Board Thread:Show-Related Questions and Answers/@comment-24434261-20140117205440/@comment-27376585-20140126065457

Frankly it wasn't a huge shock for me for Rumple 'dying' when 'Going Home' came out. When Pan/Henry obtained the curse at the end of 3x10, he needed the heart of the thing he loved most. There were only 2 possible choices, Rumple/Mr. Gold, or Felix. Fortunately it was Felix, but it has been mentioned many times throughout Season 3 that for Pan to die, Rumple has to die too. Also in the Promo for 3x11, Rumple collapses against the wall from Pan's power. That was enough of a shock for me at that time.

I still think/hope Rumple's alive. If he really was dead (and Robert Carlyle left the show), I think it would kill of the show. Possibly because I'm still refusing to believe Mr. Gold is dead.