Karen & Gerald DeGroot
Please see Gerald DeGroot and Karen DeGroot for person specific articles
Karen and Gerald DeGroot were/are two doctoral candidates at the University of Michigan. Thanks to The Hanso Foundation they were able to start the DHARMA Initiative. We first learn about the DeGroots in the Swan Orientation Film in episode 3 of season 2 ("Orientation"). The whereabouts of this couple are unknown today but many theories have surfaced.
Facts
- De Groot or DeGroot is a very common Dutch surname. In the Netherlands, the name is commonly written with a space between 'De' and 'Groot' (when the full name is mentioned, as in 'Hugo de Groot', the article takes a lowercase letter); in Belgium they are written together and with two capitals. About one in a thousand Dutch people are named DeGroot.
- Meaning: 'the great' - like many languages, a lot of Dutch surnames are literal, i.e. 'De Boer' - the farmer; 'Van Houten' - from (the) woods.
- De Groot is the Dutch name of the extremely influential, if little read, 17th century natural lawyer Hugo Grotius. (Grotius is the latinized De Groot). Grotius is primarily known for his pioneering work on international law; in particular, he wrote a tome on the laws of war and peace which has shaped international relations and the laws of war for more than 300 years. His work stands at the beginning of the tradition to which John Locke was heir. This is obscure knowledge and I find it difficult to imagine that the show's writers knew this. Nevertheless...
Theories
- The DeGroots were the older man and woman who were onboard the ship which kidnapped Walt in Exodus: Parts 2 and 3, making Gerald Mr. Friendly and Karen the woman that sets the Raft on fire
- Doubtful considering Mr. Friendly's first name is Tom.
- The DeGroots are the bodies that were found in the cave, the so-called Adam and Eve.
- This is unlikely as the timeline does not match up. The DeGroots started their project years after the supposed death of Adam and Eve as indicated by their decay.
- Even though we know it was the DeGroots who started the DHARMA Initiative, it is possible that they were also the ones behind the Incident.
Additional Pictures from the Swan Orientation Film
 Karen DeGroot lecturing in what appears to be a class. |
 Gerald DeGroot presumably teaching a lab class. |
 Karen and Gerald in an outside gathering with students. |
Pictures from the Pearl Orientation Video
  Karen and Gerald watching a group of 12 people in DHARMA uniforms excercising. |
