Wiki 24
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| image=[[File:MichelleDesslers4.jpg|290px]]
 
| image=[[File:MichelleDesslers4.jpg|290px]]
 
| left = 25%
 
| left = 25%
 
| name=Michelle Dessler
 
| name=Michelle Dessler
 
| siblings = [[Danny Dessler]] (brother)
| status=Deceased
 
  +
| nationality = {{nat|us}}
| deathdate = [[Season 5|Day 5]]: [[Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am|7:15am]]
 
| deathcause = Car bomb explosion by [[Conrad Haas]]
 
| nationality = [[United States of America|American]]
 
| education = B.S. Computer Science, [[University of California, Davis|UC Davis]]
 
 
| residence = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]<br>[[Seattle]], [[Washington]]
 
| residence = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]<br>[[Seattle]], [[Washington]]
 
| education = B.S. Computer Science, [[University of California, Davis|UC Davis]]
 
| affiliation = [[Counter Terrorist Unit]]
 
| affiliation = [[Counter Terrorist Unit]]
| profession = [[Special Agent in Charge]], [[CTU LA]]<br>Assoc. Special Agent in Charge, [[Division]]<br>Worked at [[CTU Seattle]]<br>[[CTU Chief of Staff|Chief of Staff]], [[CTU LA]]<br>[[Internet Protocol Manager]], [[CTU LA]]<br>Intelligence agent, [[Division]]<br><span style="font-size:xx-small;">High Confidence Systems Working Group, [[DARPA]]</span><br>Computer Security Division, [[National Institute of Standards & Technology|NIST]]
+
| profession = [[CTU Director|Director]], [[CTU LA]]<br>Assoc. Special Agent in Charge, [[Division]]<br>Worked at [[CTU Seattle]]<br>[[CTU Chief of Staff|Chief of Staff]], [[CTU LA]]<br>[[Internet Protocol Manager]], [[CTU LA]]<br>Intelligence agent, [[Division]]<br><span style="font-size:xx-small;">High Confidence Systems Working Group, [[DARPA]]</span><br>Computer Security Division, [[National Institute of Standards & Technology|NIST]]
 
| marital = Married
 
| marital = Married
 
| spouse = [[Tony Almeida]] (husband)
 
| spouse = [[Tony Almeida]] (husband)
  +
| children = ''(unborn child)''
| siblings = [[Danny Dessler]] (brother)
 
 
| others = (sister-in-law)<br>(nieces/nephews)
 
| others = (sister-in-law)<br>(nieces/nephews)
 
| died = [[Season 5|Day 5]]: [[Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am|7:15am]]<br>Car bomb explosion by [[Conrad Haas]]
 
| status=Deceased
  +
| actor=[[Reiko Aylesworth]]
 
| seasons=[[Season 2|2]], [[Season 3|3]], [[Season 4|4]], [[Season 5|5]]
 
| seasons=[[Season 2|2]], [[Season 3|3]], [[Season 4|4]], [[Season 5|5]]
 
| firstseen="[[Day 2: 8:00am-9:00am]]"
 
| firstseen="[[Day 2: 8:00am-9:00am]]"
 
| lastseen="[[Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am]]"
 
| lastseen="[[Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am]]"
| actor=[[Reiko Aylesworth]]}}
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| also =''[[24: The Game]]''
  +
}}
   
 
:''"I don’t want to look back on today and realize I could have helped."''
 
