In Cobra Kai, character arcs are a crucial part of what makes the series compelling. Tory Nichols and Robby Keene, two characters who are initially introduced as antagonists, undergo similar but distinct transformations. Tory's tragedy in Season 6 mirrors Robby's dramatic arc in Season 3, showcasing the show's tendency to explore cycles of pain, betrayal, and the search for belonging. Through these parallels, "Cobra Kai" illustrates how different characters can respond similarly to trauma and the feeling of abandonment, leading them down a darker path.
1. Kreese's Manipulative Visits
In Season 3, John Kreese visits Robby in juvenile detention, exploiting his vulnerability and sense of betrayal. Robby feels abandoned by Daniel LaRusso, who called the police on him after the school fight, and by his father, Johnny Lawrence, who failed to be there for him. Kreese seizes on this emotional turmoil, offering Robby a place in Cobra Kai and a sense of belonging that he craves. Similarly, in Season 6, Kreese makes a calculated move when he visits Tory in the parking lot. Like Robby, Tory is at a low point-reeling from her mother's death and feeling alienated from her peers at Miyagi-Do. Kreese understands that Tory, like Robby before her, is looking for someone who will support and guide her, especially after her loss. His approach to both characters is the same: offer them a home when they feel like they have nowhere else to go.
2. Trauma as a Catalyst
Both Robby and Tory are driven by deep-seated trauma, which plays a significant role in their decisions to join Cobra Kai. For Robby, the trauma stems from the betrayal he feels from the two father figures in his life-Daniel and Johnny. Daniel's decision to call the police after Robby's involvement in the fight with Miguel leaves Robby feeling utterly betrayed. In his eyes, Daniel was supposed to guide and protect him, not hand him over to the authorities. Similarly, Johnny's inconsistent presence exacerbates Robby's sense of abandonment. This emotional turmoil makes Robby susceptible to Kreese's manipulations, leading him to join Cobra Kai as a way to reclaim control and protect himself.
Tory's trauma in Season 6 is different but equally profound. Her mother's sudden death leaves her grappling with overwhelming grief and responsibility. Already feeling isolated, especially after the fallout from her association with Cobra Kai, Tory's loss further destabilizes her. Her time at Miyagi-Do doesn't provide the support she needs, intensifying her feelings of loneliness and vulnerability. Just as Kreese preys on Robby's emotional wounds, he also recognizes Tory's fragile state and uses it to pull her back into Cobra Kai.
3. Lack of Support from Mentors
A key similarity between Robby and Tory's stories is their sense of being let down by those they trusted. For Robby, Daniel's call to the police and Johnny's absence are critical points of betrayal. Robby had come to see Daniel as a father figure, and when Daniel chose the law over him, Robby felt abandoned. Johnny's repeated failures to prioritize his son only deepened Robby's pain, making him feel like he had no one to rely on. This lack of support pushes Robby toward Kreese, who offers him the mentorship and belonging he desperately seeks.
Tory's experience with Miyagi-Do in Season 6 echoes Robby's sense of abandonment. Though she tries to integrate herself into Miyagi-Do, Tory constantly feels out of place. Her aggressive personality and past actions make it difficult for her to connect with her new peers, leaving her feeling isolated. After her mother's death, the lack of emotional support from Miyagi-Do compounds her grief, making her more susceptible to Kreese's influence. Like Robby, Tory turns to Cobra Kai, not just out of loyalty to Kreese, but because it's the only place where she feels she belongs.
4. Joining Cobra Kai as a Means of Survival
The culmination of both arcs sees Robby and Tory turning to Cobra Kai as a means of survival. For Robby, Cobra Kai represents a way to channel his anger and regain control of his life. Similarly, Tory sees Cobra Kai as her only refuge, a place where her aggression and pain are not only accepted but valued. In both cases, Kreese becomes a surrogate father figure, providing the guidance and support they crave, albeit for his own manipulative purposes. Robby and Tory's decisions to join Cobra Kai underscore how trauma and a lack of support can drive people to make desperate choices, repeating a cycle of violence and emotional turmoil.
Ultimately, Tory's tragedy in Season 6 mirrors Robby's arc in Season 3, highlighting how the absence of genuine support and the presence of manipulative figures like Kreese can lead even the most resilient individuals down a dark path.
