"There's No Reason To Go Back": Ralph Macchio Details Daniel's Headspace Following Shocking Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 2 Death

Cobra Kai star Ralph Macchio has revealed Daniel's headspace going into the final five episodes of Netflix's hit martial arts comedy-drama. Cobrai Kai season 6 part 2 ended in climactic tragedy, with the shocking death of Kwon bringing the Sekai Taikai brawl to an end, and this leaves the characters (and the tournament) in an uncertain place. Daniel was the first by Kwon's side following the young man's stabbing, and the incident has a profound impact on the seasoned sensei for the show's concluding episodes.

During an interview with Screen Rant, Macchio gives a glimpse into Daniel's headspace going into Cobra Kai season 6 part 3. Macchio reveals that Daniel is deeply affected by events, and no longer has any reason to want to be around karate or have it in his life. He feels that his well-meaning intention has contributed to the tragedy, and is just looking to move forward in the safest way possible. Check out Macchio's comments below:

Screen Rant: The last we saw in Part 2, major death with Kwon. How did that death affect how he's going to just go through life moving forward?
Macchio: Yeah, at that point it was about shedding karate from his life. I mean, at that moment, this has brought in recent time nothing but difficulty. Kids fighting, arguing, churning up the rivalry of yesteryear and then it ending in this tragic way. It's really the guys who created the show had to take this. You got to hit rock bottom to bounce back up. So, the end of 610 is rock bottom and a complete unraveling and loss of control of what the intentions were.
The intention was to bring Miyagi Dojo to the world stage and spread that legacy in a positive way. And this did just the opposite. So for LaRusso at that point, it's about, he says in this episode, just focus on safe and happy going forward. There's no reason to go back. But just when they thought he was out, they pull him back in.

What Macchio's Comments Mean For Daniel's Cobra Kai Season 6 Journey

Daniel Will Experience A Crisis Of Confidence Before Understanding Karate Is A Core Part Of Who He Is

Daniel crouching over Kwon's body in Cobra Kai

As Macchio's comments show, Daniel has found himself very shaken by Kwon's death, and this has caused him to want to shed karate from his life completely. But, this feels like the classic hero journey, where he must reach his nadir to truly find himself (in this case, without having Mr. Miyagi to lean back on), and there is the hope that Daniel will understand that karate is a key part of life for so many people in his life, and that it can be a force for positivity in the world.

Daniel will need to find himself, and shed the specter of Mr. Miyagi to lead the kids to glory and help them come of age through the medium of karate.

Daniel has always viewed himself as the moral compass of the franchise, and though that hasn't necessarily always been the case, at his core, he is a fundamentally principled person. It will be difficult for him to reconcile with what has happened, and get on board with the decision to continue with the tournament, even with The Sekai Taikai being moved to The Valley.

Our Verdict On Daniel's Cobra Kai Conclusion

Daniel Will Have To Process His Fears & Trust Himself Without Miyagi Anchoring Him

Daniel will not be in a good place heading into the Cobra Kai's final five episodes, but there are other battles to be fought, both literally and metaphorically. Both Daniel and Johnny bring something unique as senseis but have always worked best with that combative energy crackling beneath the surface, which has helped fuel the team of kids to the success they've had so far. Both will be needed, and Daniel will need to find himself and shed the specter of Mr. Miyagi to lead the kids to glory and help them come of age through the medium of karate.