[SPOILER]'s death is what pushes Tory over the edge in Cobra Kai season 6 part 1

We've finally returned to the world of Cobra Kai with the sixth and final season, which just began on Netflix today. Though fans won't be able to binge through all 15 episodes of the season, we can all rest assured that many more episodes are on the way. The streamer has split the final season up into not two but three parts, with the first five episodes dropping on July 18. We won't get to see part 2 until November, but part 1 leaves us with a lot to think about to hold us over until then.

WARNING: Major spoilers for Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 are ahead.

Not only do Johnny and Daniel merge their dojos and choose who will compete at the Sekai Taikai, an upcoming international karate tournament, but Kreese makes his grand return to train up a dojo of his own. Ahead of the tournament, which will take place in Barcelona, Spain, Daniel makes a disappointing discovery about Mr. Miyagi's past, while the kids decide where they want to apply for college. Like past seasons, Cobra Kai season 6 has been a big one for Tory, who isn't focused on college like her peers. She's all in on karate while also continuing to take care of her ill mother. She still has big dreams of success in karate, hoping to win the Sekai Taikai alongside her boyfriend Robby.

But Tory's plans with Miyagi-Do come crashing down once she faces a heartbreaking loss. Though she's pleasantly surprised to learn that her mom's health has been improving, unfortunately, this doesn't last long. In episode 5, Tory comes home and finds her mom unconscious on the floor. At the hospital, she learns that she has sadly died. It goes without saying that this is a devastating moment for Tory, who has been taking care of her mother for some time. Being treated with dialysis, Tory's mom was bedridden and unable to care for their family, so Tory had to step in.

How does Tory's mom die in Cobra Kai?

As Tory questions, her mom was supposedly doing better, so how did she die so suddenly? It's explained to her in episode 5 that her mom suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism. This is when someone's lungs get blocked from the blood flow, usually due to a blood clot or something else in the way. A pulmonary embolism is not always fatal, but unfortunately, in this case, it was. Understandably, Tory isolates herself as she struggles with the fact that her mom has passed, skipping school and ignoring Robby's texts and calls.

When Tory shows up at the dojo, everyone can tell something's not right. She then has to fight Sam for the role of female captain for the Sekai Taikai, and it's not great. She's way more aggressive than usual and is clearly upset over something, though Sam continues the fight. Amanda then receives a phone call from the hospital informing her of Tory's mom's passing — likely because Tory doesn't have anyone else for support — and she and Daniel call off the fight. Tory then tells everyone that her mom has died before leaving.

Tory doesn't feel like she belongs in Miyagi-Do

There's a pivotal moment in Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 which sees Tory and Kreese reunite. She's still angry with him for shutting her out last season, though he explains to her that he was only trying to protect her while he was planning his prison escape. She seems to buy this, and he lures her back into his trap by telling her that while Miyagi-Do might invite her in, she'll never truly be welcome there. In her moment of weakness, feeling like she has no one after her mom's death, this is seemingly enough for her to switch sides.

Episode 5 ends with the Miyagi-Do crew arriving at the Sekai Taikai only to discover Kreese and Kim Da-Eun have a dojo they're competing with, too. And to shock them even more, Tory has joined their side and will be going up against Miyagi-Do again. Though it's a surprising reveal, once you really think about it, it's a move that makes sense. Tory doesn't feel like she has a place in this world, and even the support of Robby isn't enough. She's hurting and doesn't know where to channel that pain other than karate. Though Kreese isn't exactly a standup guy, he is there for her, and she relates to his karate philosophy.

Tory is probably my favorite character of Cobra Kai, and that has to do with Peyton List's performance and the way she's been written. She is much more complex than some of the other characters and I always find myself rooting for her. She's been dealt a difficult card in life and she deserves good things. Maybe in the remainder of season 6, she'll get that — whether or not she's with Miyagi-Do.

You can stream Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 right now on Netflix. The show returns with new episodes on Nov. 15, 2024.