:''"I don’t want to look back on today and realize I could have helped."''
::<small>&mdash; Michelle Dessler, "[[Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am]]"</small>
+
:<small>&mdash; Michelle Dessler, "[[Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am]]"</small>
   
'''Michelle Dessler''' was a high ranking federal agent who worked for [[CTU]] and [[Division]]. She helped save American lives during the national crises of [[Season 2|Days 2]], [[Season 3|3]], and [[Season 4|4]]. She was married to [[Tony Almeida]] and later divorced him; however, they reconciled during the events of [[Season 4|Day 4]]. The couple decided to move away from CTU and start a new life, which they successfully had managed by [[Season 5|Day 5]], by which point Michelle was pregnant.
+
'''Michelle Dessler''' was a high ranking federal agent who worked for [[CTU]] and [[Division]]. She joined CTU in the interval separating Days 1 and 2, and was crucial in foiling the terrorist plots during the national crises of [[Season 2|Days 2]], [[Season 3|3]], and [[Season 4|4]]. After Day 2, she married [[Tony Almeida]] and later divorced him following Day 3; however, they reconciled during the events of [[Season 4|Day 4]]. The couple decided to move away from CTU and start a new life, which they successfully had managed by [[Day 5]], by which point Michelle was pregnant. Tony and Michelle worked in private security.
   
However, she was killed during the [[Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am|first hour of Day 5]] by hitters hired by [[Christopher Henderson]] and [[Graem Bauer]] due to her knowledge of [[Jack Bauer]]'s faked death, in an attempt lure out Jack and frame him for the murder of [[David Palmer]]. Also complicit in her death were [[President]] [[Charles Logan]] and [[Alan Wilson]], whom Tony tried to target during [[Season 7|Day 7]] to avenge her death.
+
During the [[Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am|first hour]] of [[Day 5]], Michelle was killed by [[Conrad Haas]], an assassin working under the [[Sentox nerve gas conspiracy]]. Michelle and Tony were being targeted due to their knowledge of [[Jack Bauer]]'s faked death, in an attempt to frame him for the murder of [[David Palmer]]. Also involved in her death were [[Graem Bauer]], [[Christopher Henderson]], then-[[President]] [[Charles Logan]], and [[Alan Wilson]]; the latter's complicity and Tony's desire for revenge was what drove many of the events of [[Day 7]].
   
 
== Before Day 2 ==
 
== Before Day 2 ==
At some point before Day 2 Michelle worked at [[Washington DC]] and successfully helped to stop an anthrax outbreak there.
+
At some point before Day 2 Michelle worked at [[Washington DC]] and successfully helped to stop an [[anthrax]] outbreak there.
   
Before the events of Day 2, Michelle began to work as a intelligence agent at [[CTU Los Angeles]]. She was the third highest-ranking agent at CTU, below [[George Mason]] and [[Tony Almeida]].
+
Before the events of Day 2, Michelle began to work as an intelligence agent at [[CTU Los Angeles]]. She was the third highest-ranking agent at CTU, below [[George Mason]] and [[Tony Almeida]].
   
 
== Day 2 ==
 
== Day 2 ==
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Michelle helped gather intelligence and follow leads throughout Day 2. She was not severely harmed in the attack upon the building by [[Eddie Grant]] and his group. When former colleague [[Carrie Turner]] came to work at CTU, the two had some issues, escalated by the fact that Michelle's brother [[Danny Dessler|Danny]] (who left his wife and children for Carrie who subsequently left him) turned up at the government building. Frightened from the recent nuclear explosion, Danny showed up at the CTU to see Michelle, only to discover that Carrie was working there. He attacked her, as he was angry that she did not return his calls. This led to security detaining him and Michelle becoming emotional. Tony comforted her and the two shared an intimate moment.
 
Michelle helped gather intelligence and follow leads throughout Day 2. She was not severely harmed in the attack upon the building by [[Eddie Grant]] and his group. When former colleague [[Carrie Turner]] came to work at CTU, the two had some issues, escalated by the fact that Michelle's brother [[Danny Dessler|Danny]] (who left his wife and children for Carrie who subsequently left him) turned up at the government building. Frightened from the recent nuclear explosion, Danny showed up at the CTU to see Michelle, only to discover that Carrie was working there. He attacked her, as he was angry that she did not return his calls. This led to security detaining him and Michelle becoming emotional. Tony comforted her and the two shared an intimate moment.
   
