential to the operation but would also kill one of the guys in their unit because he cares for the soldiers who are with him.
Since the Viet Cong capture them all, this choice proves to be fatal for the battalion. Turner holds Kreese responsible for everything and never stops accusing him of being the reason additional guys in their unit have to suffer and lose their lives because he was unable to obey orders.
Kreese’s life is altered by serving under Captain Turner. He learns lessons from it that he will carry with him throughout his life. However, Kreese is unable to move past Turner’s portrayal of his evil and vile side at the same time.
The captain asked the guys in his squad to put all of their feelings aside and concentrate solely on the task at hand. He was willing to do everything for this, which is why he gave Kreese a crucial secret.
Kreese Kills His Own Mentor After Suffering a Personal Loss
Betsy was Kreese’s girlfriend back home. He intended to live out the rest of his days with her and vowed to come back to her after the war was over. But the girl dies in a vehicle accident after a tragic turn of events.
Through the mail, Kreese is informed of her passing, but he never receives it. Turner catches it, and while Kreese would be devastated emotionally, he chooses to hide the news from the soldier because it could jeopardize the operation.
The Viet Cong later make the troops fight to the death over a snake pit in the detention camp. Terry Silver has been selected to battle the captain. Kreese chooses to replace Silver since he knows he would lose easily, but he is unaware that the captain has a secret.
He informs Kreese of Betsy’s passing just before their battle, which naturally breaks the man’s heart. Taking advantage of this, Turner rushes his opponent, but Kreese eventually wins the battle.
He is with Turner at one point. The situation is totally turned upside down when Kreese stabs the captain in the leg just before he falls from the bridge into the pit of snakes. Kreese now stands on the bridge, watching Turner clinging to his life.
The Viet Congs are defeated along with the arrival of US forces, meaning that the conflict is now pointless. Kreese could save Turner’s life by helping him up. Rather, he does nothing except watch as the victim dies after falling into the snake pit. He really adopts the “no mercy” mindset at this point, and we are all aware of how that works out for him.
Captain Turner, John Kreese’s brutal tutor, had a significant influence on his journey in Cobra Kai. What is the effect of this dynamic on his philosophy? Explore the nuanced past of these figures and their pivotal events. Go to our website right now to learn more about Cobra Kai!
