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.