  +
[[File:Michelle Tony kiss.jpg|thumb|225px|Michelle and Tony embrace]]
When [[Jack Bauer|Jack]] later found evidence proving that the [[Cyprus recording]] that was going to launch the US into war was forged, Michelle helped Jack in proving its illegitimacy. However, Tony (whom Michelle was close with) did not like her and Jack averting the law to prove the recording was fake. He, along with Carrie, tried to stop her from proving its illegitimacy but eventually began to help her. At the end of the day the two agreed to go on a date.
 
  +
 
When [[Jack Bauer|Jack]] later found evidence proving that the [[Cyprus recording]] that was going to launch the US into war was forged, Michelle helped Jack in proving its illegitimacy. However, Tony (whom Michelle was close with) initially did not approve of her and Jack averting their orders. Initially, he, along with Carrie, tried to stop her from proving its illegitimacy but eventually began to help her. At the end of the day the two acknowledged their love for one another.
   
 
== After Day 2 ==
 
== After Day 2 ==
   
At some point between [[Season 2|Day 2]] and [[Day 3|3]], Michelle and Tony were married. Tony became the [[Special Agent in Charge]] of CTU, promoting Michelle to [[Chief of Staff]].
+
At some point between [[Season 2|Day 2]] and [[Season 3|3]], Michelle and Tony were married. Tony became the [[CTU Director|Director]] of CTU, promoting Michelle to [[CTU Chief of Staff]].
   
 
=== The Game ===
 
=== The Game ===
   
[[File:Ep22.jpg|150px|right|thumb|200px|Michelle with [[Jack Bauer|Jack]] and [[Tony Almeida|Tony]] during [[The Game]]]]
+
[[File:Ep22.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Michelle with [[Jack Bauer|Jack]] and [[Tony Almeida|Tony]] during [[The Game]]]]
   
 
During the events of [[The Game]], Michelle worked at [[CTU Los Angeles]] as [[CTU Chief of Staff]] where she assisted [[Jack Bauer]] with the threat. Throughout the day, Michelle helped give logistical information to field agents as well as help to re-boot the CTU computer after the attack.
 
During the events of [[The Game]], Michelle worked at [[CTU Los Angeles]] as [[CTU Chief of Staff]] where she assisted [[Jack Bauer]] with the threat. Throughout the day, Michelle helped give logistical information to field agents as well as help to re-boot the CTU computer after the attack.
   
When [[CTU]] was attacked by [[Peter Madsen]] and his men, Dessler and [[Kim Bauer]] were in [[Tech 1]]. They were two of a few CTU [[agent]]s not captured or killed during the attack. Michelle helped get Kim to the safe room [[M3 (Room)|M3]] although she herself was captured. [[Sean Walker]] was killed during the attack, an intern of Michelle's.
+
When [[CTU]] was attacked by [[Peter Madsen]] and his men, Dessler and [[Kim Bauer]] were in [[Tech 1]]. They were two of a few CTU [[agent]]s not captured or killed during the attack. Michelle helped get Kim to the [[CTU panic room]] although she herself was captured. [[Sean Walker]] was killed during the attack, an intern of Michelle's.
 
{{-}}
 
   
 
== Day 3 ==
 
== Day 3 ==
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Michelle was temporarily posted at the [[CTU Seattle|Seattle]] branch of the [[Counter Terrorist Unit]]. There she met [[Bill Buchanan]] and they became close. Both of them shared feelings for each other and started a relationship. However, Bill realized that Michelle was still in love with Tony and they decided to end it before it got too serious. Michelle then earned a position as the Associate Special Agent in Charge of [[Division]] in [[Los Angeles]]. Bill was also transferred there as the Regional Director, the former position of [[Ryan Chappelle]].
 
