Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-31427137-20170331142300/@comment-5679696-20170331204102

Eskaver wrote: The problem is that the writers would need to retcon that because as we know the curse didn't take Cruella, Ursula, and Ingrid back. If that was the case, then Neal and Hook could have stayed.

It's the problem with hindsight: it's 20/20.

In-show: Emma's the Savior, Henry's conceived here. (Despite Ursula and Cruella and Ingrid)

Out-of-show: Plot. It can be explained by power hierarchy. Apprentice > Dark Curse > magic beans & other portals that can reach the LWM.

Ursula and Cruella came to the Land Without Magic with very powerful magic, that of the Apprentice. I would go as far as to say that even the Dragon wasn't taken back to the Enchanted Forest due to him having powerful magic.

Neal and Hook on the other hand, came to the LWM by regular means of world-crossing, and where therefore bound to be returned.

Also, what's with insisting that Ingrid wasn't taken to the Enchanted Forest and back to Storybrooke when the curse was undone and cast again in S3?