Recap / The Legend Of Zelda 1989 E 12 The Missing Link

During yet another of Ganon's attacks on Castle Hyrule, Zelda deflects one of Ganon's blasts, and the weakened magic hits Link instead, seemingly vaporizing him. However, soon afterwards, Zelda discovers that Link is alive but separated from his body, which Ganon's magic transported to the Underworld. Zelda and Link go in pursuit, but the quest for the missing Link may bring up some unexpected revelations.

Ran with The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! live-action episode "Tutti Frutti Oh Mario".

This episode includes examples of the following tropes:

• Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other: When Link cries out and vanishes after being hit with the remains of the blast, Zelda screams his name and crumples to the ground next to his sword, obviously crying. Later, Ganon adds a romantic twist to a plot point: Zelda is the only one who can see Link because she's the only one who is in love with him. The main reason she didn't tell Link was that she didn't want it to go to his head.
• He Is Not My Boyfriend: Zelda attempts to deny her love for Link, saying that she only likes him a little. Even at the end, although she agrees to kiss him, she insists it doesn't mean anything.
• Hostage for MacGuffin: Ganon captures Link and tells Zelda that she won't have him back until she brings him the Triforce of Wisdom. Zelda opts for Rescued from the Underworld instead.
• Hypocritical Humor: Ganon is an Abhorrent Admirer to Zelda, but when he finds out that Zelda is genuinely in love with Link, he calls it "disgusting" and "impossible."
• Instant Expert: Averted. When Zelda has to use Link's sword, she has a lot of difficulty with it since she's never used it before and isn't accustomed to the recoil from the Sword Beam, which was never an issue with Link.
• Intangibility: Link tries picking up his sword, only to find that he is a ghost and can't pick it up. He also suffers from invisibility, as no one except Zelda can see him, though anyone can hear him speak.
• Ironic Echo: Zelda borrows Link's shield and leaves him to fight off Ganon's invasion alone:
  Zelda: You hold them here!
  Link: Hey! Thanks heaps, Princess!
  • Later, after Moblins are sent after the duo in the underworld...
    Link's "Ghost": Just hold them a while!
    Zelda: Thanks heaps!
• Living Ghost: After being hit with the beam, Link's spirit is separated from his body, leaving him audible but invisible to everyone except Zelda and unable to pick up everyday objects like his sword. He's still alive, but a ghost for all intents and purposes. The plot centers around reuniting his body and spirit.
• Major Injury Underreaction: Link takes being separated from his body and effectively turned into a ghost really well. At first, he doesn't even realize it, and when he does, it changes almost nothing.
• The Power of Love: Zelda's love for Link allows her to see his spirit when it has been separated from his body.
• Rescued from the Underworld: An inverted variation; Link's ghost and Zelda travel to Ganon's underworld labyrinth to get Link's body back, and ultimately succeed.
• Spectacular Spinning: When Link's non-corporeal and can't hold the sword, Zelda uses it - and spins it around in her hand the exact same way that Link habitually does.
• This Cannot Be!: Ganon is totally baffled when he finds out that Zelda loves Link. This is Hypocritical Humor because he is an Abhorrent Admirer to Zelda.
  Ganon: But one thing puzzles me. Why would Zelda be able to see him?! Well, she could only do that if- (Beat) No... no, i-impossible.
  Stalfos: What is it, Evilness?
  Ganon: Zelda could only see Link if... if she was in love with him! Zelda in love with Link?! Oh, how disgusting!
• You Can See Me?: The episode has Link's spirit knocked out of his body, which is then stolen by Ganon. The only one who can see Link's ghostlike form is Zelda because, as Ganon realizes, she's secretly in love with him. Interestingly, Spryte can't see him despite being far more open and forward with her feelings toward Link. One can only assume it's more lust than love.