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Remember, children. For every exit, there is also an entrance.
— Milligan

Milligan is a man who was brainswept by Ledroptha Curtain, causing him to lose his memories. He later regains them, and then remembers that he is Kate Wetherall's father. He is almost always in disguise as something; in fact, he can change disguises in less than a minute, going from short and round, to tall and exceptionally thin. It's reasonable to believe, however, that he resembles Kate (or she resembles him), and we know for certain that he has blue eyes, is very tall, and has blond hair that is bright yellow (dirty blond in the TV series). However, the books don't exactly mention his true name, for Milligan himself said the name "didn't feel right". At the end of The Mysterious Benedict Society, it is revealed that the name had popped into his head because of the last promise he had made to his daughter, going to the mill pond again.

Personality[]

Milligan cares deeply about the Society, especially his biological daughter Kate. He makes every attempt possible to keep her and her friends out of danger, often to the disdain of Kate, who seems to think herself just as qualified as her father and tries to do everything he does. She succeeds most of the time, due to the help of the other society members.

In the first book, Milligan had a very melancholy and depressed personality due to his brainsweeping by Curtain. This is because he had no memories - not even of his own name - and no matter what, Mr. Benedict was incapable of bringing them back. He is noticeably more cheerful despite many wounds and a broken arm when he realizes that Kate is his long-lost daughter. He is also naturally cheerful from then on, probably because his memories are coming back, though not so eternally cheerful as Kate.

Milligan also has a cautious personality to balance out his recklessness. He's been known to forbid Kate from doing anything just to keep her safe, and he's also thrown himself off of several different high places to protect her and the rest of the Society.

Abilities[]

Milligan has an amazing affinity and talent for disguising himself using any means necessary, similar to that of his daughter. He is also a great secret agent (likely one of the government's best), much like Kate. The only weapons he ever uses is a tranquilizer dart gun and a boomerang, because he does not believe in causing real harm to anybody, even Ten Men (which has gotten him into some tricky situations). He also gardens, though whether he is any good at it or not is not mentioned.

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Milligan lived on a farm with Kate after his wife died. He chose his name from a forgotten memory: swimming at the mill pond and Kate saying "Daddy, may we go to the mill again?" Very soon after, Milligan was captured on a mission and failed to return, then got himself severely brainsweeped by Mr. Curtain, and forgot every thing of his past life. His real name is never revealed because to him, "it doesn't feel right".

The Mysterious Benedict Society[]

Milligan was recruited by Mr. Benedict as sort of a guard, and he laters protects the children, preforming quite dangerous feats to save them. He tells the kids after reporting his sad story, he remembers after his blow to the head, but all memories before are lost. Near the end of the book, he finds out Kate is his daughter, and they move to the country, into the old barn they used to live in, which had been abandoned for quite a while.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey []

Milligan is constantly underestimating Kate, and learning from it. Kate loves being able to prove him wrong. Milligan has a strong love for his daughter, and affectionately refers to her as his "Katie-Cat." When the Society is trapped in a hotel, he comes to their rescue at the last minute. Then later, when the kids are surrounded by Ten Men, he takes them all on. While the children travel to the top of the mountain, Milligan is backed off a fifty-foot cliff and falls onto a bed of rocks, although he does survive.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma []

Milligan and mccracken

Milligan battles McCracken at Third Island Prison in The Prisoner's Dilemma

The kids are captured by the Ten Men. So, Milligan and Mr. Benedict, Rhonda, Number Two, and some of Milligan's fellow spies come to rescue them. Milligan is forced to split up from the children to face McCracken. McCracken leaves him hanging on the side of the building. As he finishes climbing up the wall, McCracken corners the children. Milligan searches for something to throw to stop McCracken, yet he finds nothing. Since Milligan had nothing to throw, he throws himself jumping off of a 4 story building onto McCracken. This shows his dedication to the kids, and at the end of the book he goes into retirement.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages[]

Quotes[]

  • "Well, I'm sure I would infinitely prefer that fate to the smell of your breath." (after Mr. Curtain threatens to toss him into Stonetown Harbor)
  • "You were brave to do what you did," he said slowly. "And I know you did it out of love for our friends. But if you ever do something like this again, I can promise you that Ten Men and Executives are going to be the least of your worries- do you understand?" His expression was very severe, his jaw was set, and his words were clipped and terse as if spoken with much suppressed anger. Kate burst out laughing. "Milligan," she said, "I'll bet you scare the wits out of bad guys, but as a dad you don't scare anyone very much." "She's right." Constance said. "I can tell you aren't really angry." Milligan frowned and looked at Reynie, but Reynie averted his eyes to avoid disappointing him- for he, too, had been unfazed by Milligan's stern admonition. Only Sticky, furiously polishing his spectacles in the back seat, showed the effect Milligan had hoped for. But Sticky was easily unnerved and could hardly be used as a measure. "Well," Milligan said, his face relaxing. "At least I tried."
  • "... Speaking of which, the boys weren't actually touching the briefcases in the trunk, I hope?" Wondering how Milligan knew, Kate stuck her head out the office door and gave Reynie and Sticky a warning look. They nodded and tried to close the trunk as quietly as possible. "They aren't now anyway." "Good," Milligan said, picking up his duffel bag. "I'd hate to have to speak sternly to them again. It embarrasses me to be so ineffective."

Behind the scenes[]

His real first name, presumably not Milligan, is never given within the series. While it is revealed that he subconsciously chose the name "Milligan" based on his forgotten promise to his daughter, "Of course we'll come to the mill again," he continues to go by this name even after regaining his memories of his past life and access to his records.

Gallery[]

Sources[]

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