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"Sir. The men—"
"They be dead already."
"They don't sound dead."
"Oh, is that so? Well I hear nothing but...seagulls. Nesting. What is it that you hear, Mr. Groves?"
"...Seagulls. Nesting. Nothing more.
"
―Theodore Groves and Hector Barbossa[src]

Theodore Groves was an officer of the British Royal Navy and the East India Trading Company. Bewigged and resplendent in his uniforms, Groves acted under the Union Jack, owing his allegiance to King George II and Country. Over the years, Groves had shown a strong dedication to the law and true loyalty to his crew members, no matter what disaster occurred.

With the forces stationed at Port Royal, Groves served as an officer among the Royal Marines under the command of Commodore James Norrington. Officer Groves participated in a search party for Elizabeth Swann, the daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann, which was delayed after Captain Jack Sparrow took the HMS Dauntless in order to commandeer the HMS Interceptor, with the help of the blacksmith apprentice Will Turner. From his spot beside the commodore, the officer watched in admiration as Sparrow and the Interceptor faded into the distance. Over a year later, Groves was promoted to lieutenant and served aboard the HMS Endeavour, the flagship to Lord Cutler Beckett of the East India Trading Company. Lieutenant Groves accompanied Beckett's armada in their war to wipe out piracy from the world. After the titanic battle between the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman, Groves gave the order to abandon ship when Beckett couldn't give an order while the two ships turned upon the Endeavour and fired.

Several years later, Groves returned to serve His Majesty's Navy alongside Lieutenant Gillette, most notably during the quest for the Fountain of Youth. Both Groves and Gillette would serve under the command of former pirate Hector Barbossa, now a privateer in King George's court, aboard the HMS Providence to reach the Fountain before the Spanish. After journeying past Whitecap Bay and San Miguel, Barbossa's crew fought against Blackbeard's crew of pirates and zombies at the Fountain. It was during this battle that Lieutenant Commander Groves was shot by The Spaniard while holding the British flag.

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Not much is known of Theodore Groves' early life, but it is known that he became part of the British Royal Navy at a young age. By the 1720s, Groves was a Royal Navy officer, serving as one of the many Navy men stationed in Port Royal, the British colony in the Caribbean. Officer Groves would have served under Captain James Norrington.[1]

British Royal Navy[]

Royal Navy Officer[]

"Set topsails and clear up this mess."
"With the wind at quarter astern, we won't catch them."
"I don't need to catch them, just get them in range of the long nines.
"
James Norrington and Theodore Groves concerning catching Jack Sparrow and Will Turner[src]
CotBP Groves and Commodore Norrington The worst pirate

Officer Groves with Commodore Norrington.

Officer Groves continued serving in the British Royal Navy even after James Norrington was promoted from captain to the rank of commodore. Later, the Royal Navy suffered an attack from the Black Pearl, which carried a band of pirates led by Hector Barbossa. It was during this attack that Governor Weatherby Swann's daughter Elizabeth Swann, who was kidnapped by the pirates. On the day of Norrington's search for Elizabeth, Officer Groves assisted Commodore Norrington's men in prepping the HMS Interceptor for the voyage. As Groves alerted Norrington to Lieutenant Gillette's predicament of being put aboard a longboat, the notorious pirate Captain Jack Sparrow attempted to commandeer the HMS Dauntless from the Port Royal harbor with the help of the young blacksmith named Will Turner. who wanted to save Elizabeth himself. Groves was among the Royal Marines that accompanied Norrington as they sailed the Interceptor toward the Dauntless to board her.[1]

Groves

Groves after Sparrow and Turner successfully took the Interceptor.

However, once Commodore Norrington's men came aboard to capture the two thieves, they saw no one aboard and Norrington looked back just in time to see the Interceptor pulling away. Officer Groves walked beside Norrington as they were left to watch on as Sparrow and Turner jumped ship and make way aboard the Interceptor. On Norrington's command, Officer Groves ordered the commodore's crew to ready the cannons to fire at the Interceptor, though the marine didn't see reason to fire on their own ship. But before Norrington's men could fire the cannons, the steersman alerted to the commodore that Jack Sparrow disabled the rudder chain, thereby making the Dauntless unmovable. From his spot beside the commodore, the officer watched as the Interceptor faded into the distance. This daring maneuver impressed Officer Groves, who voiced his admiration of Jack Sparrow, to a point of stating, "That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen." Commodore Norrington, however, did not share the officer's sentiment, given his past experience with Sparrow.[1]

Groves's whereabouts during the search for Elizabeth Swann and the battle between Commodore Norrington's men and Captain Barbossa's undead pirates aboard the Dauntless at Isla de Muerta are unknown. It is known that Groves survived and remained in service as a loyal officer of the Royal Navy.

