Theodore Groves

"Which ship should we follow?" "Signal the Dutchman to track down Sao Feng. We follow the Pearl."

- Theodore Groves and Cutler Beckett

Theodore Groves was a Lieutenant serving with the Royal Navy forces stationed at Port Royal, under the command of Commodore James Norrington. He later became an officer of the East India Trading Company after Lord Cutler Beckett took over Port Royal. He was also second-in-command, next to Beckett, aboard the HMS Endeavour.

Early Life
At some point in his life, Theodore Groves became part of the Royal Navy under the command of Lieutenant James Norrington and Governor Weatherby Swann. Later, he became part of the troops located in Port Royal, which were in command of James Norrington when he was promoted Lieutenant.

Navy officer
"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

It was Lieutenant Theodore Groves who alerted Commodore Norrington to Jack Sparrow's attempt to commandeer the HMS Dauntless from the Port Royal harbor during Will Turner's quest to rescue Elizabeth Swann. Groves accompained Norrington as he and his marines boarded the Dauntless, only to watch on helplessly as Sparrow and Turner jumped ship and fled in the HMS Interceptor. This daring maneuver impressed Groves, who voiced his admiration of Sparrow. Norrington, however, did not share the sentiment.

Groves later fought against Hector Barbossa's undead pirates aboard the Dauntless at Isla de Muerta. He survived the battle, and remained in service with the Royal Navy.

Lieutenant
"How soon can we have the ship ready to pursue?" [the Endeavour's mast crashes on deck] "Do you think he plans it all out, or just makes it up as he goes along?"

- Lord Cutler Beckett and Theodore Groves after the Skirmish off of Kraken Island.



After Lord Cutler Beckett took control of Port Royal, Groves later became an officer for the East India Trading Company. He was stationed as a lieutenant aboard the HMS Endeavour as of Jack Sparrow's rescue from Davy Jones' Locker. He once again commented on Sparrow's skill and good fortune, after the pirate escaped the Endeavour to rejoin his crew, to where the Endeavour wouldn't be able to pursue. Groves remained onboard when they found Shipwreck Cove and during the battle at Calypso's maelstrom. Later in the battle, the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman turned to attack the Endeavour. When Lord Beckett failed to respond to the attack of the Pearl and the Dutchman, Groves gave the order to abandon ship. Unlike Beckett, Groves and his men escaped the Endeavour before its destruction. "All hands! Abandon ship!"

- Theodore Groves before he jumped overboard the Endeavour

Return to the Navy
"Are we not King's men?"

- Hector Barbossa

After the War Against Piracy, Theodore Groves was transferred back to the British Royal Navy, where he was at some point promoted to Lieutenant Commander. A few years after the Battle of Calypso's maelstrom, Groves was stationed aboard the HMS Providence, a ship of the Royal Navy which was docked in London. To his surprise, he discovered that the ship is captained by none other than Hector Barbossa, former pirate captain of the Black Pearl, who has become a privateer in the service of England and a trusted advisor on the Court of King George II. By the King's orders, the HMS Providence was sent to find the legendary Fountain of Youth.

Search for the Fountain of Youth
"Sir. The men..." "They be dead already." "They don't sound dead." "That so? I hear nothing but...segulls. Nesting. What is it you hear, Mister Groves?" "Seagulls. Nesting. Nothing more."

- Theodore Groves and Hector Barbossa

A few days into the journey, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the Providence encountered the fleet of three Spanish galleons, commanded by the Spaniard. Though the crew of the Providence prepared for the battle, the Spanish ships passed without opening fire.

A few days later, the Providence arrived at Whitecap Bay, the mermaid nesting place. Groves went to shore with Barbossa, his officers, and the part of the crew. When the mermaids attacked the ship, Groves urged Barbossa to go help their crew mates, but Barbossa rejected the idea, and pulled the pistol at Groves' head, forcing him to stay on the beach.

Attack on the Spanish camp
"Hold here, Lieutenant Commander, wait for my signal."

- Hector Barbossa to Theodore Groves

The crew continued their search for the Fountain. Later, Jack Sparrow joined them, and together with Barbossa, attempted to steal the Chalices of Cartagena from the Spanish camp at the Palm Tree Grove. By Barbossa's orders, the crew had to wait for them, and though they were both captured, Jack managed to escape by his own means, and Barbossa was liberated by Groves, who decided to violate the orders to save his captain. In the end, they managed to accomplish their goal, because Jack managed to steal the Chalices.

Battle at the Fountain
"This land is hereby forever claimed from the glorious name of His Majesty, King George&mdash;" [Groves is shot and killed by the Spaniard] "...Someone make note of that man's bravery."

- Theodore Groves and the Spaniard

Jack rejoined Blackbeard's men, and the crew of the Providence followed them from the distance. When the pirates found the Fountain, the British made a surprising entrance, with Barbossa proclaiming Blackbeard as his prisoner. But Blackbeard and his men started to fight their enemies, and a huge battle began. Groves valiantly fought against the pirates, but almost all of his men were soon dead.

But the Spanish suddenly arrived at the Fountain with a large force, outnumbering both the pirates and the British. Their leader, the Spaniard, revealed to his shocked enemies that his intention is to destroy the Fountain, not to use it for gaining immortality for his King. Desperate, Groves tried one last attempt to fulfill his mission, and holding the British flag in his hands, proclaimed the Fountain as the property of King George. But at the same moment, the Spaniard shot Groves, instantly killing him. After making an admiring comment about Groves' bravery, the Spaniard ordered his men to destroy the temple around the Fountain. It is unknown if Groves' body was carried away or was left there to rot.

Personality and traits
"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

Theodore Groves was a by the book naval officer, later lieutenant of the East India Trading Company and the British Royal Navy, committed to battling piracy. Although he was the upholder of the law, he has an admiration for the life of a pirate. This can be seen when he gives comments about Jack Sparrow's successful escapes from James Norrington and Cutler Beckett.

Having much experience, Theodore Groves had many skills as a lieutenant of the Royal Navy. He was good with a musket and a sword in battle.

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 several acts of bravery, like when he announced the Fountain as King George's property, despite the fact that he and his men were vastly outnumbered and outgunned. After shooting Groves, the Spaniard asked one of his men to make a note of the lieutenant commander's noble action.

Behind the scenes

 * Theodore Groves was portrayed by Greg Ellis in The Curse of the Black Pearl, At World's End and On Stranger Tides.

Appearances

 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides