Fear the Walking Dead Reveals Teddy’s Terrifying Backstory

Fear the Walking Dead introduces a new character who is well acquainted with the cult leader Teddy and his horrifying past.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Fear the Walking Dead Season 6, Episode 13, "J.D.," which aired Sunday on AMC.

Since Virginia's demise, the Fear the Walking Dead protagonists have struggled with a new threat -- the "underground" cult. In Episode 11, "The Holding," an infiltration mission revealed the cult follows a strict "circle of life" mentality. They do not fear the dead but believe they represent new life, prompting them to grind walkers into fertilizer for their plants, which feed their community. However, they have a far more sinister plan to meet their needs -- destroy everyone above ground. While it sounds crazy to insight more death and destruction during an apocalypse, the cult's followers are on board, thanks to their charismatic leader Teddy. At first glance, he's well dressed with a scraggly beard and glasses. However, beneath that unimposing exterior, Teddy harbors a dark secret.

After Grace's emotional episode, Fear the Walking Dead shifts gears to focus on June, Dwight and Sherry in Episode 13, "J.D." While searching for gasoline, the trio crosses paths with a seemingly hostile man. However, once June comes face to face with him, she discovers he's John Dorie Sr., her lat husband's estranged father. To their surprise, June and John Sr. share a common goal: tracking down the underground cult.

John Sr. is well acquainted with Teddy, a former mortician and serial killer active during the '70s. John Sr. was the cop working the case who put Teddy away for life. He informs June that Teddy was preaching the same '"End is the Beginning malarkey" decades ago. While on their way to follow up on a lead, June and John Sr. come across an embalmed walker with their mouth sewed shut. John confirms it's Teddy's M.O. (modus operandi), which is what he did to his victims when "the dead stayed dead."

Teddy has brainwashed his followers into embalming victims for a supposed greater purpose. However, John Sr.'s comment shines a new light on Teddy's ideology. Teddy is reenacting his own twisted fetish. It's a horrifying realization that puts the Fear the Walking Dead antagonist up there with other infamous serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Gein.

When June asks what Teddy wants, John replies, "What he's always wanted. Destruction." He also reveals Teddy uses the embalming fluid to keep out the "unworthy" to prevent people from moving on to the next world. In a way, Teddy is a successful salesperson who sold his twisted idea to his followers. As such, John believes these people are "armed and highly motivated." It's a deadly combination that suggests the cult will be one of Fear the Walking Dead's most challenging threats yet.

However, John Sr. is also highly motivated. His RV features a wall filled with information on Teddy, including old missing person flyers, newspaper clippings and current photos of the End is the Beginning graffiti. It's clear John and Teddy have a personal decades-old feud. "I should have killed him when I had the chance," John Sr. shrugs. "Guess it's not too late." John's statement could be foreshadowing that he'll face his old enemy again. Now that June invited him into Morgan's group, the possibility seems more of a reality in Season 6's coming episodes.

Fear the Walking Dead stars Lennie James, Rubén Blades, Colman Domingo, Danay Garcia, Maggie Grace, Garret Dillahunt, Jenna Elfman, Alexa Nisenson, Karen David, Austin Amelio, Mo Collins, Zoe Colletti and Christine Evangelista. New episodes air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on AMC.