Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-25926288-20161219222254

There's the subjective notion that Rumple's writing has been going downhill (which isn't really subjective at this point because it's practically unanimous amongst fans). There's some that are fine with his redux, forgive the added redux, and sidesteps of writing him off, and even some look forward to an eventual redemption or death. But that's been talked about already. Let's not get to talking about hope and the Big Mouse.

Why Rumple should redeemed is because one word: Logic. Or rather suspension of disbelief. He should be redeemed swiftly, even at the sacrifice of ignoring early season 6's back and forth. Let's look at some noticeable facts that hopefully convince you.

1. The heroes keep making deals with Rumple. Are they idiots or just desperate? I can't take them seriously at all. Why make deals with evil and go about saying how you don't mingle with evil? They do all the time. At best, they aren't helping the problem. Wish Snow and Wish David had the right idea and saw that he was a scourge upon the realm and imprisoned him and done away with all known miscreants. But more so......

2. '''The heroes don't want anything to do with him. '''Is Belle in trouble? Maybe, we'll do something about it. Is Rumple in need of help? We can't bother, not at any expense. Like, they wanted to help Emma, but they weren't doing anything in that episode. So, it's not like they didn't have time to spare, especially since Belle did so much for them (Rumple pretty much is a neutral element to that decision given that he helps and hurts). But even worse....

3. The heroes don't respect him. Makes sense. But they come expecting what? Him not to rip them off? Emma blackmails Rumple into going to the Underworld and he generously helps to get to Hook. When they return, Emma comes to him asking for help with Hades. Why should he? Don't have any more blackmail? David also goes to him and they achieve a reasonable exchange. Rumple gives him information about his father, while David delivers a casette tape. But Rumple's still evil and we know how Snow and David thinks he's a scourge on humanity (which isn't farfetched), but....

4. He's family. I saw an interview where Adam and Eddy recall this obvious fact. If Henry forgives Rumple for attempted murder of him or his family (twice over) and shady deals, why does that go away when he.....doesn't do that again? Emma saved Rumple once because he's family, but now....not so much. It's rarely brought up. Unless this is that  Belle-type of forgiveness where "If you were pure evil, I could forgive you, but jokes on you, you're too many shades of grey!"

If he's not the main villain currently, why not have him be a neutral party as he was in season 1 or 2? He wasn't actively helping the Villain of the Week kill everyone, but he certainly wasn't twiddling his thumbs in his shop. My suspension of disbelief drops when the show implies that I should be upset at Rumple when the heroes have twised morals and bizarre expectations. If Rumple does go off again and join his son in villainy, I hope we don't see a "hero" go to Rumple expecting a fair deal, or going to him at all. Like, I totally expect David to go to Rumple, while Rumple and hsi son are trying to kill Emma.

On the sidelines, it would get rid of the "We" victim-blaming Belle is doing and the false claims of Rumple never hurting Belle. This is one part that's troubling. You can come back from murder (since every "hero" is a murder too), secrets and lies (like everyone else too), but if every relationship devolves into this "not across the line" relationship then there's no hope. Imagine if Regina started lying to Henry and memory-wiping him (aka she did this already). Imagine if Killian emotionally hurt Emma, then claimed that he'd never hurt her. (almost) Imagine if Snow wakes up and congratulates David on lying to her so he'd find his father's secret past. Imagine if Zelena blurts out "What did I ever do to you" when arguing with Regina. But mostly, I just want rational decisions. Don't go to Rumple when he's likely helping the evil you're fighting unless you're trying to stop that from happening. Don't parade around because you defeated the recent evil, when Rumple whose done so much damage is living relaxed and in luxury. They cuffed and imprisoned Zelena, planned to separate her from her child, but Rumple's free as a bird. 