Terry Silver
Terry Silver is a male film character who features in The Karate Kid.
Contents |
Biography
Karate Kid
Terry Silver
During the Vietnam War, Silver, Kreese, and "Ponytail" were under the command of Captain Turner. In 1968, while on a mission in North Vietnam, static from Silver's radio caused their team to be discovered and captured by NVA forces. While in captivity, Ponytail was executed much to Silver's horror, and the rest of their team was imprisoned and forced to fight for the North Vietnamese’s amusement above a pit of venomous snakes. After one of Turner's soldiers threw another into the pit, he warned Silver that the pit wasn't the worst part. When an NVA soldier told Silver to fight Turner, a frightened Silver hesitated out of terror. Kreese volunteered, saving Silver's life, as Captain Turner would have killed the inexperienced and traumatized Silver. During the fight, the NVA camp was attacked by the US Air Force, though Kreese killed Turner despite the impending rescue. He then freed his remaining allies from the cage they were trapped in. Silver embraced Kresse and swore to be there for him for his entire life, no matter what he needed.
Upon returning to the valley, Silver and Kreese were greeted by hippie's who called them murderers. The protests against the Vietnam war had turned them from heroes to outcasts. They wanted to teach the world respect and discipline through the ways of karate. Silver, coming from a financially wealthy background, agreed to help Kreese open Cobra Kai Dojo. They got matching cobra tattoos to commemorate the moment. However, Silver's father wanted him to go into the family business and threatened to cut him out of the inheritance if he disobeyed. This crushed Kreese, who didn't think he could open the dojo without Silver there to help as a co-sensei. Silver promised to be there for him someday, but that day couldn't be now. He would still be a major financial backer. By 1979, Cobra Kai had a respectable number of students. In 1980, he and Kreese traveled to Japan to train under Kim Sun-Yung. Silver bought Cobra Kai for John, who insisted on still paying him rent. He didn't want to compete in the world karate tournament yet, as he wanted to focus on his students. Particularly, a new student who Kreese called his star student. His inheritance of the family company led him to be the CEO of the nuclear waste disposal company DynaTox Industries. At some point, he came to be heavily addicted to cocaine which caused some of his erratic behaviour.
By 1985, Silver was the head of a toxic waste disposal company called Dynatox Industries, which illegally dumped waste in the environment. By this time, the future of Cobra Kai was in doubt when all of Kreese's students left after he attacked his star student Johnny Lawrence in retaliation for losing to Daniel LaRusso. When Kreese tells Silver he wants to shut down Cobra Kai, Silver vows to help him get revenge on Daniel and Mr. Miyagi and make Cobra Kai successful again. Silver sends Kreese to Tahiti to rest while he hires karate fighter Mike Barnes to defeat Daniel in the next All Valley Under-18 Karate Championships. Silver broke into Mr. Miyagi's house to gather information on him and Daniel. He's nearly discovered but he hides inside the fireplace. He introduces himself to Daniel and Mr. Miyagi on a later day, claiming that he was sent to help Kreese regain balance. He lies to them saying that Kreese died of a cardiac arrest brought on by a broken heart and sadness at losing all of his karate students. He also blames Kreese's erratic behavior as a result of his years fighting in the Vietnam War. Silver 'apologized' to both Daniel and Mr. Miyagi on behalf of Kreese. When Silver finds out that Daniel will not fight at the tournament this year, he orders Barnes and his two thugs, Snake and Dennis, to harass Daniel and coerce him into entering the tournament.
After Daniel signs up for the tournament, he turned to Silver for guidance after Mr. Miyagi refuses to train him. Silver, acting on a request from Kreese to make Daniel's knuckles bleed, forces Daniel to destroy a wooden dummy. After Daniel finally destroys the dummy and injures himself at the same time, Silver tells him that he is ready for the tournament. When Daniel and his friend Jessica Andrews are at a nightclub, Silver bribes a man into provoking a fight with Daniel, who punches the man and breaks his nose. Realizing that he has become a different man and has alienated himself from his friends, Daniel informs Silver that he will not fight at the tournament. Silver reveals his true agenda and alliance with Barnes. As Daniel attempts to flee the dojo, Kreese reveals himself and Barnes attacks him. Mr. Miyagi then appears at the dojo to rescue Daniel, engaging Barnes, Kreese, and Silver in one-on-one fights. Though he puts up the strongest fight of the three, Silver is defeated by Miyagi, but continues to taunt him afterwards. At the tournament, the committee organizers allow Silver to give a speech before the final match. Silver tells the audience that he will open a chain of Cobra Kai dojos where young people can learn "honesty, compassion, and fair play". When the fight begins, Silver and Kreese instruct Barnes to inflict pain on Daniel, by winning a point and subsequently losing a point to keep the score tied, leading to a sudden death round. The plan appears to work until Daniel unleashes his kata on Barnes during the sudden death round, defeating Barnes. After the final point is scored, Silver walks away in disgust as Cobra Kai shirts were discarded around him.
Cobra Kai
Thirty years after the 1985 tournament, Johnny Lawrence reopened Cobra Kai Dojo and sought to compete in the upcoming All Valley Karate Tournament. He learned the dojo held a lifetime ban after the unethical actions of Terry Silver, John Kreese, and Mike Barnes in the 1985 tournament. Johnny was not familiar with either Silver or Barnes at the time. Daniel LaRusso explained to his students the enticing side of Cobra Kai, and how he had once fallen into the dojos way of life. He explained the ramifications of the dojo both on his personality and actions. He described a volatile man who tortured him during his time in Cobra Kai. Terry, now going by Terrance, lives in a gated community beachfront mansion where he plays piano and drinks expensive beverages. He answers a call from John Kreese, but promptly hangs up the phone. Kreese unexpectedly visits Silver at his house, only to find that he's not the same man from thirty years ago. He's dating a younger woman who is releasing an app, with Terrance hosting the event at his house. His friends are a variety of people, all of whom irritate Kreese. Terrance tries to rush Kreese out of the party, but his former friend has other plans. As he tries to worm his way in, he learns that Terrance hasn't told his friends about the glory days of Cobra Kai. One of Terrance's friends even calls Cobra Kai "adorable". Kreese attempts to recruit Terrance back to the valley to help him teach Cobra Kai. He explains the complex stakes and how Daniel LaRusso has teamed up with Johnny Lawrence. Despite a surprisingly insightful speech from Kreese, Terrance declines Kreese's offer and asks him to leave. Despite dismissing his friend, Terrance begins to remember his glory days with Kreese and his martial arts. He attempts to bury his growing nostalgia, but when his chef lights his crème brûlée torch, Terrance's PTSD is triggered. Remembering the pact he made with Kreese in Vietnam, he returns to the valley where he faces off with Kreese, still trying to cling to the man he's become. However, Silver ultimately agrees to return as Kreese's co-sensei, as long as they do things differently this time to ensure their victory.
Before class, Kreese introduces the students to Terry and talks about how they founded Cobra Kai. Terry explains that the training will now be more intense because of the upcoming All-Valley Tournament. He also reminds Kreese about why they founded Cobra Kai and how they can be better and not let history repeat itself. Silver and Kreese arrive at Miyagi-Do where they visit Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence. Before Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang begin training, Terry falsely apologizes to Daniel for his behavior in 1985. However, Daniel sees through his deception and did not forgive Silver and demands he exit his property. Silver and Kreese agree to cease fire until the All-Valley. They pretend they are innocent in the dojo feud and leave, though once out of earshot, Silver coolly states that he will destroy the arrogant Daniel. Terry and Kreese return to Cobra Kai to tell their students of the no-fighting restrictions. Silver instructs a frustrated group to store their anger and use it when necessary. He also instructs them to use discipline and how they need to receive it. SIlver understands how badly they want to defeat Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang, but they need to focus on their training first. After class, Kreese and Silver have dinner where Kreese tells him how happy he is that Silver joined him, but his students are confused about Silver's methods. Kreese adds that Cobra Kai never backs down from fighting regardless of having a tournament. Silver counters that Kreese has already delivered a crippling blow with Robby Keene. Robby is the son of Kreese's former student, Johnny Lawrence and adding him solidified everyone's role in his drama. Silver adds that he's wanted his second chance in gaining victory, and Kreese agrees that's what he wants as well.
Overview
Personality and attributes
He has little morality and will do anything to win. He is cunning, manipulative, and excellent at manipulating everyone's view of himself. He is calculating in his actions, choosing to play a mental manipulation as opposed to a physical assault. He knows how to sweet talk his way into earning people's trust. His actions can be seen as far worse than the other villains Daniel has encountered, as they make their actions up front, while Terry hides his true nature until it is time for him to reveal himself. Terry's actions after military service and in his revenge scheme, prove he's a psychopath, and one of the most manipulative and corrupt villain's to cross Daniel's path. However, his desire to repay Kreese for all the time he saved him in Vietnam, is one positive thing about him at the time.
He became heavily addicted to cocaine in the 80s and 90s, which caused some of his erratic behavior.
Powers and abilities
He and Kreese came to encounter Kim Sun-Yung a martial arts master who had pioneered a ruthless fighting style known as the Way of the Fist.
Thirty years later, Silver is still a brutal striker with his kicks. He crippled the well-trained Johnny Lawrence in a matter of minutes, though this occurred during a sneak attack where Johnny wasn't given the opportunity to fight fair. However, fighting dirty has become Silver's method, with his speed and precision adding to the unwavering strength he wields. His strength alone and relentless blows put Raymond, a grown man, into a coma. He easily beats Daniel in their first fight. When fighting Chozen, their brief hand-to-hand combat proves to even, which leads to them fighting with weapons, during which, Chozen gains the upper hand at first but Terry soon takes control and injures Chozen. Just as he is about to finish off Chozen, the latter regains the upper hand and knocks him down. However, he wins in the end by slicing Chozen with his sword when he is distracted by a scream, showing how he exploits weaknesses and fights dirty.
At one point, he came to be the owner of DynaTox Industries that was a toxic waste facility.
Notes
- Terry Silver was created by Robert Mark Kamen where he was portrayed by actor Thomas Ian Griffith in the setting of the Karate Kid universe.
Appearances
- The Karate Kid II:
- Cobra Kai:
External Links
This article is a stub. You can help Multiversal Omnipedia by expanding it.
