About Me
Michelle Shay Dessler.
Dessler obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of California, Davis, and began her career at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Computer Security Division, and DARPA's High Confidence Systems Working Group, before being hired by the Counter Terrorist Unit, Los Angeles branch as an Internet Protocol Manager.
She first appeared in the first episode of the second season where, from her position as internet protocol manager, she assisted colleagues Tony Almeida and Jack Bauer in preventing a nuclear bomb threat to the country. During the day, her casual flirting with Almeida became more serious as they helped each other through the trauma that they faced. After CTU's Special Agent in Charge George Mason sacrificed his life to fly the bomb to an isolated location before it detonated, Almeida became the new Special Agent in Charge.His thoughts on the case, however, were more closely aligned with those of Government officials who, unbeknownst to him, were involved in the conspiracy. Because of this, Dessler put her trust in Bauer and went against Almeida. As the threat was revealed, however, he realized that she had been correct and assisted them in stopping the conspiracy.
In the three years after this threat, Dessler and Almeida were married and - in the third season - she was an intelligence agent while he was the CTU Special Agent in Charge. After his near-fatal shooting, Dessler had to step up to lead CTU despite her evident stress. After Almeida recovered speedily - and when Division agent Ryan Chappelle was sent to CTU to overlook events - Dessler joined a field team with Gael Ortega to go to the Chandler Plaza Hotel where a terrorist was planning to release a fatal, and contagious, virus. Although no HAZMAT suits had arrived, Dessler - followed by the others in a show of loyalty - went inside to assist the hotel's security in containing the virus which was released. Most of the guests, staff and CTU personnel died over the following hours while Dessler was one of few who did survive. However the terrorist, Stephen Saunders, then kidnapped her in order to force Almeida to do his bidding which included helping Saunders escape while surrounded by CTU personnel. Dessler was stunned to learn what Almeida had done to save her.
In the time that followed, Almeida was released from prison - on the good testimony of Jack Bauer and outgoing President David Palmer - but his unemployment and situation saw his personality change, and a dependence on alcohol form. Dessler reluctantly decided to leave him and was temporarily posted to Seattle's CTU branch where she met Bill Buchanan, a high-ranking official, and they began a relationship. She was then posted back to Los Angeles, to Division where she became an Associate Special Agent in Charge.
In the fourth season, Almeida's help was called upon by Bauer to try and capture terrorist Habib Marwan whose plan involved blowing up a train, kidnapping and assassinating the Secretary of Defense, melting down all of the nuclear power plants in the country, assassinating President John Keeler by shooting down Air Force One, and controlling America's nuclear arsenal via part of the nuclear football. Almeida was granted provisional status to work at CTU during this time and, after Special Agent in Charge Erin Driscoll left for personal reasons, was briefly Acting Special Agent in Charge of CTU. Almeida was was more than a little surprised when Secretary of Defense James Heller called in Dessler to take over the position Almeida had temporarily held.
In the closing episodes of Day Four, Dessler and Almeida admitted that their feelings for each other had never died away. They agreed to walk away from CTU and start life anew. However, before they are able to finish their conversation, Almeida is re-assigned to the field and is captured. Michelle is then faced with trading Tony's life for the safe passage of an assassin, which she decides against. However, due to Jack Bauer's keen field investigation, Almeida is freed and he and Michelle are again united.
In the last episode of Season 4, Michelle aids Almeida, Chloe O'Brien, and President David Palmer in faking the death of Jack Bauer in order to save him from assassination. Both Tony and Michelle reluctantly part with Jack as he walks into the LA sunrise with a new identity and an encrypted cell phone.
In the first fifteen minutes of Season 5, Michelle decides to return to CTU to assist with the investigation surrounding President David Palmer's assassination. Tony pleads with her not to go without success. As Tony decides to follow her, Michelle is killed by a car bomb outside their home. As Tony finds his wife dead, the fuel tank in the car ignited critcally injuring Tony. Tony's condition is still unrevealed.
Michelle's death is a subject of some controversy among avid fans, as they consider it unlikely that such an integral character would be dispensed with in that sudden a manner. However, others would argue that an 'avid' fan understands such sudden developments are what makes the show so gripping. The deaths of characters such as Teri Bauer, Jamey Farrell, Paula Schaeffer, George Mason, Ryan Chappelle, and former President David Palmer are evidence of this.
It is assumed Tony and Michelle were targeted because of their knowledge of Jack's fabricated death, but another connection may possibly be revealed.
EXPERIENCE: CTU Acting Special Agent in Charge, Los Angeles Domestic Unit CTU - Associate Special Agent in Charge, Division CTU - Intelligence Agent, Los Angeles Domestic Unit CTU - Internet Protocol Manager, Los Angeles Domestic Unit DARPA - High Confidence Systems Working Group National Institute of Standards & Technology - Computer Security Division
Built IPSec architecture. Attacks scripts, computer vulnerabilities, intrusion detection, penetration testing, operational security, viruses. Proficiency in Cerberus and PlutoPlus.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science, Computer Science - University of California (Davis)
