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Why Tory Makes That Shocking Decision In Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 1 Ending Explained By Co-Showrunner
The article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Cobra Kai season 6 part 1.
Summary
Cobra Kaishowrunner Josh Heald has explained a major character death that happened in season 6 part 1, including the overall importance it has on the show. Throughout the martial arts show, it was hinted that Tory’s mother, Grace Nichols, was suffering an illness that would ultimately kill her at some point down the road. Then, during the events ofCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1, the character tragically died. It was a painful development for her daughter’s character arc and will undoubtedly have massive implications for the upcoming season 6, part 2.
Speaking withScreen Rant,Heald explained why Tory’s mother died inCobra Kaiseason 6 part 1, ultimately revealing the importance it will have on the young martial artist’s story. The showrunner also explained why the timing was right, as she was preparing for the high-stakes Sekai Taikai tournament, hinting at its impact on her time there. With Tory left to balance her personal loss with her obligations as a martial artist, her mother’s death will continue to play an important role going forward. Check out what Heald had to say below:
There are some “Always” and there are some “Sometimes” when it comes to the writers room. After season 1, it became a living organism, we had season 1 completely in our heads when we entered the writers room for season 1, and it was more just telling the troops what we’re doing, who’s going where, we take the castle, and we do it. Once Kreese enters the story, we started asking ourselves questions like, ‘Okay, we knew he was coming back, where’s he living?’ That began a spirited discussion, the idea of Tory coming in and creating this antagonist for Sam, left a lot of new questions that we had to consider and some answers we had long leads for, and some became branches of a tree that was still growing.
But we always knew that [her] mom would go, we didn’t know exactly when, but we knew we wanted it to be at a crucial moment for her character. It wasn’t just something that’s happening and we’re cutting to that and seeing a more traditional melodrama about a kid going through something. We wanted it to have the Cobra Kai gasoline and the sparks that come with that. This was the worst possible time that this could have happened, which made it the best possible time to do it. And it it just becomes the alchemy of putting together the recipe in the writers room about when and why and how, and the pieces of the puzzle have to fit together.
What Killed Tory’s Mom?
Grace Nichols' Disease Was Never Outright Revealed.
Much of Grace Nichol’s story occurs off-screen, spending years bedridden and trying to survive in an increasingly desperate situation. She regularly participated in dialysis treatments, which is typical for patients with kidney issues.A pulmonary embolism served as the final blowthat took Tory’s mom from her, and that is fairly typical for kidney issues. With all those signs adding up,Tory’s mother likely died due to complications from her kidney disease. The embolism was an unfortunate effect of the disease that had been slowly killing her for years.
Furthermore, given the depiction, her mother would likely have been more involved in Tory’s life if she was well enough to attend her tournaments.
Grace was generally a character who was depicted entirely off-screen. Because she spent so many years bedridden,she was only thoroughly characterized when Tory opened up about her family. One of Tory’s stories revealed that Grace used to sneak food home for Tory and her brother, and she was eventually fired after being caught. It’s these moments that explain why Tory values her mother so much given the sacrifices and hardships, and ultimately, it showcases why she leans into karate. Furthermore, given the depiction, her mother would likely have been more involved in Tory’s life if she was well enough to attend her tournaments.
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ByCobra Kaiseason 5’s ending, Grace’s situation grew worse. She was moved to the hospital, where she was likely ventilated. She did recover and returned home, having felt well enough to move freely. Tragically, however, it was only a fleeting sense of wellness, as Tory eventually returned home to find that her mother had collapsed. The pulmonary embolism, which the doctors had not identified, caused her passing.Tory will now have to fight to receive custody of her brother. She has already served in a parental role for several years, but her mother’s death will force a legal response.
Tory’s Mom’s Death Will Remain Impactful In Cobra Kai Season 6, Part 2
Tory Just Lost Her Most Important Driving Force
However, the journey she’ll have to go through is personal, meaning only she will be able to choose her fate, and what she truly wants to do following her mother’s death.
Tory’s mom was always sick throughout the show, forcing Tory to become a caregiver for her family. She was left to balance her obligations to her family with her desire to follow her karate dreams. Following her mother’s death, though,Tory decides to leave Miyagi-Dofor the new version of Cobra Kai. This wasn’t the only reason she decided to switch teams, but the fact both events happened in the final episode means she will have no choice but to latch onto her new team. It will no doubt impact her performance in Sekai Taikai as well.
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Going into season 6 part 2,it seems like Tory is going to be at a lossfor what to do, even with the tournament just around the corner. With Kreese now acting as her coach, she will likely begin to learn his style of fighting, but she could very well change her perspective of the world and Miyagi-Do with Kreese influencing her. This could negatively impact her going into the contest, as her grief and rage might make her less focused. If this happens, she could learn the hard way that joining Cobra Kai wasn’t the right decision.
Even so, with two additional batches of episodes left,Tory could still end up back on Johnny and Daniel’s sideby the end of the series. SinceCobra Kai’s casthas a multitude of heroes who can convince her she’s making a mistake, she is unlikely to remain on Kreese’s team for the rest of the show. However, the journey she’ll have to go through is personal, meaning only she will be able to choose her fate, and what she truly wants to do following her mother’s death. The loss of her mother will undoubtedly change Tory forever.
Cobra Kaiseason 6 part 2 arrives on Netflix on July 09, 2025.
Cobra Kai
Cast
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
