Ever since I
was a child, at the beginnings of what would become a lifelong
affection for the characters and storyline of The World of Teddy
Ruxpin, Grubby The Octopede has always been my favorite
character. A good natured, humorous, hungry friend, Grubby was
always there for the people in his life, and was always honest,
almost to a fault. These are qualities I try to emulate
myself.
Grubby wasn't
perfect though- sometimes quick tempered, sometimes willing to be
distracted by a good meal, and not the most adventurous of
characters, also qualities which I sometimes see in myself.
Grubby and
Teddy met during childhood in Rillonia, as referenced in the
storyline "The Day Teddy Met Grubby" and remained friends from then
on. Although his eight feet hurt and his interests led him more
in the direction of a barbecue and a beach than an adventure to a
strange land, Grubby went along with Teddy to Grundo in search of
the Treasure.
Newton Gimmick,
the kindly old inventor the duo meets when they arrive in Grundo,
immediately took the two in and the 'trio' formed a close
partnership and friendship, although Gimmick and Grubby would become
each other's biggest critics. Although they never did quite see
eye-to-eye, they overcame petty personality differences and their
relationship taught that differences can make friendships as
rewarding as similarities.
Grubby's
lineage hails originally from Octagonia, a small island off the
coast of Rillonia, although Grubby and his family reside in
Rillonia. Most of Grubby's kin are just like him- good natured,
affable, with large hearts and apeteits.
Grubby is also
quite the romantic. In my favorite episode- #7- "Grubby's Romance",
he meets Karen the Caterpillar, a sweet natured bug who soon turns
into a butterfly. Although the relationship was doomed to failure
because of life's circumstances, Grubby and Karen vow never to
forget each other, and we can see by his tears that despite the end,
Grubby realized that love really is something special. Grubby's
heart not only has a place for the ladies, however, but also for the
fobs, anythings and other more meek characters in Grundo, whom he
helps on several occasions.
Grubby got
another romance later in the series- Xena- a fellow Octopede. That
relationship was never explored very deeply.
Grubby's large
and unique taste for cuisine often puzzles his friends. Grubby's
specialty- Root Stew- is a favorite of Octopedes alone. Teddy can
stomach a bite or two before he finds an opportunity to ditch the
rest of the bowl, while Gimmick and most of the other good guys just
try to avoid it entirely. Tweeg. meanwhile, called a duck a duck in
"Tweeg Gets the Tweezles" and told Grubby how horrible it was.
Despite the foul taste to everyone but Grubby, the sticky stew does
come in handy fighting Gutang warships and patching up holes in the
Airship's air bag.
Grubby is
about as good as someone can be without being a saint or an Illiop.
We could definitely use more like him- loyal, respectful, honest and
caring, yet not one to let anyone step on his feet - in the real
world.
