John and Marlena would fill the patriarch and matriarch roles when Alice no longer could but when they were let go, it ended that possibility. In order for Maggie to have Mickey to rely on, they’d have to cast the role again. I guess it’s cheaper and easier to just say he’s on a constant business trip all the time. I have to say that sometimes I didn’t like Maggie’s attitude of sticking her nose into other people’s business. Hopefully that will change now that she seems to be the new matriarch.