Michelle was temporarily posted at the [[CTU Seattle|Seattle]] branch of the [[Counter Terrorist Unit]]. There she met [[Bill Buchanan]] and they became close. Both of them shared feelings for each other and started a relationship. However, Bill realized that Michelle was still in love with Tony and they decided to end it before it got too serious. Michelle then earned a position as the Associate Special Agent in Charge of [[Division]] in [[Los Angeles]]. Bill was also transferred there as the Regional Director, the former position of [[Ryan Chappelle]].
   
{{-}}
 
 
== Day 4 ==
 
== Day 4 ==
   
 
: ''Read more about [[Michelle Dessler on Day 4]]''
 
: ''Read more about [[Michelle Dessler on Day 4]]''
   
[[File:MichelleDay4.2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Michelle takes over as the [[Special Agent in Charge]] of [[CTU Los Angeles]].]]
+
[[File:MichelleDay4.2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Michelle takes over as the [[CTU Director|Director]] of [[CTU Los Angeles]]]]
   
After [[Maya Driscoll]] committed suicide at [[CTU Los Angeles]], [[Erin Driscoll]] wasn't able to focus on her work and [[James Heller|Secretary of Defense James Heller]] advised her to step down. [[Tony Almeida]], who was reinstated several hours earlier, held the position of [[Special Agent in Charge]] until the replacement from [[Division]] arrived. Tony was shocked when he learned that Michelle was the replacement.
+
After [[Maya Driscoll]] committed suicide at [[CTU Los Angeles]], [[Erin Driscoll]] wasn't able to focus on her work and [[James Heller|Secretary of Defense James Heller]] advised her to step down. [[Tony Almeida]], who was reinstated several hours earlier, held the position of [[CTU Director]] until the replacement from [[Division]] arrived. Tony was shocked when he learned that Michelle was the replacement.
   
 
The two managed to work together, but Tony found things difficult for a while when he found out about her and Buchanan's relationship. They later rekindled their love for one another in a situation that arose from an [[Mandy|old foe]]. They both assisted in faking [[Jack Bauer|Jack's]] death to ensure that he would not be killed by a US operative to prevent him from being imprisoned and tortured by the [[China|Chinese]].
 
The two managed to work together, but Tony found things difficult for a while when he found out about her and Buchanan's relationship. They later rekindled their love for one another in a situation that arose from an [[Mandy|old foe]]. They both assisted in faking [[Jack Bauer|Jack's]] death to ensure that he would not be killed by a US operative to prevent him from being imprisoned and tortured by the [[China|Chinese]].
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== After Day 4 ==
 
== After Day 4 ==
   
After Michelle helped [[David Palmer]], [[Chloe O'Brian]], and [[Tony Almeida]] stage the death of [[Jack Bauer]], she left [[CTU Los Angeles]] and [[Division]] with Tony. Eventually the two re-married and they started their own private security technology company. Michelle was pregnant with the couple's first child at the onset of [[Season 5|Day 5]], although this was not revealed until the Day 7 finale, when [[Tony Almeida]] tells [[Alan Wilson]] that it wasn't just Michelle he killed - he also killed his unborn son.
+
After Michelle helped [[David Palmer]], [[Chloe O'Brian]], and [[Tony Almeida]] stage the death of [[Jack Bauer]], she left [[CTU Los Angeles]] and [[Division]] with Tony. Eventually the two re-married and they started their own private security technology company. Michelle was pregnant with the couple's first child at the onset of [[Day 5]]. {{cite|web/ta|7x24}}
 
   
 
== Day 5 ==
 
== Day 5 ==
   
[[File:MichelleDay5.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Michelle tells Tony she wants to help CTU.]]
+
[[File:MichelleDay5.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Michelle tells Tony she wants to help CTU, just moments before her death]]
 
Tony and Michelle were preparing for an anticipated business meeting with [[Rick Rosen]], when they learned that David Palmer was assassinated in his [[Wayne Palmer|brother's]] apartment. Since the assassination took place in [[Los Angeles]], Michelle knew that [[CTU Los Angeles|CTU LA]] would lead the investigation. She tried to convince Tony to go back to CTU to help, but Tony argued that they weren't working there anymore and that CTU could handle it. However, Michelle insisted, saying they had more experience and had previously worked during two assassination attempts on Palmer.
 
