Bernie "Bacon" Cowley is the Head Chef aboard the Nathan James.
Biography[]
Before the Red Flu outbreak, Bacon served as a chef at Camp David where he personally cooked and served food to the President of the United States. Bacon later left the post to serve at sea two months before the Nathan James left for the Arctic so he could advance in the Navy.
Events of The Last Ship[]
Season 1[]
Bacon is first seen helping empty the liquid out of the canned foods when the water filtration on the Nathan James is broken. Bacon is hanging out with Will Mason outside the ship at night when Mason asks why it hasn't got cooler. Bacon explains that it is warmer inside the ship and given the choice, he would sleep outside standing up if he had to. When they find land, Bacon is forced to remain on the ship to play chess with Quincy as part of a deal Quincy made with the senior staff in exchange for him helping Dr. Scott with her research. Bacon introduces himself and makes it clear he hates being forced to play chess with him, not wanting to be friends, and would rather be on the island since he hasn't stepped foot on land in six months. (“We'll Get There”)
Quincy is seen in the mess hall when Comm. Chandler explains the things they saw while out getting monkeys for Dr. Scott's research and announces that they are going home. While outside playing chess with Quincy, he asks Bacon about how long it will take and what they will do with him. Bacon replies it will probably take seven to ten days and Quincy will probably be thrown into a cell off the ship. Quincy questions this seeing as how he found the human gene and Bacon counters with the fact he tried to kill everyone on the ship with the virus. Quincy tries to defend his actions because he was desperate to save his family, but Bacon simply says he can't help him and if he could he wouldn't, so he should save his complaining and whining for the captain.
When the ship is stopped the next day, Quincy asks Bacon why and Bacon says so the officers can figure out where to make the vaccine. Quincy doubts this as the only facilities that would work are in North America, but Bacon theorizes they could be thinking about going to Brazil or Venezuela or Puerto Rico. Quincy explains those countries were devastated by the virus and Comm. couldn't possibly be thinking of south, suggesting something is wrong. When Bacon asks what, Quincy theorizes that Rachel's experiments are failing but Bacon points out they would using Quincy to help solve it if they were failing. Quincy says he isn't because Chandler is stubborn and won't admit he's wrong and brings up several of his past decisions in negative context. Bacon leaves with Quincy reminding him that the captain is hiding something from him.
When the ship is put on lockdown after Lt. Green falls ill, Bacon questions Master Chief Jeter on whether the vaccine is working of not. Bacon later finds Quincy in his room and tells him Cossetti saw Rachel dumping medical waste off the ship. Quincy tells Bacon that those had to be the monkeys after they died from the virus because Rachel's vaccines failed. When Bacon asks about the lockdown, Quincy suspects it was because many of them came in contact with sick people in Nicaragua and Chandler doesn't trust the tests. Bacon tells Quincy there are others who feel the senior staff aren't being honest and Quincy then suggests they should abandon ship because it isn't as safe as the captain claims. Bacon convinces fifteen fellow enlisted men to request to leave the ship and reports back to Quincy. Quincy insists that he be allowed to come with them since they can't survive without him and is confident they won't be held against their will.
Bacon is present when Chandler summons the crew onto the deck where he explains he kept them in the dark, why he did it and later lets them listen to Dr. Scott when she reveals her vaccine is failing but she isn't giving up. Chandler gives a speech where he promises to share all their information from now on and offers to let the enlisted men who want to leave go with food, water, and medical supplies. Bacon and the group decide to stay on the ship and reenlist into the US Navy, and Bacon tells Chandler everything Quincy has been telling him. As punishment Chandler confiscates Quincy's chess board and prevents him from having anymore contact with Bacon. (“Lockdown”)
Bacon stands on the deck and sees Lt. Green carrying Cossetti's body after he was KIA in an operation to rescue Comm. Chandler, Tex, and Quincy's family. (“Two Sailors Walk Into a Bar”)
Bacon waits in line to volunteer for Dr. Scott's human trial to test her vaccine but is ultimately spared from participating. When the patients start to get sick, Bacon visits Miller and tries to talk to him alongside Lt. Burk but Miller doesn't respond. (“Trials”)
