- "I'll tell you where you've been. You've been helping those Star switchers, you creep! Like to be a goody, goody Star tug, would you?"
- — Zorran to Zebedee, High Winds
Zebedee is a conflicted member of the Z-Stacks. He is Captain Zero's second tug and one of Zorran's right hand tugs. Despite working for the Z-Stacks, there is little malice in him compared to his colleagues. He speaks with a Liverpudlian accent. He is usually seen working with Zak.
Biography
In High Tide, Zebedee and Zak are competing against Big Mac and Warrior for the contract to deliver steel.
While going through the Canal to get ahead of the Stars, Zebedee, Zak and Top Hat argue under the railway bridge about who would back up. Zebedee charges forward. The tall steel rig on his barge hits the bridge due to the high tide and causes it to collapse. Zak and a guilty Zebedee leave the scene to get some help and the steel contract goes to the Star Tugs for delivering it.
In High Winds, Zebedee is manipulated by a former friend of Captain Zero; Johnny Cuba. He brings the tramper into some abandoned docks and does various jobs for him. With Johnny hiding in Bigg City Port, Zebedee has to find a way to not get scuttled by either him or Captain Zero. This leads to him doing various good deeds for the Star Tugs, including saving them and the Princess Alice.
Johnny Cuba is eventually tracked down by Hercules and tries to escape. Zebedee finally stands up to him and traps him against the quayside. After Johnny Cuba’s arrest, things return to normal.
Personality
Zebedee’s personality resembles that of Shemp Howard, a member of The Three Stooges.
Zebedee is one of the more complex characters, an easy-going tug who winds up the Star Fleet for a reason or another—rude and vindictive on the outside, but on the inside there is much more to his personality than just being devious. Beneath his tough and sinister exterior is the only Z-Stack to have a conscience.
However, Zebedee states he’s okay with his position as a Z-Stack. After the Princess Alice docking, Ten Cents offers Zebedee a place if he ever thinks about leaving the Z-Stacks. Zebedee declines the offer before it can be said and tells Ten Cents he thinks too much before they part ways.
Basis
Like the other Z-Stacks, Zebedee is based on the Moran Fleet tugs from the 1920s.
Audio Files
Zebedee's whistle produces a single flat note. His whistle is Zug's at a lower pitch. He has the deepest whistle of the Z-Stacks.
Salty's Lighthouse
In the animated series Salty's Lighthouse, Zebedee was voiced by Ian James Corlett, giving him a Brooklyn accent. His name is always pronounced as Zeebee, although (unlike Big Mac and O.J.'s) his original nametag is left uncensored, which means that either "Zeebee" is a short name, or that his name could have been mispronounced. This is also what happened with Burke and Blair.
Appearances
Episodes
- Sunshine (cameo)
- Pirate
- Regatta (cameo)
- Munitions
- Warrior
- High Tide
- Jinxed (cameo)
- High Winds
- Bigg Freeze (cameo)
Books and Annuals
- Run Aground (cameo)
- Treasure Hunt (cameo)
Trivia
- After TUGS' production ended, Zebedee's model was purchased by The Star Tugs Company, an organization which showcases the show's models.
- His face masks were sold to an unknown buyer in 2012.
- Due to his hidden, more caring and heroic nature, Zebedee is the only Z-Stack to be offered a place in the Star Fleet - only for him to decline.
- Zebedee and Zip are the only Z-Stacks who have the "smiling" whistle mouth that all the Star Fleet tugs have. The rest of the Z-Stacks have a "frowning" whistle mouth.
- He and Zak swapped personalities. Originally, Zebedee was to be Zorran's right-hand tug and have the desire to lead the Z-Stacks.
- It's incorrectly stated on the TUGS Board Game that Zebedee is owned by Captain Star.
- This is likely because he was offered to join the Star Fleet in High Winds.
- He is the only Z-Stack to be a protagonist in an episode.
Quotes
- "“Told you about your engine, Zak. You should have had it seen to.”/“Nothing wrong with it.”"
- — Zebedee and Zak, High Tide
- "Go and draw your pension, O.J., you’re past it."
- — Zebedee to O.J., Munitions
- "“Good morning, Zebedee.”/“What’s good about it? High winds on the way.”"
- — Ten Cents and Zebedee, High Winds
- "“This is two you owe me, switchers!”/“Zebedee! Oh, thanks! Just in time, you’re a lifesaver!”"
- — Zebedee helping the Stars with the Princess Alice, High Winds