Aaron Pierce

Infobox character
series=24


caption=Glenn Morshower as Aaron Pierce
name=Aaron Pierce
portrayer=Glenn Morshower
lbl1=Appearances

data1=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Aaron Pierce is a fictional character on the television series "24", played by actor Glenn Morshower. Pierce is a (now retired) Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, tasked with leading the teams guarding, at various times, David Palmer and Charles Logan. Pierce has one son, who, when last he was mentioned, was serving in the United States Navy. Aside from Jack Bauer, Pierce is the only character to have appeared in every season of 24.

Concept and creation

Characterization

Aaron Pierce joined the Secret Service during Ronald Reagan's second term in office, and was eventually assigned to the detail of presidential candidate Senator David Palmer (D-MD) while he was campaigning during Day One. He spoke to Palmer of a son in the Navy on Day Two; his son was brought up again in conversation in Day Four, when Pierce indicated his son recently re-upped.

Appearances

During Day 1, Agent Pierce, who was part of a special unit called in when serious threats are made against someone's life, was put in charge of the Secret Service detail protecting Senator Palmer. He helped protect Senator Palmer from two assassination attempts during the course of that day.

Pierce met Jack Bauer twice during the day; first, during a breakfast at the San Clarita Power Plant where an attempt was made on Senator Palmer's life, and for a second time when Jack assisted with the Elizabeth Nash sting operation.

During Day 2, Aaron was promoted to Presidential detail, where he was the head of the team assigned to protect President Palmer. Before Vice President Jim Prescott attempted to overthrow David Palmer with the 25th Amendment, David asked Aaron what he thinks Prescott might being doing. Aaron only stated that he thinks President Palmer is right, and he should listen to his instincts.

After President Palmer was replaced as President by Jim Prescott, Pierce was assigned to guard Palmer until his release. When Palmer wanted to talk with Pierce about the day's events, Pierce explained that he couldn't talk to Palmer, but he did agree to listen. He eventually did talk, despite his best efforts to remain quiet.

President Palmer, who was trying to get access to a phone to contact Jack Bauer, turned to Pierce for help. Pierce was able to get him a satellite phone. His actions were soon discovered by Mike Novick, who ordered for Pierce to be arrested. Palmer protested, but Pierce was still detained. As Pierce was being taken into custody, Palmer apologized for involving him. Pierce's last words to Palmer as he was being arrested were, "You have nothing to be sorry for, Mr. President." After Palmer returned to office, Pierce was reinstated.

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Aaron is briefly seen escorting President Palmer, who is still suffering the after-effects of his poisoning by professional assassin Mandy, to a suite.

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During Day 3, Pierce was still assigned to the security detail on President Palmer. He stayed on for an extra shift when it looked like the day was going to be rough, which seemed to comfort Palmer. He regularly stood directly outside President Palmer's door to let in a constant stream of visitors, including President Palmer's brother, Wayne, and his ex-wife, Sherry. Later that day, when the terrorist attack on Los Angeles appeared to be inevitable, Agent Pierce tried to convince Palmer to board Air Force One so he could evacuate to a safe location. When Palmer refused, stating his presence was needed in L.A. now more than ever, Pierce didn't object. Aaron told President Palmer that he was sorry for his actions, but Palmer told him he shouldn't be sorry for doing his job. For the remainder of the day, he remains at President Palmer's side.

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During Day 4, Pierce was assigned to the security detail for Vice President Charles Logan. As the events of Day 4 unfolded, Logan was sworn in as President, and Pierce once again became part of the Presidential security detail. Pierce later revealed from news archive footage that the hired mercenary, Mandy, who was being offered immunity was responsible for the biological assassination attempt on President Palmer at the end of Day 2. Day 4 was the last time that Aaron Pierce and President Palmer saw each other on screen. [cite episode|title = 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM | series = 24 | serieslink = 24 (TV series) | season = 4 | number = 96|airdate=2005-05-23|credits = Writer: Robert Cochran & Howard Gordon Director: Jon Cassar]

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During Day 5, Pierce was the head of the Secret Service detail in charge of protecting President Logan. Early in the day, Pierce became suspicious of Walt Cummings after talking with First Lady Martha Logan. Pierce helped Jack Bauer apprehend Cummings once it was discovered that Cummings had betrayed the United States (USA) by helping Russian terrorist Vladimir Bierko obtain several canisters of Sentox nerve gas. [cite episode|title = 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | series = 24 | serieslink = 24 (TV series) | season = 5 | number = 102|airdate=2006-01-30|credits = Writer: David Fury Director: Jon Cassar]