East India Trading Company[]

Lieutenant[]

"Which ship should we follow?"
"Signal the
Dutchman to track down Sao Feng. We follow the Pearl. How soon can we have the ship ready to pursue?"
[the
Endeavour's mainmast crashes on deck]
"Do you think he plans it all out, or just makes it up as he goes along?
"
―Theodore Groves and Cutler Beckett[src]
Groves and Beckett

Groves with Lord Beckett aboard the Endeavour.

Some months after James Norrington resigned his commission in the Royal Navy, Lord Cutler Beckett of the East India Trading Company arrived to the Caribbean and took control of the town of Port Royal. At some point during Beckett's control, Groves switched allegiances to serve as an officer of the Company, in which Groves was promoted as one of Beckett's lieutenants. After Beckett gained control of Davy Jones' ship, the Flying Dutchman, Lieutenant Groves would be stationed aboard Beckett's flagship, the HMS Endeavour, around the time a venture to rescue Jack Sparrow in Davy Jones' Locker was underway. With the help of Sao Feng's crew of the Empress, Beckett's crew of the Endeavour was able to capture the Black Pearl, with Sparrow meeting Beckett in his cabin, until Feng was betrayed by Beckett and switched sides again. During the attack from the Pearl, Jack Sparrow damaged the Endeavor as he made good his escape, returned to his ship and rejoined his crew.[5]

From his spot beside Lord Beckett, watching both ships escape, Lieutenant Groves asked which ship the Endeavour should follow. Beckett ordered Groves to signal the Dutchman to track down the Empress while they follow the Black Pearl, then asked how soon the Endeavour could be ready for pursuit. As if in answer, the ship's mainmast cracked and then snapped in two, crashing down, thereby making the Endeavour unable to be ready to sail again for some time. Groves gawked at the damage and then stared after the Pearl, the officer once again commenting about Sparrow's skill and good fortune in open admiration. "Do you think he plans it all out, or just makes it up as he goes along?" Beckett glared at Groves, who then left him to see to the damaged Endeavor as the Black Pearl faded into the distance, sailing away on the horizon.[5]

War Against Piracy[]

Groves Abandon Ship AWE

Lieutenant Groves giving the order to abandon ship.

"Orders?! Orders, sir?!"
―Theodore Groves to Cutler Beckett[src]

As Beckett rallied an armada to fight the Brethren Court with, Groves remained onboard the Endeavour as Beckett's second-in-command lieutenant. Groves remained with Beckett when the armada found Shipwreck Cove and during the battle between the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman around Calypso's maelstrom. After the Pearl emerged victorious, Groves looked at the ship with his spyglass, wondering what the pirates were waiting for before Beckett had the Endeavour prepare for attack. However, until the Dutchman reappeared and, joining with the Pearl, turned to attack the Endeavour at a full broadside. Standing next to Beckett, Groves stared out and saw their doom before nervously asking Beckett for orders. When Lord Beckett failed to respond to the attack from the Pearl and the Dutchman, Groves gave the order to abandon ship. Unlike Beckett, Groves and the other crewmen raced for the rail of the Endeavour before its destruction.[5]

"All hands! Abandon ship!"
―Theodore Groves before jumping overboard the Endeavour[src]

Return to His Majesty's Navy[]

Lieutenant Commander[]

"Orders, sir!"
"I'll have my navigator to the helm.
"
―Theodore Groves and Hector Barbossa[src]
Barbossa and groves

Groves with Hector Barbossa at the Tower of London.

