Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-2153169-20171213164505/@comment-6175354-20171214013645

JennaMae wrote: Just watched Gabrielle's interview and she said that she wouldn't sign on to a season 8, so there's that regardless of what happens. Well, that explains everything.

Gabrielle Anwar did not want a long-term contract. So, Tremaine/Rapunzel/Victoria's arc was written with that in mind. It is basically like how Rumpstiltskin's arc is about him wanting to die, because clearly Robert Carlyle wants to move on to other projects. Look, I cannot fault Gabrielle for this, because OUaT is in an awkward situation. Her signing a two-year contract, would have forced her to do a show she did not want, if OUaT gets cancelled this year.