The big rescue that occurred in the Fear the Walking Dead season 6 finale could lead to the CRM organization being the main villains of season 7. They had a mysterious presence in a small number of Fear the Walking Dead episodes, but have yet to become a major factor.

The CRM have appeared in all three existing Walking Dead shows in some capacity, with their biggest mark on the franchise being their role in Rick Grimes’ exit. After a few teases in Fear the Walking Dead season 5, the CRM returned in Walking Dead: World Beyond, with one of its high-ranking members, Julia Ormond’s Elizabeth Kublek, being the main antagonist. Outside of World Beyond, it wasn’t clear how much the other two Walking Dead shows would do with the CRM (if anything), especially since there’s already a plan for the future. Since the CRM are the ones who have Rick (Andrew Lincoln) now, they’re sure to be integral to the trilogy of movies that AMC has in the pipeline for his character.

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However, Fear the Walking Dead may be setting them up to be villains for their main characters as well. Earlier in the season, Althea (Maggie Grace) decided to go looking for Isabelle (Sydney Lemmon), and has been missing from the show for several episodes. It wasn’t until the Fear the Walking Dead season 6, episode 16, titled “The Beginning,” that she finally came back into the picture via a voice on the radio that offered help to Morgan’s group. This was followed by the arrival of a CRM helicopter. It brought them safety from the nukes, but it’s possible that this event will result in more problems later on. Here’s why the CRM may be the next big threat facing Morgan and his allies in Fear the Walking Dead.

Why Isabelle May Not Return To The CRM

Left fractured by the nukes, Morgan’s group was split apart, but some of the characters were able to stick together. Daniel (Rubén Blades), Wes (Colby Hollman), Sarah (Mo Collins), Charlie (Alexa Nisenson), Rabbi Jacob (Peter Jacobson), and Luciana (Danay Garcia), were all able to flee the area on the CRM helicopter sent by Al. Al doesn’t reveal the name of the CRM helicopter pilot, nor does the episode show their face, but it’s implied that this person is Isabelle. What this means is that Al must have reunited with her off-screen, and convinced her to help out her friends when Teddy (John Glover) unleashed the warheads.

Among the things that the finale didn’t go into is where Al and Isabelle were before the nukes went off, and where Isabelle is taking them now. The answers to these questions could be key to what comes next for Fear the Walking Dead. Previously, it was indicated that Isabelle and Al couldn’t have a relationship as long as she was with the CRM, so the two being together suggests that something has happened. In episode 11, Al thought that Teddy’s cult might be targeting Isabelle, so it may be that Al had to help her. But instead of going their separate ways after meeting again, Isabelle presumably didn’t go back to the CRM. Not only that, but she used the organization’s resources to rescue Al’s friends. Given that Al was the one who sent her, it looks like Isabelle was not acting as a CRM pilot in the finale.

Instead, it’s more likely that Isabelle has gone rogue. For this reason, it makes sense that the plan is for Isabelle to take Daniel’s group to wherever Al is holed up, and not to any CRM base. Or, if she hasn’t gone rogue yet, her actions in the finale may have set her on that course. The CRM has saved people before (i.e. Rick Grimes), but saving Al’s friends appears to have been an unauthorized pickup that the CRM would take issue with since it was for personal reasons.

Why The CRM Could Attack Morgan’s Group In Fear TWD Season 7

Daniel, June, Luciana, Wes, and Jacob on Fear the Walking Dead

Fear the Walking Dead showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg has promised that “complications” will come as a result of Al and Isabelle’s decision. That’s not necessarily surprising, considering the circumstances. If Isabelle has to go on the run from the CRM now (and with one of their helicopters no less), the organization is certain to retaliate. If CRM’s appearances in The Walking Dead universe have told viewers anything about their operations, it’s that they like their secrets. That makes Isabelle’s decision a big problem, because now there are a handful of survivors who are going to be asking some important questions about them in Fear the Walking Dead season 7.

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From the CRM’s standpoint, these characters (and Isabelle) could have just become liabilities that will need to be eliminated. The CRM could send a task force, led by a new character, to reclaim the helicopter, and any other resources Isabelle may have taken from them. The ruthlessness they have displayed in Fear the Walking Dead season 5 and World Beyond suggests that they won’t hesitate to kill anyone that stands in their way.

Why The CRM Battle Could Be A Season-Long Conflict

Unlike what transpired in seasons 5 and 6, the CRM may not have a short arc in season 7. In fact, they could be around for most of the season as they work to capture or kill Al, Isabelle, Daniel, Wes, Sarah, Charlie, Rabbi Jacob, and Luciana. If their initial attempt doesn’t go as planned, they could keep looking. For the CRM, it could be a game of cat-and-mouse. In other words, Morgan’s group doesn’t really stand a chance against an organization as massive or well-equipped as the CRM. They only beat the Pioneers because they took out their leader; defeating the CRM, on the other hand, will be much more complicated. Daniel’s military experience and a possible alliance with the Pioneers could help them survive, which may be the most they’ll be able to do. Rather than fight back and win, the goal of Morgan’s group in season 7 may just be to hide from the CRM while simultaneously navigating through a nuclear apocalypse.

What A CRM Plan In Fear TWD Season 7 Means For The Future

The Walking Dead Rick Grimes

The prospect of the CRM being the villains for season 7 has implications for the future of The Walking Dead franchise as a whole. The CRM being at the center of two shows plus the movies could be a sign that they could unite the franchise. It may be that AMC’s intention is for The Walking Dead movies to be a universe-wide crossover, so their respective main characters sharing a common enemy would be a good way for that work. Judith (Cailey Fleming) having some knowledge Rick’s situation leaves the door open for the people of Alexandria to be drawn into the story, and the CRM being at odds with Morgan’s group in Fear the Walking Dead season 7 may be the stepping stone needed for them to take part in the action. If this happens, Rick could be joined by an assortment of allies from across the Walking Dead universe.

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