Tony and Michelle were preparing for an anticipated business meeting with [[Rick Rosen]], when they learned that David Palmer was assassinated in his [[Wayne Palmer|brother's]] apartment. Since the assassination took place in [[Los Angeles]], Michelle knew that [[CTU Los Angeles|CTU LA]] would lead the investigation. She tried to convince Tony to go back to CTU to help, but Tony argued that they weren't working there anymore and that CTU could handle it. However, Michelle insisted, saying they had more experience and had previously worked during two assassination attempts on Palmer.
   
Although Tony tried to stop her, Michelle decided to leave. As she went to her car and opened it, a car bomb went off. After Tony heard the explosion, he ran outside and grabbed her, but another explosion went off engulfing them both. Though Tony managed to survive the blast and was transported to CTU medical for surgery, Michelle died from her injuries.
+
Although Tony tried to stop her, Michelle decided to leave. As she went to her car and opened it, there was an explosion. After Tony heard the explosion, he ran outside and grabbed her, but another explosion went off engulfing them both. Though Tony managed to survive the blast and was transported to CTU medical for surgery, Michelle died from her injuries.
   
 
[[File:Tony with dead Michelle.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Michelle dies in the arms of [[Tony Almeida|her husband]]]]
 
[[File:Tony with dead Michelle.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Michelle dies in the arms of [[Tony Almeida|her husband]]]]
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[[Graem Bauer]] played a pivotal role in the assassinations, having paid the killers and set the timetable to lure Jack out of hiding; additionally, the original mastermind of the conspiracy was private military executive [[Alan Wilson]]. [[President]] [[Charles Logan]] was complicit in the murder of Michelle as well as Palmer and the attempts on Almeida and O'Brian. The heartbreak caused by her murder — as well as the unborn son she was carrying — spurred Tony to seek revenge at any cost on Wilson in [[Day 7]].
 
[[Graem Bauer]] played a pivotal role in the assassinations, having paid the killers and set the timetable to lure Jack out of hiding; additionally, the original mastermind of the conspiracy was private military executive [[Alan Wilson]]. [[President]] [[Charles Logan]] was complicit in the murder of Michelle as well as Palmer and the attempts on Almeida and O'Brian. The heartbreak caused by her murder — as well as the unborn son she was carrying — spurred Tony to seek revenge at any cost on Wilson in [[Day 7]].
   
  +
In Solitary, Tony mentions to the head of the prison that every night he wakes up in a cold sweat re-living the moment Michelle was killed in the car bomb blast. He mentions that his wife would never have approved of the actions he took to get to Alan Wilson, and if he could save even one life he would feel worthy of her love again. However, the meeting to be released to general prison population was just a play to get schematics to an escape route from Vanessa Diaz. It is therefore difficult to determine if Tony feels any regret of his actions.
{{-}}
 
   
 
== Background information and notes ==
 
== Background information and notes ==
 
* Michelle's surname is misspelled as "Dressler" in the Spanish dub of the series in every season she appears or is mentioned.
 
