10 Characters From 24 You Totally Didn't Appreciate The First Time

10. Richard Walsh

In the show a mere 2 episodes, Richard Walsh encapsulates one of the only true on-screen examples of the type of person Jack Bauer aspires to be. During his very limited screen time his sense of morale compass is made glaringly apparent, as is his loyalty to his country and position within the government.

It is during his briefing with Jack that you are prompted by the writers to piece together much of the history between the 2 men. The respect held between the 2, coinciding with a clear mutual admiration for their service, offers a definitive glance into the trust they share. The significance of the narrative told during these opening 2 episodes, and the sizeable affect it has on Jack, can not be overlooked. Walsh's untimely death, along with the events that transpire, act as true catalysts for Jack's turn to drastic measures.

What makes Richard Walsh so pivotal to 24 is that despite his hugely limited screen time, the gravity of the position he holds within the show's narrative is undeniable. Though it is grossly misrepresented within the confines of the 24 episodes of season 1 and beyond, fans learn a great deal about Jack's triggering moment, and with it may have been witness to the exact instance that birthed the unhinged Jack Bauer we have now.