Pierce Hawthorne
Jeffery Winger
At the surface, it can seem like a classic “older guy tries to bond with the cool younger guy” situation, where Pierce is constantly seeking approval or inclusion, especially from Jeff, who’s kind of the group’s unofficial leader. Jeff, on the other hand, often keeps Pierce at arm’s length — sometimes he’s annoyed by him, sometimes amused, and occasionally even pitying. But underneath all that, there’s a weird, reluctant almost mentorship or surrogate father-son vibe that pops up now and then. Pierce clearly envies Jeff’s charisma and confidence, while Jeff sometimes sees Pierce as a cautionary tale — like what he could become if he never grows up emotionally. That tension creates a mix of eye-rolls, jabs, and rare moments of weirdly sincere connection.
Britta Perry
Their relationship is mostly antagonistic — not in a super intense way, but more in the form of constant low-key sniping. Pierce is this old-school, tone-deaf rich guy who thinks he’s wise and edgy, while Britta is the idealistic, progressive activist type who wants to be taken seriously as a rebel. Naturally, they rub each other the wrong way a lot. Pierce often mocks Britta’s causes or tries to undermine her with cringey jokes, and Britta tends to see Pierce as this relic of everything wrong with the world. She doesn’t hesitate to call him out, and he doesn’t hesitate to poke at her insecurities. But beneath the insults and sarcasm, there’s sometimes a weird mutual acknowledgment — like they’re both kind of out of step with the rest of the group in their own ways. It’s not a friendship, exactly, but it’s definitely a dynamic that brings out some of the funniest and most chaotic moments between two wildly different worldviews.
Annie Edison
Pierce and Annie have a relationship that’s… let’s say complicated with a side of discomfort, but also has a few surprising turns. Annie is super driven, idealistic, and organized — kind of the opposite of Pierce, who’s impulsive, out of touch, and often inappropriate. A lot of their early dynamic revolves around that clash: Annie’s trying to be serious and responsible, while Pierce is… very much not. He can be weirdly condescending or say off-color things, often without realizing how uncomfortable he’s making people — and Annie definitely picks up on that. But to her credit, she doesn’t always just brush it off. She’ll stand up for herself or call him out, which gives their dynamic a bit of spark. That said, there are occasional glimpses where Pierce respects Annie’s determination, and Annie — whether she likes it or not — sometimes plays the “tolerant younger person” trying to manage the eccentric elder. It’s not warm or deep like some of her other relationships, but it’s nuanced in its own weird way.
Abed Nadir
Pierce doesn’t always get Abed. Abed’s pop culture lens and neurodivergent way of interacting with the world can fly right over Pierce’s head, especially since Pierce tends to live in his own outdated, egocentric bubble. He’ll sometimes dismiss or misunderstand Abed in ways that feel tone-deaf or awkward. But the interesting part is that Pierce, maybe more than some others, doesn’t always treat Abed with kid gloves — which can be both problematic and oddly refreshing. He kind of just sees Abed as another person to react to, which sometimes leads to unexpectedly honest or funny moments between them. On the flip side, Abed doesn’t seem particularly fazed by Pierce’s antics. He’s usually more observant than reactive, and he treats Pierce like a character in the ensemble — someone he analyzes rather than emotionally invests in. So overall, it’s not a relationship built on warmth or depth, but it’s got a unique rhythm: Pierce being inappropriate or oblivious, and Abed processing it all with his usual calm, detached logic. Not much growth between them, but definitely some memorable bits.
Troy Barnes
Pierce sees Troy as kind of the “cool kid,” someone he wants to be close to, maybe even be like, despite the huge generational gap. He often tries to bond with Troy through jokes, schemes, or attempts at mentorship (usually very misguided). It’s like he wants to be Troy’s fun uncle… or sometimes his weird older roommate. Troy, on the other hand, is usually polite to Pierce, sometimes entertained by him, sometimes just humoring him. There are moments where he genuinely enjoys Pierce’s silliness, especially early on when Troy’s still figuring himself out. But as Troy matures, you can feel him start to clock Pierce’s more problematic sides and keep a little more distance — though usually with a smile. Their relationship is often used for humor, but underneath it there’s this subtle thread of Pierce craving relevance and Troy balancing empathy with boundaries. It’s a dynamic that starts fun and light but gains texture as they both evolve.
Shirley Bennet
Shirley is a strong-willed, values-driven person with a big focus on faith, family, and doing what’s right. Pierce, meanwhile, is… Pierce — often offensive, inappropriate, and deeply unaware of how his words and actions land, especially with someone like Shirley, who holds firm to her beliefs. They clash a lot, usually because Pierce says something ignorant or crosses a line, and Shirley calls him out — sometimes with grace, sometimes with full-on frustration. But what’s interesting is that, despite all the friction, there are occasional moments where they find common ground. Pierce sometimes tries to be supportive (in his own bumbling way), and Shirley, underneath the judgment, can show compassion. It’s kind of a “tolerating each other with flashes of something deeper” vibe. Definitely not a close bond, but there’s an odd respect buried under the conflict. And sometimes their interactions are just pure comedy — especially when Shirley shuts him down with that classic Shirley sass.