* Michelle's surname is misspelled as "Dressler" in the Spanish dub of the series in every season she appears or is mentioned.
* Michelle is the only character besides [[Charles Logan]] to have been credited in 3 of the 4 billings available. In [[Season 2]] she was credited as [[Guest Star]], in [[Season 3]] she was credited as a [[Main Cast]] member and in Seasons [[Season 4|4]] and [[Season 5|5]] she was credited as a [[Special Guest Star]].
+
* [[Reiko Aylesworth]], Michelle's actress, is the only performer besides [[Gregory Itzin]] ([[Charles Logan]]) to have been credited in 3 of the 5 billings available. In [[Season 2]] she was credited as [[guest star]], in [[Season 3]] she was credited as a [[main cast]] member, and in Seasons [[Season 4|4]] and [[Season 5|5]] she was credited as a [[special guest star]].
* Michelle is the seventh longest running character on the series, and appears in all episodes of seasons 2 and 3. For comprehensive episode counts for all the re-appearing characters, see [[Recurring_characters#Multiple_seasons|multi-season recurring characters]].
+
* Michelle is the sixth character portrayed by a [[main cast]] member to die in ''[[24]]''. For the others, see [[Main cast#Character deaths|here]].
* Michelle holds the third place for most appearances (62 in total) for a deceased character. [[David Palmer]] is in first place at 80 episodes and [[Bill Buchanan]] is second at 64.
+
* Michelle is the [[Recurring characters|eighth longest running]] character on ''24'', appearing in 62 episodes total, including the entirety of seasons 2 and 3.
 
* Michelle and Tony have the most appearances as a married couple, appearing in 25 episodes together.
 
* Michelle and Tony have the most appearances as a married couple, appearing in 25 episodes together.
  +
* In the [[Season 2/India|second season]] of the [[24/India|Indian version of ''24'']], Michelle's counterpart is [[Shibani Mallick]].
  +
* Michelle is one of five female [[CTU Director]]s seen on the show. The other characters are [[Alberta Green]], [[Erin Driscoll]], [[Nadia Yassir]] and [[Chloe O'Brian]].
   
  +
==Live appearances==
==Appearances==
 
 
{{Appearances
 
{{Appearances
   
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{{image}}
 
{{image}}
   
{{browser| jobtitle=[[CTU Los Angeles]] [[CTU Chief of Staff|Chief of Staff]]| prec=Tony Almeida| succ=Curtis Manning}}
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{{browser| jobtitle1=[[CTU Los Angeles]] [[CTU Chief of Staff|Chief of Staff]]| prec1=Tony Almeida| succ1=Curtis Manning
{{browser| jobtitle=[[Special Agent in Charge]] of<br />[[CTU Los Angeles]]| prec=Tony Almeida| succ=Bill Buchanan}}
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|jobtitle2=[[CTU Director|Director]] of<br />[[CTU Los Angeles]]| prec2=Tony Almeida| succ2=Bill Buchanan}}
 
{{CTU Los Angeles}}
 
{{CTU Los Angeles}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dessler, Michelle}}
 
 
   
 
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[[cs:Michelle Dessler]]
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[[fr:Michelle Dessler]]
 
[[fr:Michelle Dessler]]
 
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[[nl:Michelle Dessler]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dessler, Michelle}}
 
[[Category:Michelle Dessler| ]]
 
[[Category:Michelle Dessler| ]]
 
[[Category:Characters]]
 
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[[Category:Day 4 characters]]
 
[[Category:Day 4 characters]]
 
[[Category:Day 5 characters]]
 
[[Category:Day 5 characters]]
[[Category:CTU characters]]
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[[Category:CTU personnel]]
 
[[Category:CTU intelligence agents]]
 
[[Category:CTU intelligence agents]]
 
[[Category:Deceased characters]]
 
[[Category:Deceased characters]]

Revision as of 22:26, 14 October 2019

This article's subject relates to Season 2 of 24.This article's subject relates to Season 3 of 24.This article's subject relates to Season 4 of 24.This article's subject relates to Season 5 of 24.This article's subject relates to the 24 expanded universe.
"I don’t want to look back on today and realize I could have helped."
— Michelle Dessler, "Day 5: 7:00am-8:00am"

Michelle Dessler was a high ranking federal agent who worked for CTU and Division. She joined CTU in the interval separating Days 1 and 2, and was crucial in foiling the terrorist plots during the national crises of Days 2, 3, and 4. After Day 2, she married Tony Almeida and later divorced him following Day 3; however, they reconciled during the events of Day 4. The couple decided to move away from CTU and start a new life, which they successfully had managed by Day 5, by which point Michelle was pregnant. Tony and Michelle worked in private security.

