Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-1916997-20160111161802/@comment-25926288-20160121131105

Thought over it a bit and I want to restate my answer solely in terms of Hook himself, since a character is not a "ship". I am against the idealized version of Hook, the one that's consistently trumped around as hero upon hero with a ton of angst.

As any villainous character, his main character arc is being on the road to redemption. However, he never really got started when many guessed he did. He didn't start in season 2, or in season 3, or even in season 4.

Hook was always the opportunistic rogue that was deadset on revenge. Once he was done with revenge it didn't mean that he was suddenly starting to be redeemed. That's just him and Rumple burying the hatchet. But in time, we'll see that the animosity never really left. The animosity between the two is the issue and no role reversal can justify any view of redemption.

One of the core issues with Hook was that he saw Emma as a prize to be won with him "changing", but it all hinged on Emma. He didn't kill David, but that was becasue he was reminded of his brother and primarily because that was Emma's father. Pan stressed how his true nature would turn Emma away and Hook sought after Emma as the "woman worth fighting for". Still a prize no doubt. Think not? Read these qoutes by Hook.

-"So when I win your heart, Emma, and I will win it... it'll be because you want me.

-"I'm glad to hear that. [You're glad to hear that my heart is broken?] If it can be broken, it means it still works."

Eventually Hook felt that nothing could comapre to Emma, even trading his ship away, but that shows no real redemptive qualities, just a man fighting for love (which is actually what sparked his revenge twice now). Those lines could just be Hook's characteristically bad flirting, but the following line takes the cake:

-"[Emma's not some conquest.] I wouldn't risk my life for someone I see as loot."

The only issue I have with that line is that's the writers' inserting "tell, don't show" philosophy. Even if you believe that Hook showed that quality with Emma, it's clear that the writers didn't think so because "tell, don't show" is only used when they don't think a point had come across.

Anyhow, Hook wasn't really progressing redemption-wise because his redemption wasn't about loving someone else. His villainy arises once more in natural suit when he obviously didn't help Ariel save Eric (Guess who wasn't around!), when he seees an opportunity to blackmail his rival, and when he once again was going to lash out and betray Ursula due to his hatred and desire for vengeance against Rumple. He was willing to attack his former victim due to that. He only achieve good standing with her because Ariel showed up and Hook saw an opportunity to make amends (that just so happen to earn hero points for impressing Emma).

Now naturally, with him having what he sought for (aka Emma), he's villainous ways softened up and we saw a "hero" inside the leather-bound pirate, but even he didn't see truly see that. So, he did start taking some steps and conveniently his revenge was against the season 4 villain of Rumple.

His animosity re-emerged when he even claimed that Emma was nothing like Rumple and didn't think he was worth saving (along with Snow, David and Regina). If he could have easily showed great steps of redemption by going or at least partially assisting Belle in her search for Rumple, instead of degrading him. Then, we all know the obvious resurfacing of his need for vengeance against Rumple, that he would have taken against Rumple and even Emma's family, until he saw Emma being physically hurt. He clearly didn't care that much about the emotional turmoil because his sight was clouded by his own darkness.

Even his descent to darkness showed that he is weak. Rumple exclaims that Belle's and Bae's love are what made his strong. Emma's family are what made Emma strong. Hook.......was just simply weak and eventually in the nick of time, love shone through to him.

So, I'll be generous and say that he is going along the redemptive road Once sets out:

1. Try to change for the wrong reason.

2. Backslide.

3. Last minute change after great temptation.

4. Attempt to sacrifice yourself.

5. Return as a burgeoning hero.....and etc.

Hook is at number 4, which Rumple achieved in season 3a and Regina in season 2. So, in the end, Hook is plenty fine, but the idealized version is what I hate, which is true for any character. I'll go ahead and even say I hate the character hate trains as well.