After Dr. Scott's trial is over and the cure to the virus has been developed, Bacon is given an injection of the cure by Quincy. Bacon later listens as Comm. Slattery and Master Chief Jeter tell the crew their plan to mass produce the cure at Fort Dietrich and may get a cell signal so they can contact their families. The Nathan James docks at the Baltimore Harbor, Bacon heads to the flight deck on Comm. Slattery's orders alongside the rest of the crew and passengers, unaware he is being coerced into giving that order by Lt. Pete Norris. Bacon then sees a fleet of Maryland State Troopers arrive by speedboats and helicopters in preparation to take control of the ship. (“No Place Like Home”)
Season 2[]
Bacon is lead and held into the helo bay with the rest of the crew by Granderson's forces and Bacon overhears Garnett tell Barker that now is not the time to fight back. When the heat starts to rise, thanks to O'Connor tampering with the ship's propulsion, Bacon aids in causing a riot on the ship so they can be moved to the mess hall in exchange for fixing the ship's propulsion systems. When Granderson's state troopers realize Kelly and Ava are Quincy's family and attempt to take them, Bacon steps in front of Malone saying they aren't going anywhere. Bacon prepares to fight before Kelly volunteers to go if they leave Ava and Bacon is forced to sit back down. (“Unreal City”)
Bacon is seen stretching his legs and later sitting back down right before he reveals to Garnett and ask if it is time, revealing he stole a knife from the kitchen and cuts his restraints before passing it to her. After O'Connor, Cruz, and Miller take out the guards and supply them with guns from the armory, Bacon stays behind since he isn't a trained for that. (“Fight the Ship”)
Bacon is working out in the gym by punching a boxing bag while Tex holds it steady and takes a break when Dr. Scott walks in. Bacon asks how she is and she tells him he is amused by him working out. Bacon explains that he needs to get down to regulation weight, but she corrects him, saying she was talking about Tex, and Bacon smiles. (“It's Not a Rumor”)
Bacon continues working in the Nathan James mess hall, preparing some bread rolls, and cleaning the tables. (“Solace”)
While the Nathan James is at EMCON one, Bacon is seen waiting in the mess hall while they search for a hostile submarine and even catches a knife one of the kitchen staff accidentally pushes off a counter before he hits the ground. (“Achilles”)
While Dr. Scott is working in her lab, Bacon brings her some chicken and mushroom in a roux sauce, figuring she must be hungry. When Bacon mentions is was his signature meal he served to the President of the United States and his favorite, Bacon explains why he left to go to sea. Bacon mentions preparing roux is an art, especially since their aren't many ingredients on the ship nowadays and sugar needs to be balanced, which gives Dr. Scott a breakthrough on the powder version of the cure she is working on. Bacon is later seen in Dr. Scott's lab mixing the sugar to prepare for the aerosol version of the cure but is completely lost as they talk about the science. (“Long Day's Journey”)
While Master Chief Jeter shows President Jeffrey Michener around the ship, they stop by the mess hall and Bacon introduces himself to Michener and offers to cook him anything he wants. When Michener asks what he would want, Bacon recommends not using his diet of grilled vegetables and Michener doesn't know what to order and leaves, but does return to ask for a sandwich. (“Uneasy Lies the Head”)
Bacon joins the crew in grieving the death of their friends on the oil rig while listening to Master Chief Jeter's eulogy for the fallen. (“Valkyrie”)
Bacon cleans the mess hall while Comm. Slattery and Dr. Scott give a briefing on Kevin MacDowell the contagious cure. When they arrive in St. Louis, Bacon helps spread the contagious cure. Bacon celebrates in the Old Courthouse with everyone and raises a glass to honor the fallen who made everything they did happen. (“A More Perfect Union”)
Season 4[]
In between Season 3 and Season 4, Bacon is promoted to Culinary Specialist First Class and then to Chief Culinary Specialist.
When O'Connor comments to Bacon that the apple he is holding could be one of the last apples left, Bacon tells O'Connor the Red Rust hasn't hit apples yet and mentions six months ago they said the same thing about corn. (“In Medias Res”)
Due to the famine caused by the Red Rust, Bacon establishes a policy of no seconds while running the mess hall. (“The Pillars of Hercules”)
When the Nathan James picks up refugees on a trawler boat, Bacon helps distribute food to all of them. He overhears a boy named Tareq asking Sasha Cooper for more but she tells him she's sorry but they have limited food and she will bring some next time. Bacon approaches Tareq and hands him an apple and he thanks him for it. (“Allegiance”)
Bacon mourns with the rest of the crew when five crew members are killed by British Intelligence agents that stole the Elaeis Virilis seeds. (“Feast”)
Awards and Decorations[]
The following are the medals and service awards seen worn on Cowley's uniform in the show.
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