During the first hour of Day 5, Michelle was killed by Conrad Haas, an assassin working under the Sentox nerve gas conspiracy. Michelle and Tony were being targeted due to their knowledge of Jack Bauer's faked death, in an attempt to frame him for the murder of David Palmer. Also involved in her death were Graem Bauer, Christopher Henderson, then-President Charles Logan, and Alan Wilson; the latter's complicity and Tony's desire for revenge was what drove many of the events of Day 7.

Before Day 2

At some point before Day 2 Michelle worked at Washington DC and successfully helped to stop an anthrax outbreak there.

Before the events of Day 2, Michelle began to work as an intelligence agent at CTU Los Angeles. She was the third highest-ranking agent at CTU, below George Mason and Tony Almeida.

Day 2

Read more about Michelle Dessler on Day 2
TonyMichelleDiscussCyprus

Michelle and Tony discuss the Cyprus recording

Michelle helped gather intelligence and follow leads throughout Day 2. She was not severely harmed in the attack upon the building by Eddie Grant and his group. When former colleague Carrie Turner came to work at CTU, the two had some issues, escalated by the fact that Michelle's brother Danny (who left his wife and children for Carrie who subsequently left him) turned up at the government building. Frightened from the recent nuclear explosion, Danny showed up at the CTU to see Michelle, only to discover that Carrie was working there. He attacked her, as he was angry that she did not return his calls. This led to security detaining him and Michelle becoming emotional. Tony comforted her and the two shared an intimate moment.

Michelle Tony kiss

Michelle and Tony embrace

When Jack later found evidence proving that the Cyprus recording that was going to launch the US into war was forged, Michelle helped Jack in proving its illegitimacy. However, Tony (whom Michelle was close with) initially did not approve of her and Jack averting their orders. Initially, he, along with Carrie, tried to stop her from proving its illegitimacy but eventually began to help her. At the end of the day the two acknowledged their love for one another.

After Day 2

At some point between Day 2 and 3, Michelle and Tony were married. Tony became the Director of CTU, promoting Michelle to CTU Chief of Staff.

The Game

Ep22

Michelle with Jack and Tony during The Game

During the events of The Game, Michelle worked at CTU Los Angeles as CTU Chief of Staff where she assisted Jack Bauer with the threat. Throughout the day, Michelle helped give logistical information to field agents as well as help to re-boot the CTU computer after the attack.

When CTU was attacked by Peter Madsen and his men, Dessler and Kim Bauer were in Tech 1. They were two of a few CTU agents not captured or killed during the attack. Michelle helped get Kim to the CTU panic room although she herself was captured. Sean Walker was killed during the attack, an intern of Michelle's.

Day 3

Read more about Michelle Dessler on Day 3

Michelle once again assisted with the threats that CTU faced, this time dealing with an attack of a virus. The virus was released at Chandler Plaza Hotel whilst Michelle was present, but she soon found out that she was in fact immune to the virus, unlike her unfortunate colleague, Gael Ortega who died.

Later, Michelle was captured and used as bait by Stephen Saunders to coerce Tony into allowing him to walk free. Tony went through with the deal but also managed to capture Saunders in the process. Tony and Michelle were reunited, but before long Tony was taken away to prison.

After Day 3

MichelleS3E24

Michelle is distraught after Tony is taken away and arrested

Both President Palmer and Jack Bauer testified on behalf of Tony during his trial, but he was still sentenced to a maximum security prison. After Tony served seven months, he was released under a Presidential pardon. Tony lost his position at CTU and he remained unemployed. Due to the stress he suffered while in prison and his unemployment situation, Tony turned to alcohol and this ultimately caused him to push Michelle away. Michelle filed for divorce and Tony began to live with a female bartender, Jen Slater.

