12 things we learn about John Kreese in Cobra Kai season 3

3. Kreese’s mom died by suicide

This is something else Johnny and Kreese have in common: both lost their moms at young ages. Kreese’s mom suffered from mental illness.

I’m not going to lie. After learning about Kreese’s mom, I experienced the same feeling I had for Johnny in season 1 when I learned where his life had led him: sympathy.

4. Kreese learned to be cruel

Kreese grew up enduring a lot of hard knocks. His mom’s death, being bullied and Vietnam…what he learned from all of it was that life isn’t fair and in order to survive, you have to learn to be cruel.

It’s in Vietnam in particular where he rejects the last of his humanity.

5. Kreese was chivalrous

Later in episode 2, Kreese is taking out the trash at the diner. We now know the football player who bullied Kreese is named David. Kreese sees him hassling Betsy and then slap her.

Kreese isn’t going to stand by and watch that happen. He doesn’t hesitate to take on David and his friend to defend Betsy.

6. Kreese has been fighting his whole life

At one point during the fight with Betsy’s boyfriend, it seems David is going to win. After tossing Kreese against the garbage cans, David asks, “You scared, freak?”

Kreese ends up fighting back and overcoming David to win the fight. Right before he knocks him out cold, Kreese says, “I’ve been fighting my whole life. I sure as hell ain’t scared of you.”