Donald Groves
Encyclopedia
Donald Groves is a fictional character on the HBO prison drama Oz
, played by Sean Whitesell
.
In the series, Groves is serving a life sentence for killing both of his parents. He then ate his mother and "was saving his father for Thanksgiving
." He is transferred to Em City at the request of Tim McManus
against the objections of Warden Glynn. Glynn eventually agrees, on the condition that McManus take Paul Markstrom
as well (Markstrom, unbeknownst to McManus, is an undercover cop.)
Although he is feared by most of the inmates in Oz, he seems to be quite amiable and develops friendships with Bob Rebadow
, Miguel Alvarez
, and Scott Ross
.
He is usually the comic relief throughout the series; he is almost always in trouble for sneaking into the morgue and going to the prison chapel so he can "eat God" by receiving the Eucharist
. Despite being young, white and introverted, qualities that invite abuse in prison, Groves is left alone due to the other prisoners' fear of his crime and lack of remorse. One night in his cell, he tells his cellmate Miguel Alvarez
that he was going to murder Glynn, but he ends up killing Officer Lawrence Smith
, who dies saving Glynn. He is then sentenced to death
and transferred to death row
. A gang of COs led by Eddie Hunt
, angered about Smith's death, take it out on the other inmates by randomly attacking them. This results in several officers being temporarily suspended at McManus' request.
Groves says that his attempt on Glynn's life wasn't personal, but something that needed to be done on behalf of the prisoners. He chooses to be executed by a firing squad. While Groves is on death row, he is visited by Smith's mother, who tells Groves that she forgives him for killing her son, which moves Groves to tears. Before his execution, Groves asks Father Ray Mukada
to record his last words for Smith's mother, but nobody could make out his last words and he dies before Mukada can find out what he said.
Oz (TV series)
Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...
, played by Sean Whitesell
Sean Whitesell
Sean Whitesell is an American film and television actor, who is also a television writer and producer. He studied acting at the University of California in San Diego, where he received an MFA in acting...
.
Character overview
Prisoner 97G414. Convicted July 3, 1997 - Two counts of Murder in the first degree. Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole. Convicted later August 21, 1997 - One count of Murder in the first degree in connection with death of corrections officer Lawrence Smith. Sentence: Death.In the series, Groves is serving a life sentence for killing both of his parents. He then ate his mother and "was saving his father for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
." He is transferred to Em City at the request of Tim McManus
Tim McManus
Tim McManus is a fictional character on HBO's prison drama Oz, played by Terry Kinney.-Character overview:McManus, the idealistic manager of Emerald City, is unlike the rest of the staff members at Oz as he has never been a CO, has a college education, and generally believes in the inmates as...
against the objections of Warden Glynn. Glynn eventually agrees, on the condition that McManus take Paul Markstrom
Paul Markstrom
Paul Markstrom, played by O.L. Duke, is a fictional character on the HBO series Oz.-Character overview:Paul Markstrom is an undercover police detective sent to Oz in order to investigate the drug trade within its walls. He is introduced as Warden Leo Glynn's cousin as his cover. He joins the...
as well (Markstrom, unbeknownst to McManus, is an undercover cop.)
Although he is feared by most of the inmates in Oz, he seems to be quite amiable and develops friendships with Bob Rebadow
Bob Rebadow
Robert 'Bob' Rebadow is a fictional character from the television series Oz, a drama series on HBO that portrays a maximum security prison and follows the lives of the inmates in the prison. He is portrayed by George Morfogen.-Character overview:...
, Miguel Alvarez
Miguel Alvarez
Miguel Alvarez is a fictional character played by American actor Kirk Acevedo on the television show Oz. He is the main Latino inmate in the series. He is a gang member of El Norte and of Cuban descent.-Character overview:...
, and Scott Ross
Scott Ross
Scott Ross was a United States-born harpsichordist who lived in France for many years. His recordings include the first integral edition by a single performer of the 555 harpsichord sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti....
.
Season 1
When Groves first arrives in Em City, he is sponsored by Bob Rebadow and licks Rebadow's hand.He is usually the comic relief throughout the series; he is almost always in trouble for sneaking into the morgue and going to the prison chapel so he can "eat God" by receiving the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
. Despite being young, white and introverted, qualities that invite abuse in prison, Groves is left alone due to the other prisoners' fear of his crime and lack of remorse. One night in his cell, he tells his cellmate Miguel Alvarez
Miguel Alvarez
Miguel Alvarez is a fictional character played by American actor Kirk Acevedo on the television show Oz. He is the main Latino inmate in the series. He is a gang member of El Norte and of Cuban descent.-Character overview:...
that he was going to murder Glynn, but he ends up killing Officer Lawrence Smith
Lawrence Smith (Oz)
Lawrence Smith is an African American correctional officer on the HBO drama Oz, played by Curtis McClarin.-Character overview:He appears in only one episode in season 1 where he dies defending Warden Leo Glynn from inmate Donald Groves. Groves attempted to kill Glynn as he wanted to appease Muslim...
, who dies saving Glynn. He is then sentenced to death
Death Sentence
Death Sentence is a short story by the American science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov. It was first published in the November 1943 issue of Astounding Science Fiction and reprinted in the 1972 collection The Early Asimov.-Plot summary:...
and transferred to death row
Death row
Death row signifies the place, often a section of a prison, that houses individuals awaiting execution. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting execution , even in places where no special facility or separate unit for condemned inmates exists.After individuals are found...
. A gang of COs led by Eddie Hunt
Eddie Hunt
Eddie Hunt is a Correctional Officer on the HBO drama Oz, played by Murphy Guyer.-Character overview:He is one of the COs active in Emerald City in season 1 leading up to the riot...
, angered about Smith's death, take it out on the other inmates by randomly attacking them. This results in several officers being temporarily suspended at McManus' request.
Groves says that his attempt on Glynn's life wasn't personal, but something that needed to be done on behalf of the prisoners. He chooses to be executed by a firing squad. While Groves is on death row, he is visited by Smith's mother, who tells Groves that she forgives him for killing her son, which moves Groves to tears. Before his execution, Groves asks Father Ray Mukada
Father Ray Mukada
Father Ray Mukada is a character on the HBO television series Oz, played by B. D. Wong.right|thumb|B.D. Wong as Father Ray Mukada.-Character history:...
to record his last words for Smith's mother, but nobody could make out his last words and he dies before Mukada can find out what he said.