Michelle was temporarily posted at the Seattle branch of the Counter Terrorist Unit. There she met Bill Buchanan and they became close. Both of them shared feelings for each other and started a relationship. However, Bill realized that Michelle was still in love with Tony and they decided to end it before it got too serious. Michelle then earned a position as the Associate Special Agent in Charge of Division in Los Angeles. Bill was also transferred there as the Regional Director, the former position of Ryan Chappelle.

Day 4

Read more about Michelle Dessler on Day 4
MichelleDay4

Michelle takes over as the Director of CTU Los Angeles

After Maya Driscoll committed suicide at CTU Los Angeles, Erin Driscoll wasn't able to focus on her work and Secretary of Defense James Heller advised her to step down. Tony Almeida, who was reinstated several hours earlier, held the position of CTU Director until the replacement from Division arrived. Tony was shocked when he learned that Michelle was the replacement.

The two managed to work together, but Tony found things difficult for a while when he found out about her and Buchanan's relationship. They later rekindled their love for one another in a situation that arose from an old foe. They both assisted in faking Jack's death to ensure that he would not be killed by a US operative to prevent him from being imprisoned and tortured by the Chinese.

After Day 4

After Michelle helped David Palmer, Chloe O'Brian, and Tony Almeida stage the death of Jack Bauer, she left CTU Los Angeles and Division with Tony. Eventually the two re-married and they started their own private security technology company. Michelle was pregnant with the couple's first child at the onset of Day 5. (Fox.com profile, "Day 7: 7:00am-8:00am")

Day 5

MichelleDay5

Michelle tells Tony she wants to help CTU, just moments before her death

Tony and Michelle were preparing for an anticipated business meeting with Rick Rosen, when they learned that David Palmer was assassinated in his brother's apartment. Since the assassination took place in Los Angeles, Michelle knew that CTU LA would lead the investigation. She tried to convince Tony to go back to CTU to help, but Tony argued that they weren't working there anymore and that CTU could handle it. However, Michelle insisted, saying they had more experience and had previously worked during two assassination attempts on Palmer.

Although Tony tried to stop her, Michelle decided to leave. As she went to her car and opened it, there was an explosion. After Tony heard the explosion, he ran outside and grabbed her, but another explosion went off engulfing them both. Though Tony managed to survive the blast and was transported to CTU medical for surgery, Michelle died from her injuries.

Tony with dead Michelle

Michelle dies in the arms of her husband

She had massive contusions to the chest and face, with third degree burns over 93 percent of her body.

After Tony awoke, Bill Buchanan told Tony that Michelle didn't die, as Doctor Besson felt that any emotional trauma would endanger Tony's heart health. Eventually Tony learned the truth and that Christopher Henderson ordered her murder. This led to Tony's apparent death as Tony tried to kill him, relented, but was himself attacked by Henderson and almost died.

Graem Bauer played a pivotal role in the assassinations, having paid the killers and set the timetable to lure Jack out of hiding; additionally, the original mastermind of the conspiracy was private military executive Alan Wilson. President Charles Logan was complicit in the murder of Michelle as well as Palmer and the attempts on Almeida and O'Brian. The heartbreak caused by her murder — as well as the unborn son she was carrying — spurred Tony to seek revenge at any cost on Wilson in Day 7.

In Solitary, Tony mentions to the head of the prison that every night he wakes up in a cold sweat re-living the moment Michelle was killed in the car bomb blast. He mentions that his wife would never have approved of the actions he took to get to Alan Wilson, and if he could save even one life he would feel worthy of her love again. However, the meeting to be released to general prison population was just a play to get schematics to an escape route from Vanessa Diaz. It is therefore difficult to determine if Tony feels any regret of his actions.

Background information and notes

Live appearances


See also

Wiki 24 has a collection of quotations related to Michelle Dessler.
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Preceded by:
Tony Almeida
CTU Los Angeles Chief of Staff Succeeded by:
Curtis Manning
Preceded by:
Tony Almeida
Director of
CTU Los Angeles
Succeeded by:
Bill Buchanan