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Shirley and Pierce Art of Discourse

  
Shirley Season Five
  Shirley and Pierce  
Hologram Pierce

  Shirley Bennett : Yvette Nicole Brown  Friends   Antagonists     Pierce Hawthorne: Chevy Chase  
  Status:Friends  -  First appearance: "Pilot"


Pairing biography[]

“
They don't even realize how much they need us!
”
Shirley to Pierce, "The Art of Discourse".

Pierce and Shirley
Shirley Bennett and Pierce Hawthorne
portrayed by Yvette Nicole Brown and Chevy Chase.
Shirley Bennett had a strained relationship with Pierce Hawthorne from the moment they both joined the study group. His initial attraction to her followed by his elitist attitude and boorish behavior was a constant source of irritation to her. Throughout their time at school, Shirley did her best to put up with his racist and bigoted comments understanding that it was based mostly on ignorance and not hate. In spite of the rocky start to their relationship the two eventually became business partners and were co-owners of a sandwich shop on campus. When Pierce died, Shirley mourned his passing along with the rest of their study group. At a reading of his will, Pierce left a message for Shirley telling her how much respect he always had for her. Their first appearance together was in the Season One episode "Pilot". They are portrayed by Yvette Nicole Brown and Chevy Chase.


Pairing history[]

Season One[]


You are pathological and you will never change.


Huh! That isn't that the pot calling the kettle bl...the kettle...kettle...okay...

–Shirley and Pierce, "The Art of Discourse".

School year synopsis

Pierce and Shirley were both invited to attend a Spanish study group meeting by Abed Nadir. Earlier in class Pierce had made unwanted advances on Shirley and continued to do so at the study session. Pierce seemed completely unaware of his actions despite Troy Barnes and Shirley herself pointing this out to him. Although Pierce's crush on Shirley eventually subsided, their relationship remained strained due to his insensitive behavior. It reached a boiling point when Pierce went too far with a joke and greatly embarrassed Shirley in front of the study group. A clueless Pierce was unaware of how upset Shirley was and was angry at her for ruining his joke. Feeling this time she couldn't forgive him, Shirley had Pierce kicked out of the study group. However, she soon left the group when they tried to trick her into letting Pierce come back. Ultimately, Pierce and Shirley ended up reaching an accord after finding some common ground in how they were mistreated by their friends. With this new truce in effect they helped Jeff and Britta defeat some high schoolers in an impromptu taunting competition.


2009 - 2010 semester

"Pilot": Pierce continually makes sexual advances on Shirley which is stopped by Jeff and commented on by Troy. He doesn’t seem to understand what he is doing is inappropriate and lashes back at those that criticize him.

"Introduction to Film": Pierce thinks Shirley is Troy’s mother. After Shirley really “seizes the day” and talks about her marriage, Pierce tells her his was “moved” by certain personal comments she made.

"Social Psychology": Shirley makes fun of Pierce bringing his mail to work and that his “earnoculars” make him look like “Inspector Gadget”. Shirley gives Vaughn’s poem to Pierce to read.

"Football, Feminism and You": When Pierce says there’s only one black hole worth studying, Shirley gives him a mean look expecting him to say something inappropriate. When he rattles off details of a galactic black hole, Shirley is mildly surprised.

"Introduction to Statistics": When Shirley indicates she’s taken off her wedding ring and is embracing being single, Pierce leers and says “message received”.

"Debate 109": While watching the final rounds of the debate, Pierce thinks he says “cross-burner” instead of “barn-burner” to Shirley.

"Environmental Science": Pierce gives Shirley presentation advice including wearing a dark top to hide sweat stains, eliminating filler words and using her hands to “hand them (the audience) a sandwich”. Surprisingly, Shirley remembers the latter when faltering in her presentation (and seeing Pierce eating a sandwich) and it starts her on the way to getting an “A” on it. She credits Pierce for his help.

"The Politics of Human Sexuality": In the study room, Shirley makes fun of Pierce’s call girl girlfriend.

"Comparative Religion"”: Pierce tells Shirley that he told Jeff to not fight while wearing boxing practice mitts. After the fight with Mike Chilada, Pierce plays keyboard while Shirley sings a modified version of “Silent Night”.

"Interpretive Dance": During Britta’s dance recital, Shirley continuously shushes Pierce when he makes comments.

"Romantic Expressionism": Pierce tries to exclude Shirley from watching a video in Abed’s room. Before the movie, he puts down Shirley indicating that they might have to wait while Shirley serves drinks. Later, when Pierce has prepared jokes for “Kickpuncher 2” but the rest want to watch “Runaway” it’s Shirley who relents. When the group realizes Pierce prepared jokes, he delivers a speech which Shirley says is deep and total B.S. When the study group is around the table and talk about possible relationships among them comes up, Shirley asks if anyone “gets specific” about her. Pierce says to check her email but she has marked him as spam. Pierce starts the suggestive glances around the table by looking at Shirley.

"Beginner Pottery": Pierce convinces Shirley to join the sailing class in the parking lot. When the jib hits Pierce, he tells Shirley she really screwed the pooch. Later, Pierce is hit overboard and Shirley orders the crew to abandon him. When Pierce comes back in a rowboat with wheels, Shirley orders the boat to be physically moved to save Pierce.

"The Art of Discourse": Pierce pants Shirley resulting in him being expelled from the group. He bungles a forced apology by mistaking another black woman for Shirley. Later, Pierce honks his car horn at Shirley. In the library Pierce makes up with Shirley by complementing her accomplishments as a woman and a mother. Pierce and Shirley pants two the high-schoolers that are engaging in a “duh war” with Jeff and Britta, allowing them to win. During the food fight, Pierce hits Shirley in the back with an orange and a caption appears beneath them indicating that they never married.

"Pascal's Triangle Revisited": When Annie and Vaughn are saying goodbye, Pierce mentions that none of them wanted Annie in the group. Shirley scolds him saying “Pierce”! Pierce counters with a great line “I say things others won’t, that has value”.

Season Two[]


I'm stuck in this...the chair broke I mean, I can't get...could you please help me? Pretty please? Thank you, Shirley.


You're welcome jackass.

–Shirley and Pierce, "Mixology Certification".

School year synopsis

Pierce and Shirley have resolved many of the differences they had in their first year at Greendale. In the Fall semester, they are somewhat friendly and supportive of each other. Shirley helps comfort Pierce when they are trapped in the The Eleven Herbs & Space Experience space simulator, is tolerant of his faith and helps Pierce when he becomes trapped in the entrance way of the bar "The Ballroom". However, their relationship becomes much more strained in the new year when Pierce reveals that Chang slept with Shirley on Halloween. Pierce becomes increasingly abrasive and down-right evil towards Shirley and others. During the Dungeons & Dragons game, when it appears Pierce's character has died, Shirley expresses pleasure that could be interpreted to be towards Pierce as well. His over-medication (due to recovering from broken legs) concerns Shirley which results in him overdosing and ending up in the hospital where he mentally tortures Shirley. Upon his recovery, Shirley is glad for his return to the Study Group and the relationship between them appears to have calmed for the rest of the year.


2010 - 2011 semester

"Accounting for Lawyers": At Jeff's old law firm, Shirley asks Pierce if they should notify Greendale that the Study Group won't be attending the "Pop n Lock" a-thon". Pierce doesn't think anyone will care.

"The Psychology of Letting Go": When Pierce is defending his Reformed Neo-Buddism faith in class, Shirley declares that it's all right to ask questions.

"Basic Rocket Science": As Pierce's claustrophobia starts to affect him after being locked in The Eleven Herbs & Space Experience, Shirley tries to comfort him. As Pierce reacts to the S.A.N.D.E.R.S. unit, she can't help him anymore and warns everyone he is getting worse. When he gets better, Shirley affirms it.

"Messianic Myths and Ancient Peoples": When the Dean and Shirley try to pass The Hipsters who are mocking them, Pierce doesn't join in the mocking.

