The final season of Cobra Kai has officially landed, and it’s a bittersweet moment for fans and cast alike. Jacob Bertrand, who has brought the fan-favorite character Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz to life, sat down with Pop Culture Unplugged to reflect on the show’s epic conclusion, Hawk’s journey, and what it means to say goodbye to the dojo.
Processing the End of Cobra Kai
For Jacob, talking about the end of Cobra Kai still feels surreal.
“It doesn't quite feel like it's happened yet,” he admitted. “We still have the premiere and everything, but it is weird being at the last press junket, sitting next to Gianni [DeCenzo], Xolo [Maridueña], Peyton [List], Mary [Mouser], and Tanner [Buchanan] for the last time. It’s slowly starting to sink in that it’s actually over.”
Unlike fans who had to wait months between each release, Jacob and the cast experienced the suspense in real-time.
“When we were reading the scripts, we didn’t know at first that it would be split into three parts,” he revealed. “We thought maybe all ten episodes would drop first, and then there’d be a big cliffhanger leading into the final five. But no, we had to wait too—kind of like the fans. We’d get a batch of episodes, and then we’d be left waiting before getting another one. It was tough because the writing makes you want to churn through it all at once.”
Hawk’s Evolution: From Underdog to Warrior
No character has gone through as drastic a transformation as Hawk. From bullied kid to ruthless fighter, and then back to someone who finds his moral compass, Hawk’s journey has been one of the most compelling in the series.
“I think it’s funny—Hawk has had a redemption arc almost every season,” Jacob laughed. “He’d go through something, grow from it, then sort of stumble backward and have to find his way again. But I’m really happy with where he ends up. Dimitri was really the last relationship that needed time to heal. He’d patched things up with almost everyone else, but he and Dimitri still had a lot to work through. They were holding onto things, and taking that time apart as enemies helped them realize they’re better together.”
For Cobra Kai fans, Hawk’s rivalry-turned-friendship with Dimitri (Gianni DeCenzo) has been one of the show’s highlights.
“They’re heading to college together. They’re the Binary Brothers forever. I love that,” Jacob said with a grin.
Why Wasn’t Hawk in the Final Tournament?
One of the biggest surprises of the final season was Hawk’s absence from the Sekai Taikai’s final fights.
“I never thought Hawk was going to win the Sekai Taikai, so I wasn’t bummed about that,” Jacob admitted. “But I was confused about why he wasn’t even in the final rounds. Like, why wasn’t he in the top-tier fights alongside Miguel, Robby, Sam, and Tori? That part didn’t make much sense to me. Hawk was a tournament champion before—why wouldn’t he be up there? But hey, it did add to the stakes when it looked like he might not even qualify.”
Hawk’s Best Fights: A Highlight Reel
Jacob has had some of the most intense fights in Cobra Kai, and he’s well aware of it.
“I’m biased, but I think Hawk has had some of the best fights,” he said. “The All Valley Tournament in Season 4 is one of my favorites, and obviously, the school fight in Season 2 is legendary. The LaRusso house fight in Season 3 was just so sick, and I love that one-take shot at the frat party fight in Season 6.”
Speaking of that fight, Mary Mouser mentioned in her interview that Jacob might have sustained an injury during filming.
“She told you to ask about my pulled kidney, huh?” Jacob laughed. “Yeah, I don’t know exactly what happened, but I got hit in the side, and it felt like my kidney just shut down for a second. It was one of those moments where I was like, ‘Oh my God, I think I’m dying.’”
Could a Hawk and Dimitri Spinoff Happen?
With Cobra Kai ending, fans are already speculating about possible spinoffs or a movie continuation. Would Jacob be down for a Binary Brothers college spinoff?
“Oh, 100%,” he said. “If Gianni’s in it, I’m in. He’s one of the funniest, weirdest people I know, and I love working with him. If the writers want to do something, I’m totally game.”
Hawk’s Love Life: A Happy Ending?
Hawk’s relationship with Moon (Hannah Kepple) has been a rollercoaster, but Jacob was satisfied with their ending.
“Hawk has always been head over heels for Moon, so I think it’s nice that they end up together,” he said. “He’s been through a lot, and he deserves that happy ending.”
Working with William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence)
Throughout the series, Hawk had a complicated but meaningful relationship with Johnny Lawrence. Jacob pointed to one scene in particular as a standout moment.
“I loved when Johnny came to the school to apologize for Miguel getting hurt,” he recalled. “That moment where he looks at Hawk and tells him, ‘Kreese doesn’t give a shit about you. I’m the one who made you who you are,’ that really stuck with me. It’s a moment that I think really affected Hawk and reminded him where his loyalty should be.”
Did Kreese and Silver Really Die?
The shocking explosion on the boat that seemingly took out Kreese and Silver left fans divided. Jacob has his own take on it.
“I think Silver is dead,” he said. “No way is Kreese dead, though. That guy is like a cockroach. He survives everything.”
What Jacob Took From Set
Like many cast members, Jacob couldn’t leave without taking some mementos.
“Oh yeah, I took something,” he said with a smirk. “But I can’t say what it is for, like, 12 years. You’ll just have to wait.”
Was He Happy With the Ending?
Fans will be debating the finale for years, but Jacob personally loved how things wrapped up.
“I think everyone who won needed to win,” he said. “Tory won, Miguel won, Johnny got his moment, and Hawk got to stay with his best friend. And it leaves the door open for cool stuff in the future. If this is really the end, I’m satisfied. But if we ever get to do something again, I’d be down.”
A Message to Cobra Kai Fans
As the interview wrapped up, Jacob had one final message for the fans.
“Thank you for sticking with us for six freaking seasons. That doesn’t happen anymore, and I’m so grateful we got to tell this story,” he said. “I’m happy people stuck by Hawk, even when he was a total asshole in Seasons 2 and 3. And I’m just excited to see how everyone reacts to the final episodes. Let’s break some records!”
As Cobra Kai comes to an end, Hawk remains one of the most iconic and unpredictable characters in the series. Whether it’s through a future spinoff or just his lasting legacy, Jacob Bertrand’s journey as Hawk will be remembered as one of the standout performances in the Karate Kid universe.
All episodes of Cobra Kai Season 6 are now streaming on Netflix. Don’t miss the final fight!