After the defeat of Beckett's Armada, Theodore Groves went to London, where he would work closer with His Majesty King George II as he returned to a life in the British Royal Navy. At some point in the next few years, Groves was promoted to lieutenant commander and stationed aboard the HMS Providence, the pride of the King's fleet. Groves would serve under the command of Hector Barbossa, former pirate captain of the Black Pearl who had become a privateer and trusted advisor of King George's Court. After Jack Sparrow escaped from St. James's Palace, the Providence was sent sent to find the legendary Fountain of Youth before the Spanish. Groves was present when Barbossa interrogated Jack Sparrow's comrade, Joshamee Gibbs. When the pirate refused to cooperate, Groves and Gillette tied a noose to prepare Gibbs' hanging. Gibbs then revealed to be in possession of a map to the Fountain of Youth. Before any exchange could be made, Gibbs burned the map, ultimately forcing Barbossa to bring him aboard the Providence as Gibbs memorized every route in the map that led to the Fountain. And so Groves accompanied Barbossa's crew aboard the Providence at dawn.[2]

Race to the Fountain of Youth[]

"Captain. Sir. I am unhappy to report rumors, sir, among the crew, as to our destination."
"Shut your trap and make way. [Groves doesn't move] That's the way of it, then?"
"No disrespect, sir."
"What do the men fear? Say it. Speak the words."
"Whitecap Bay.
"
―Theodore Groves and Hector Barbossa[src]
BarbossaGroveslookingatgalleons

Groves with Barbossa aboard the HMS Providence.

Several days into the voyage, Groves had Gibbs brought to the helm, by Barbossa's orders, so he could provide a heading. Gibbs told Barbossa that they were going in the right direction, as he saw three Spanish galleons, commanded by The Spaniard. Barbossa, Groves and Gillette ordered the crew to their battle stations. Groves asked Barbossa for orders as the ships came closer. Though the crew of the Providence prepared for battle, the Spanish ships simply passed without opening fire. Knowing that they've fallen behind, Barbossa and Groves ordered the crew to make more sail.[2]

Hmsprovcrewandbarbossa

Groves reporting to Barbossa aboard the Providence.

Later, as the crew of the Providence became wary of their destination, it was Groves who confronted Barbossa about the rumors. The privateer revealed that they were heading for Whitecap Bay, home to deadly mermaids. As the crew were immediately stroked with fear, Groves attempted to calm the men down, though one of the crewmen raced for the railing and jumped overboard. Barbossa was ultimately able to inspire confidence into the other crewmen and ordered full sail to Whitecap Bay. After the Providence arrived to the Bay, Groves went to shore with Barbossa, Gillette, Gibbs, and a handful of the crew.[2]

Grovestheydontsounddead

Groves threatened by Barbossa at Whitecap Bay.

While ashore, they examined the aftermath of a skirmish that had recently occurred, particularly a deceased mermaid. Groves suggested to Barbossa that they must move hastily before being interrupted by the sounds of an assault on the Providence by the feared creatures. Groves, driven to action by the distant battle, urged Barbossa to return to the ship and aid the men under his command. The privateer, however, pulled his pistol and nonchalantly asked Groves again what he believed he was hearing. Groves begrudgingly accepted Barbossa's instructions and took notice along with Gibbs when the Providence slipped beneath the stirring sea. With reluctance, Groves and Gibbs led the few remaining crewmen of one of the Royal Navy's best ships on their next heading.[2]

Infiltration of the Spanish camp[]

"Hold here, Lieutenant Commander. Wait for my signal."
Hector Barbossa to Theodore Groves[src]
HBgrabbingfrog

Groves with Barbossa in dark jungles.

The Providence crew continued on as they made their way through thick jungle, with Barbossa collecting small poisonous dart frogs along the way. Groves would assist Barbossa in his collecting by carrying the jar full of Barbossa's frog collection. Later, after Barbossa collected one more frog, Barbossa left the crew as he journeyed ahead onto Ponce de León's legendary ship, the Santiago. Later, Barbossa would return from the Santiago with pirate Jack Sparrow, who would join Barbossa's crew in their attempt to infiltrate the Spanish camp and retrieve the two silver Chalices of Cartagena.[2]

OSTGrovessavesBarbossainPalmTree

Groves saving Barbossa in Palm Tree Grove.