Later in the day, Pierce accompanied the Russian President, Yuri Suvarov, his wife, Anya, and Martha Logan in their motorcade. Pierce helped foil an assassination attempt on Yuri Suvarov orchestrated by the terrorists controlling the nerve gas. Martha confided to Pierce that President Logan knew of the attack and failed to prevent it. [cite episode|title = 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | series = 24 | serieslink = 24 (TV series) | season = 5 | number = 106|airdate=2006-02-27|credits = Writer: Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff Director: Tim Iacofano] [cite episode|title = 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | series = 24 | serieslink = 24 (TV series) | season = 5 | number = 107|airdate=2006-03-06|credits = Writer: Nicole Ranadive Director: Jon Cassar]

While talking with Martha back at the Presidential compound in Los Angeles, Mike Novick interrupted what appears to be a tender moment between the two. Aaron attempted to assure Mike that nothing happened though Mike only warned him not to let it happen again.

Later that evening, Pierce got a call from David Palmer's brother, Wayne, who indicated he had important information that David wanted to share with Pierce. Unfortunately, Wayne's car was attacked by masked men before he could reach Pierce and Wayne had to escape on foot. When Wayne failed to show up for the meeting, Pierce went out to search for him. Wayne and Pierce found each other, and they headed back to the retreat together, narrowly escaping an attack.

Between 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m., Jack informs Pierce that the man inside the government responsible for the nerve gas attacks was President Logan himself, and he warns Jack that Logan set out an arrest warrant for him. When Martha confronted Pierce between 12:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m., he told her to meet him behind the southern horse stables. When Martha appeared and did not see Pierce, she called his cell phone, only to find it on the ground beside her. When Martha asked other secret service agents and President Logan about the whereabouts of Pierce, she was informed that he had been transferred back to Washington, DC.

It was later discovered that Pierce was alive and being held in the presidential retreat, having been beaten and restrained. President Logan asked Pierce to remain silent on the issue of Logan's hand in the assassination of David Palmer, offering him his choice of any assignment in the Secret Service (with the exception of the White House). Pierce, however, refused to stay quiet and claimed that it was his duty to seek justice. The normally respectful Pierce expressed his contempt for the President by addressing him by his first name. Subsequently, Logan ordered Pierce to be killed, but the execution was stopped by the First Lady, Martha Logan, when she discovered Secret Service Agent Justin Adams about to drive Pierce away in the trunk of a car. When it looked like Agent Adams was possibly going to shoot Martha, Aaron attacked Agent Adams. Unfortunately, Aaron could not defend himself, but Martha was able to take Agent Adams' gun and kill him before Aaron could be killed. After a brief period of wiping away blood smeared on Aaron's face, Pierce asked Mrs. Logan to find Chief of Staff Mike Novick and tell him everything about the situation, and sat in waiting to meet Novick. [cite episode|title = 4:00 AM - 5:00 AM | series = 24 | serieslink = 24 (TV series) | season = 5 | number = 118|airdate=2006-05-15|credits = Writer: Sam Montgomery & David Fury Director: Brad Turner]

Mrs. Logan did finally apprise Mike Novick of the situation, who took Pierce out to escape the Presidential Retreat and proceed to safety. During the successful escape attempt, Novick received a call from Jack Bauer requesting assistance from both himself and Pierce to infiltrate Marine One and abduct President Logan to extract a confession. Pierce aided Bauer in the infiltration and the undercover operation. [cite episode|title = 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM | series = 24 | serieslink = 24 (TV series) | season = 5 | number = 120|airdate=2006-05-22|credits = Writer: Robert Cochran Director: Jon Cassar]

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Aaron is retired from his job as Secret Service agent and romantically involved with Martha Logan, and is now living with her. Aaron comes home with groceries, and soon answers a phone call from Charles Logan, who begs him to speak with Martha. As the episode unfolds, Aaron acts as somewhat of a mediator between Charles and Martha, understanding both Martha's feelings and also what was at stake in terms of national security. However, Aaron never predicted Martha attacking Charles with a kitchen knife in a fit of rage. After Logan is rushed out in an ambulance, a shaken Pierce helps Martha through her condition to make the essential call to Anya Suvarov to prevent an international incident. [cite episode|title = 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | series = 24 | serieslink = 24 (TV series) | season = 6 | number = 133|airdate=2007-03-12|credits = Writer: Michael Loceff & Joel Surnow Director: Jon Cassar]

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Despite his new commitment to "Friday Night Lights", the 24 team said it's likely that Glenn Morshower's beloved Secret Service Agent Aaron Pierce may be back, continuing his track record of being the only character other than Jack to be in every season. [cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/2007-comicon/24-at-comicon-season-7-preview-8783.aspx|title=24 at Comicon - Season 7 Preview, Movie News, and Is Tony Alive?|last=Dahl|first=Oscar |date=July 27, 2007 |publisher=Buddy TV|accessdate=2008-07-29]

Critical reception

References