"Cooperative Calligraphy": When Shirley tries to leave the study room to avoid having her bag searched for Annie's pen, Pierce takes her purse, blocks her way and says "Nice try Stephen Fry".

"Mixology Certification": Shirley asks if Pierce needs a ride to the bar which he refuses. Later at The Ballroom, Pierce gets traps in his wheelchair in the bar entrance. He asks Shirley for help which she provides.

"Asian Population Studies": Pierce threatens Shirley, demanding that she vote Rich into the Study Group. When she defies him, Pierce lets the group know that Chang slept with Shirley on Halloween, drastically changing her relationship with Chang and somewhat with her husband Andre Bennett.

"Celebrity Pharmacology 212": Pierce plays the character "Drugs" during the Greendale drug awareness stage show and won't leave the stage. Shirley says what he is doing isn't right, he dismisses her. He then starts to chase her around the stage.

"Advanced Dungeons & Dragons": Shirley shouts "Pierce!" a number of times during the D&D, trying to admonish him. When it appears Pierce has died in the game, Shirley exclaims her pleasure. Later, she expresses her concern for Pierce.

Early 21st Century Romanticism": Shirley expresses concern for Pierce's over medication.

"Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking": When Pierce lands in the hospital due to an overdose, Shirley expresses concern for Pierce and brings him items from the hospital gift shop. Pierce mentally tortures Shirley by giving her a CD which he says contains proof that the Study Group says mean things about her when she leaves the Study Room.

Intro to Political Science": Shirley says that the group is glad to have him back in the Study Group after he is discharged from the hospital.

"Custody Law and Eastern European Diplomacy": At Shirley and Andre's baby shower, Pierce makes an inappropriate comment about the African food.

"Critical Film Studies": Shirley is disgusted when Pierce complains that the "Pulp Fiction" costume he is wearing for Abed's surprise birthday party is hot and his balls are touching a zipper.

"Competitive Wine Tasting": Shirley isn't surprised when Pierce announces that he is marrying Wu Mei, a woman much younger than him.

"Paradigms of Human Memory": During a flashback where the Study Group is painting baby Ben Bennett's room, Shirley and Pierce are arguing.

Season Three[]


Excuse me for being the only married woman in a group full of horny toads who sit around all night just making googly eyes at each other!


Googly eyes? Shirley, it's okay. Nobody makes googly eyes at me either.

–Shirley and Pierce, "Remedial Chaos Theory".

School year synopsis

In their third year at Greendale, Pierce and Shirley are antagonist towards each other. Shirley calls Pierce crazy after he lies about giving money to Professor Marshall Kane to get into his Biology 101 class and reacts with disgust to him farting at the Model UN and claiming to have slept with Eartha Kitt at Troy and Abed's housewarming. Shirley is annoyed that Pierce ranked higher than her when selecting a partner for Todd and refuses to ride with him when helping Annie move. However, by 2012 they find common interests drawing them together. They became partners in launching Shirley's Sandwiches, collaborated in pitching it to the Dean and when the space in Greendale was given to Subway Sandwiches, partnered in trying to oust Subway. By the end of the year, Shirley's Sandwiches had been awarded the space at Greendale but Shirley and Pierce are initially unable to agree as to who will be the legal owner. After a "trial" presided over by the Dean, they agree to employ Jeff as their legal counsel and owner and, proudly open the shop together.


2011 - 2012 semester

"Biology 101": Shirley comments that Pierce was the second craziest person in the room after Jeff attacked the study table with a fire axe.

"Geography of Global Conflict": Shirley is the first to smell and complain about Pierce's fart at the Model UN competition.

"Remedial Chaos Theory": Shirley's reacts with disgust every time Pierce mentions that he slept with Eartha Kitt. In Shirley's timeline (dice roll 4), Pierce comments that no one makes "googly eyes" at him or her which causes Shirley to begin crying and storm out. In the darkest timeline (dice roll 1), Pierce's blood sprays all over Shirley when he is shot in the leg. In the Darkest Timeline end tag, Shirley gives an Irish toast to Pierce's empty study room chair (as Pierce was supposed to have died).