By Barbossa's orders to Groves, the crew had to wait for the signal while he and Jack continued on infiltrating the Spanish camp. Though they were both captured, Jack managed to escape by his own means and slingshotted himself from two palm trees. While Jack was distracting Spanish soldiers, Groves came to Barbossa's aide, believing that Jack's escape was the signal. He freed his captain of his bonds and from the palm tree that he was tied on. Groves, while carrying Jack's effects, then ran with Barbossa to the other crewmen in haste. The crew did manage to accomplish their goal, as Jack was able to steal the Chalices. While Jack rejoined with Blackbeard and his pirate crew, Barbossa and Groves along with the other Providence crewmen followed them from a distance.[2]

Battle at the Fountain[]

"This land is hereby forever claimed in the glorious name of His Majesty, King George—"
[Groves is shot and killed by the Spaniard]
"...Someone make a note of that man's bravery.
"
―Theodore Groves and The Spaniard[src]
BarbossaTwistedRightLeg

Groves with Barbossa at the Fountain of Youth.

When the pirates found the Fountain of Youth, the crew made a surprising entrance, with Barbossa proclaiming Blackbeard as his prisoner. But Blackbeard didn't want to go down without a fight, so he and Barbossa ordered both their crews to fight. After a brief interruption from Jack Sparrow, who questioned the crews fighting each other when the quarrel was between Barbossa and Blackbeard, the battle inevitably ensued. Groves fought valiantly against the pirates, but almost all of his fellow crewmen, including Gillette, were soon dead. Later in the battle, The Spaniard and his soldiers suddenly arrived at the Fountain with a large force, outnumbering both the pirates and the British. Trying one last attempt to fulfill the crew's mission, Groves ran up to the Fountain, held the British flag in his hands and proclaimed the Fountain as the property of King George. But at the same moment, The Spaniard shot Groves, instantly killing him.[2]

Grovesshot

Theodore Groves' dead body.

After asking one of his officers to make a note about Groves' bravery, The Spaniard revealed their true intention: rather than use it for gaining eternal life for their King, the Spanish came to destroy the Fountain. The Spaniard smashed the Chalices and ordered his men to destroy the Fountain. While The Spaniard confronted Blackbeard during the destruction of the Fountain, Groves' body was carried away by two British marines.[2]

Personality and traits[]

Groves AtWorldsEnd

Theodore Groves

"That's got to be the best pirate I've ever seen."
"So it would seem.
"
―Theodore Groves and James Norrington on Captain Jack Sparrow[src]

Theodore Groves was a 'by the book' naval officer, holding the rank of lieutenant while serving in the British Royal Navy and the East India Trading Company, committed to battling piracy. At some point, Groves was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander and served as first officer onboard the HMS Providence, under the command of privateer, Hector Barbossa. During his career, Groves became one of the finest officers of the Royal Navy.[8]

Although he was the upholder of the law, Theodore Groves had an admiration for the life of a pirate.[9][10] This can be seen when he gave comments about Jack Sparrow's successful escapes from James Norrington and Cutler Beckett. Though he had an interest in a pirate's life, he remained in service of the King's Royal Navy and the East India Company.

"Steady! Steady, men! Find your courage! Or be ready to purpose your fear!"
―Theodore Groves to crew of the Providence[src]

Groves also displayed remarkable courage and care for his men. When it was necessary, he was able to give the order to abandon ship when the Endeavour was being destroyed. He almost went against orders from his own captain and protested against the idea of leaving the crew of the HMS Providence to die at the hands of mermaids. Groves has also shown acts of bravery, like when he announced the Fountain as King George's property, despite the fact that he and his surviving men were vastly outnumbered and outgunned. After shooting Groves, The Spaniard asked one of his men to make a note of Groves' noble action.[2]

Equipment and skills[]

"Hands, come about! Run out the guns! We are to fire on our own ship, sir?"
"I'd rather see her at the bottom of the ocean than in the hands of a pirate.
"
―Theodore Groves and James Norrington[src]

Having much experience, Theodore Groves had many skills as a lieutenant and lieutenant commander of the Royal Navy. He was excellent with a musket and a sword in battle as he was able hold out and survive fighting Blackbeard's pirates during the battle of the Fountain of Youth. It was only after the skirmish when Groves perished, shot down by The Spaniard.[2] In addition, Groves made use of a spyglass during his time in the East India Trading Company[5] and the quest for the Fountain of Youth.[2]

Behind the scenes[]

