Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-11058666-20150819040345/@comment-11058666-20150822085136

How can people say that Belle is spineless when she has time and time again stood up to people? She's not a shrinking violet. Before, she wasn't even scared of Rumple, she called him out on his crap and made him stop. Yes, she is emotionally abused, but it's not like she's his wimpy little servant who obeys his every whim. She has Stockholm Syndrome. She just has a mental disorder. A flaw. God knows how many problems her ex-husband has. XD, or Regina and the other characters for that matter.

I think people just like to ignore all the times she's been heroic, too. Like when she defeated the Yaoguai, struck a deal with Rumple to save her village, protected Storybrooke from invaders, and kicked her beloved husband out of town and crippled him to save everyone else. Literally nobody gives a damn about her, despite everything she's done. Nobody ever has. It sickens me, honestly. She's so sweet and good-hearted--she deserves a little respect.

Y'know, maybe that's why she always comes crawling back to Rumple? I swear, as much as he lies to her and manipulates her, he still shows love and affection towards her while everyone else shows disgust and ignorance. She has the worst options right now--either go back to her evil, emotionally abusive, murdering, torturing husband, or go back to being treated like dirt by the town that she has given up so much for. At least Rumple doesn't hurt her like other people do. :(