The Zelda series features several meanies who undergo a drastic shift in life circumstances and become changed as a result. We have Chudley from Twilight Princess, Bomb Shop Owner Cannon from The Wind Waker, and the Deku King from Majora’s Mask. Although not a malicious person, Maggie’s father differs from these examples in that he does not become changed for the better after falling into a more affluent life situation. We social science majors might refer to Maggie’s father as “nouveau riche” with his out-of-touch fashion sense and pompous demeanor, but players know he didn’t start out that way.
I think it would be unfair to hold it against Maggie that her father is easily the most irksome NPC we encounter early in the game (except perhaps Zill). It seems the developers of The Wind Waker had a penchant for NPCs who chase after the player once sighted. When replaying The Wind Waker, I always make a beeline for the exit when I see this bothersome fellow approaching. If you are a person who is easily affected by guilt, then you may want to politely listen (if only once) to this man’s tale of woe.
Maggie’s father is beside himself with worry after the sudden disappearance of his daughter, who was tragically kidnapped by the Helmaroc King and carted off to the dreaded Forsaken Fortress. He pleads for Link to rescue his daughter and give those baddies a good scare.
Maggie is the only hostage from Windfall Island who returns from the Forsaken Fortress with a much better life than when she went in. Incidentally, she is the least convincing Zelda lookalike when compared to her fellow hostages, Aryll and Mila. The only justifiable reason for keeping her locked up are her pointy ears, the only feature she shares with the other girls. Whether you agree to help Maggie’s father or not, your decision has no effect on the eventual outcome. Tetra’s band of pirates eventually return both Maggie and Mila to their native Windfall and very clearly take credit for the whole operation. In a strange turn of events, Maggie and her father come into considerable wealth after selling her large collection of Skull Necklaces, while Mila’s father goes bankrupt after forking over all his money as payment to the pirates.
But the story doesn’t end here.
This little switcheroo does not leave each family better off, as each person must take the proper steps in adjusting to their new lifestyle. Consequently, their old problems are replaced with new ones. Mila’s father’s worry is replaced with a fear of her becoming a vandal and getting into trouble, while Maggie’s father is now concerned about his daughter’s strange new fixation on the Moblin, Moe. It’s clear that Maggie’s father does care a great deal about his daughter, and will do anything to protect her, however drastic. But he doesn’t exactly come across as a great role model.
After experiencing a shift in status, Maggie’s father does not choose to take the high road in becoming a more humbled, benevolent, or even grateful individual. Instead, he disports himself like any other stereotypical snobby rich guy, not unlike Mila’s father (although with a slightly less volatile temper). He even refers to Link (the kid who helped rescue his daughter) as a “wretched street urchin” and refuses to let his daughter leave the house.
Maggie spends the remainder of the game pretty much ignoring her father and pining after her beloved Moblin. Despite this lackluster ending to a dramatic rags-to-riches kidnapping tale, it could be argued that Link’s interference in their lives serves to help both father and daughter change if only slightly for the better. If Maggie’s father learns anything from the ordeal, it’s to appreciate his daughter a little more; because the prospect of losing her again would be simply too much to bear.