"I remember I saw a script and I think it was an early draft of the script, but I met a very early demise at the hands of, I think it was a mermaid, maybe attacking our ship. It went down and I got dragged deep into the water and then just appeared on the beach. Just when you thought Groves was fine, the rope that was tied around my leg snagged and dragged me into the ocean. I thought it's a really cool way, if Groves is going to go, that's a really cool way to do it. It was just that scene really, that scene and maybe one of the earlier scenes, and then after a rewrite, I think the notion was to keep Groves with Barbossa. The King had maybe said to Groves and Gillette, 'Keep an eye on him - even though he's working for me, we don't trust him. You go with him the whole way.' That's really what it was, Groves and Gillette traveling with Barbossa to keep an eye him for the king."
Greg Ellis[src]
  • There was much confusion among fans as to whether or not Groves really died during the battle for the Fountain of Youth, given that he was shot in the stomach as well as being seen carried off by British soldiers. However, it was confirmed by director Rob Marshall in the On Stranger Tides audio commentary that Groves, along with Gillette, indeed died.[23] However, Greg Ellis also mentioned a possibility that Groves may have survived the battle.[24]
  • In the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Ultimate Sticker Book, Groves was mistakenly identified as Gillette and vice versa.[25]
  • In the LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean sets, Groves appeared as an officer of the Royal Guard rather than the Royal Navy, wearing a red uniform instead of blue. It is unknown if this was a mistake or false labelling.[26]
  • In LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game, Lieutenant Groves is featured as an unlockable character and also appears in a cutscene in the "Port Royal" level. Though he was referred to as a Lieutenant, he wore the uniform of an Ensign as he did in The Curse of the Black Pearl.[27]

Appearances[]

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Sources[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
  3. Estimation based on Greg Ellis' age during the filming of The Curse of the Black Pearl. Ellis was 35 during the filming and the timeline established in On Stranger Tides (which takes place in 1750) and Dead Men Tell No Tales (which takes place in 1751) sets the events of The Curse of the Black Pearl around 1728.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (junior novelization)
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
  6. 6.0 6.1 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (junior novelization)
  7. He was credited as "Officer" in the ending credits to Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and At World's End.
  8. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Ultimate Sticker Book, p. 14
  9. Interview with Greg Ellis from Pirates of the Caribbean - Static Multimedia - Archived
  10. Exclusive Interview: Actor Greg Ellis sails into PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES - Assignment X
  11. 11.0 11.1 POTC3 Presskit
  12. 12.0 12.1 POTC4 Presskit
  13. KeepToTheCode - View topic - Lt. Groves, Page 8 - Archived
  14. The Hollywood Reporter news article
  15. 15.0 15.1 Wordplayer.com: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
  16. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: The Visual Guide, pp. 46-47: "Providence Crew"
  17. KeepToTheCode - View topic - Groves...and the EITC??, Page 1 - Archived
  18. Peter Mountain Photo
  19. 1 of 4 - Pirates Marathon! El Capitan Theatre Celebrates Pirates of the Caribbean 4 - dlfreak - YouTube
  20. Wordplayer.com: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
  21. @schweizercomics Chris Schweizer on Twitter
  22. IAR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Greg Ellis talks 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' and 'Star Trek 2' - Archived
  23. Rob Marshall: And that's the end of Groves after four movies. Greg had a dramatic end. And we saw Damian before he gets slashed in the back, we lost Gillette, too.
  24. Greg Ellis wonders if his "Pirates of the Caribbean" character will be returning for the fifth film in this series
  25. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Ultimate Sticker Book
  26. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean
  27. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game
vdeCrew of the HMS Dauntless
Captain: Unknown captain
HMS Dauntless
Lieutenant James NorringtonJoshamee Gibbs

Captain: Commodore James Norrington
HMS Dauntless
Lieutenant GilletteTheodore GrovesMullroyMurtoggSteersmanSailorSentry

[edit]


vdeCrew of the HMS Endeavour
Captain: Lord Cutler Beckett
HMS Endeavour
Endeavour OfficerLieutenant GreitzerLieutenant Theodore GrovesIan Mercer
MullroyMurtoggAdmiral James NorringtonWeatherby Swann
Captain: Lord Cutler Beckett
HMS Endeavour
Endeavour OfficerLieutenant GreitzerLieutenant Theodore Groves
[edit]
vdeCrew of the HMS Providence
Captain: Hector Barbossa
HMS Providence
Lieutenant Commander Theodore GrovesLieutenant GilletteJoshamee GibbsProvidence Sailor
[edit]
Featured articles
Individuals: Hector BarbossaCutler BeckettSao FengDavy JonesIan MercerPintelRagetti
BlackbeardTheodore GrovesHernán Cortés
[edit]
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