"Competitive Ecology": As the Study Group tries to decide who should be Todd's partner, Shirley scolds Pierce for falling asleep. After Abed's pairs everyone up by popularity and it is revealed Shirley was the least popular, she can't believe the group hates her more than Pierce. He accuses her of trying to drive a wedge between him and the group.

"Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps": In Pierce's Halloween story where he is Magnum, Shirley plays one of his girls and asks him to come back to bed. When looking at the pysch test results, Jeff tells Shirley not to "Pierce".

"Studies in Modern Movement": Shirley arrives at Annie's with Pierce and argues with him about parking in a handicapped space. She refuses to ride with Pierce to Troy and Abed's apartment.

"Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism": As Jeff and Shirley (as Tinkletown and Big Cheddar) walk away to the movies, Pierce wonders out loud when they became so close.

"Regional Holiday Music": In order to convince Shirley to join the Glee Club, Pierce brings a children's choir who sing a song specially targeted at Shirley.

"Urban Matrimony and the Sandwich Arts": Shirley and Pierce collaborate in a presentation to the Dean for a new sandwich shop in the space where Hot & Brown burned down. The Dean likes the pitch but when he presents it to the School Board they decide to give the space to Subway.

"Digital Exploration of Interior Design": Shirley and Pierce collaborate with Britta in bringing down the "corpohumanoid" Rick who represents Subway restaurant.

"Origins of Vampire Mythology": When Pierce makes fun of Britta's past boyfriend Blade, Shirley high-fives him. When he makes a rude comment, Shirley calls him disgusting.

"Virtual Systems Analysis": In the Dreamatorium, Abed imagines Shirley as a doctor taking care of "heart-wrenching Alzheimer's patient and Emmy-contender, Pierce Hawthorne".

"Introduction to Finality: Shirley and Pierce can't agree who will be the legal owner of Shirley's Sandwiches. After a "trial" presided over by the Dean, they agree Jeff will be the legal owner and open the shop together.

Season Four[]


Let's carve that jive turkey!


You got that out of your system?

–Shirley and Pierce, "Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations".

School year synopsis

In their fourth year at Greendale, Pierce and Shirley interacted far less than in the three previous years. Shirley continues to express concern for Pierce's actions and offers help numerous times including when Pierce locks himself in his panic room on Halloween. They do team up when asked to provide suggestions on an American version of Inspector Spacetime which Shirley wants to stay true to the original version while Pierce wants it made simple and sexist (which it becomes). Pierce attends Thanksgiving at Shirley's house and when she verbally checks him at the door he initially behaves around her relatives. However, when he tries to fake breaking a hip (to be able to leave) and instead invokes laughs, he continues entertaining them with racist material including white face over black face.


2012 - 2013 semester

"Paranormal Parentage": When the Study Group goes to Pierce's mansion to free him from his panic room, Shirley is the first one to express concern to Pierce and says they are happy to help. After the group realizes Pierce has been faking a haunted house, Shirley chastises him.

"Conventions of Space and Time": Pierce and Shirley team up to provide suggestions for an American version of "Inspector Spacetime". While Shirley appreciates the original show's complexities and suggests staying true to that, Pierce's suggestions are to make the show simple and sexist.

"Alternative History of the German Invasion": In the conflict with The Germans, Pierce mentions that Vietnam was his war and it was hell. When Shirley says that Pierce fled to Canada, he says it was still hell as Canadians call ham, "bacon". When Pierce tries to fix a fluorescent light and is being shocked, Shirley asks him to let go which he refuses.

"Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations": Pierce attends Thanksgiving at Shirley's house. Shirley serves him notice at the door but Pierce doesn't behave and asks Shirley's family inappropriate questions. To leave, he crashes into a table which evokes laughs. The attention changes his mind and he stays, driving Shirley's in-laws away into the garage.

Quotes[]

Season One[]

"Introduction to Statistics"

My husband's been gone for six months. So I think it's time for me to embrace being single.Shirley
Message received.Pierce
Characters
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