You guys probably know or have heard of the supporting character, mayor Paul Spryman, from the movie’s spin-off Ozzy And Drix. He’s a typical teenage boy (And stereotypical, cuz he matches the infamous spoiled/privileged boy TV trope!). Immature, rude, messy, reckless, temperamental, kind of a brat. He also quite dislikes Ozzy and his partner for their different and unorthodox methods in their work, seeing them merely as irritations/annoyances with his plans for looking cool and impressive in front of the media, how HE wants to handle situations for Hector/himself…The dude’s even neglected running Hector’s common sense and building chocolate statues of himself in a few instances. He also was shown to be shaking hands and showing off to people at important gatherings/events, and once on his yacht he’d tried to flirt and be smooth with a bubbly/infatuated teenage girl cell in the episode Double Dose.
Definitely a player, like how Ozzy used to be!
He’s a lot like how Mayor Phlegmming was in office in Frank. Careless and oblivious.
However, he does have his redeeming qualities, I’ve noticed!
I know what you’re thinking: How can a whiny little twerp like THAT, who abuses his power, POSSIBLY have any GOOD things to give? Well, let me explain.
From what I observed from watching the show (Several times. Character study/observation requires a LOT of repeating binging, lol.), from both of their characters, the only difference between Spryman and Phlegmming is this: Spryman actually CARES when something is wrong in the city/with Hector. Despite his ego, we see he worries for Hector’s safety and health just like Ozzy, even asking at the episode when Hector was going through puberty that if he was going to live. Also, he can put aside his childishness for a moment to get serious and try to take control back when things go awry, as shown in Puberty Alert when Shane The Testosterone Hormone goes too far in being Spryman’s ‘advisor’ and making Hector wolf whistle at his school principal against the boy’s will. Spryman also hears Ozzy and Drix out at times and heeds their advice when need be, and even aids them in solving the problem at hand, shown when he orders Bladder Control to flush the Lead Head Gang out of the Body in the episode Triumph Of The Supplements. He also knows how to persuade and communicate with his supporters and the people in general, though to benefit himself mostly.
In short, it’s his ego and lack of responsibility/smarts that get him in over his head. What could be the motivator/inspiration for him to be a better cell?
How about the free-spirited, tough, but smart and emotionally strong Riley Cadherin?
Upon meeting at the Metabolica concert, though brief when they’re waiting at the ticket booth, he sees that she’s not impressed, and immune to his advances and putting on the smooth act, despite him being the mayor. He also seems confused when, before the official meeting between them later after the concert, Riley helps Ozzy and Drix, despite Angie’s own advisory that it wasn’t her business, sneak by an obnoxious/shady usher into the concert hall quietly while his back was turned. The officials of the place tried to ban them because they’d caused a mess/trouble last time at The Big Toe’s arena (Gas Of Doom episode!), though Metabolica knew the detectives and were on friendly terms with them after they’d saved their lives!
Spryman was dumbfounded by her actions, but also kind of impressed himself! She wasn’t at all like the other girl cells he’s tried to woo…
And later after that, upon hearing that Jones and Drix were now friends with that same girl? He knew he had to find a way to get her to like him. He starts to invite her to his parties. His fancy yachts and celebrations, which her aunt thinks is a delightful idea for her to attend, much to her disdain. She shuts him down with sassy remarks, often flustering him and amusing Ozzy and Drix in her comedic acts. When all that glitter fails to impress her, he decides to down the ego a bit, even showing Ozzy and Drix a TEENSY bit of respect, because he knows they’re her friends. He goes a little softer, though still retains his bratty behavior for a bit.
Until one day, when Riley, when no one else besides Ozzy dared to, calls him out.
After seeing Ozzy and his partner once again overlooked/punished for doing what’s right for Hector, she stands up the Spryman and tells him off for treating them so poorly, and demands him to do his job right for once instead of being so stupid/incompetent/corrupt in the way of things, finally sick and tired of how things are being run by him and the HPD, as her father had believed the same. Spryman looks at her, both shocked and amazed at this commanding, firm and strong resolve at him. Gluteus, slightly amused, tries to assure her ‘everything is fine’ and not to worry her pretty little head, but then she goes off at HIM, saying people need to wake up about what’s going on in the body and with Hector, instead of acting like a bunch of clueless chumps who slander/mock others who try to help and do the right thing.
In the heat of the moment, the chief brings up her father, and how disrespectful she was being to the law like HE was, and Spryman saw that tough and cool girl he admired crumble to bits and run out of the room, Ozzy following her. The mayor yells in outrage at his police chief, who was also shocked himself at what he’d just said. It just slipped out.
After this, Spryman’s attitude changes almost entirely.
And soon enough…His mature, rational, and responsible side finally starts to emerge.
He’s acting kinder. He starts to think of what Riley might like too, what she’d ACTUALLY like in terms of genuine gestures and gifts. Her passions and interests, like her music and art. Her dreams, like wanting Hector to be a beautiful place and for Hector to grow up strong and kind like her father and brother were. He starts to make better and healthier decisions for the boy, pay more attention to everything happening, and, sure enough, starts to like and bond with Ozzy.
After all, he was put into office at a young age, and he didn’t have a lot of parental guidance.
He was starting to see that Jones was only trying to put Hector, and Spryman himself, in the right direction.
And soon, over time time, her view of him went from annoyance/irritation to friendship.
And maybe more.
They’d opened each other up.
Riley is what Spryman needs in a love interest: Calm, responsible, hard-working, smart, strong, and witty.
Maybe, by the end of the story, she’ll wanna soak up a little Spryman!
Also, if I could have anyone voice post-puberty/mature Spryman, it would be Jeremy Jordan, who voiced Varian in Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure!
Remember to keep signing and sharing, City Of Hector! We’re gettin’ there, little by little! B)