Daily Debate: Would You Vote for Cece or Reede to Be Hateno’s Mayor?
Posted on May 20 2024 by Nicole Scott
Happy birthday, Tears of the Kingdom! It’s been a delightful year experiencing its story, and it made me nostalgic for some of the game’s quirky side quests. When you first enter Hateno, players immediately witness a town, divided. Citizens don mushroom hats and dresses, while others seem unenthused. Someone has opened a new shop, and it threatens the town’s peaceful way of life.
For better or worse, Link had to get involved. Suddenly, he was responsible for ironing out political tensions in the Side Adventure “The Mayoral Election.”
It’s time to reacquaint ourselves with the candidates — the fashionista, Cece, and the incumbent, Reede. Each provides a uniquely compelling argument as to who would serve better.
Let’s start with Reede, because his stance takes a more classic approach.
“Cece! You have got to quit littering the village with your weird art pieces! Maybe you don’t realize, but plants need their sleep too. Those eyesores are so bright at night that they’re keeping the veggies awake! It’s a real problem for the crops. Hateno’s foundation is its produce! What are we going to do if it fails? … My duty is to look after the village, and that’s what I mean to do.” — Reede
He wants to preserve Hateno’s agricultural traditions. It’s how the town got to where it is today — self-sufficient and content. The passionate speech revealed Cece put the area’s ecology at risk when she stormed in. If this was a real neighborhood, her jaded attitude could result in food scarcity and economic distress for Hateno’s citizens if they lost crops. This is why Reede is a convincing option.
Villagers who stand behind him do so because they don’t understand the frivolity of Cece’s fashion. One villager questioned what the point of all the flair was; it’s not useful when working out in the fields, anyway.
Even though she’s grating and egotistical, you have to admit Cece brings an equally valid defense to the table.
“Who do you suppose you have to thank for Hateno’s rejuvenation?” — Cece
She calls Reede’s perspective “bygone,” implying he will ruin Hateno if he doesn’t modernize. She could be right.
“Together, we can turn this backwater village into Hyrule’s go-to destination for all things stylish… It’s glamor that rakes in the cash.” — Cece
She says trends shape the world, which is difficult to deny. Behind her vanity is a genuine desire to help Hateno grow. Again, if this were a real place, Cece would have a persuasive argument. With the Calamity and the Upheaval, it’s no surprise villages are in dire straits. Who would turn down a shot to earn a bunch of money from local tourism, finding stability for the first time in years? They have to be creative to get by, and Cece gives a fresh point of view.
Reede attempts to combat this case by unveiling his economy-boosting initiative — Hateno cheese. However, there is no novelty in this idea. Does it show he would take risks to make his village grow? Would it be enough to make the town flourish instead of just stagnate?
It’s a lot to consider.
The quest series ends on a heartwarming note. The two become co-mayors as they discover the merit of both platforms.
But, if you could only elect one, who do you think would actually be a better choice for Hateno’s future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Nicole Scott is writer for Zelda Dungeon from suburban Appalachia. She loves drinking espresso, seeing live music, building LEGO sets, being a completionist, and snuggling her two probably-alien cats, Tizo and Alarielle.
