Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-6302057-20141115232542/@comment-25926288-20150330200700

NickM98 wrote: Eskaver wrote: I would have to label this as a plot hole/ contrivance. Neal had to return, but arrived via other means. Ingrid, Ursula, and Cruella arrived via other means, but didn't have to return. So, all in all, this was a way to separate Neal and Hook from Emma for no reason other than the plot. And also, Pinnochio! Neal had to stay in SB to keep his memories (Pinnochio too). Yes he could have gone with Emma and Henry, but he would have lost his memories as well. Emma could have gone with everyone else, but Henry would have been left alone in LWM without any memories. Neal staying in SB not only allowed him to keep his memories, it provided the perfect reason to keep him and Emma separate for the sake of the story. I know that...for the story reason. But, nowhere did they say that Neal would lose his memories. I can buy that about kid August, because he was a kid again. But Neal would still know who Emma was and Emma still knew who he was. Did she think Henry just had no father? A small thing like Neal choosing to go back to have her be happy would have been nice. But instead, they showed that every waking moment back in the EF, Neal was trying to get back to Emma and Henry. So, clearly he wanted to stay with Emma and Henry, even if they wouldn't remember the last year, Regina could just added him in and made it all a happy family.

Disclaimer: I actually don't like Neal and am not biased towards him in anyway. Just an example.