Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-10745887-20151001044421/@comment-24674051-20151005140229

I agree that Emma was not responsible for breaking the second curse. What she is responsible for is the one thing that they have acknowledged this season. She is the force that has brought Regina, Hook, Snow, David, and the rest of the group together. She is the leader. Gold is clearly responsible for defeating Pan, and Regina is clearly responsible for defeating Zelena. Mary Margaret (with help from Gold) defeated Cora. Ingrid defeated herself (though in this case I will credit Emma with at least a hand in that fight). And I give more credit to Isaac for defeating Cruella than Emma, and Henry defeated Isaac.

Now, regarding TLK and Regina. I agree that the act was not required, but it was an effective plot device to forshadow that Regina had it in her to be able to defeat Zelena. It was something that actually showed some character growth. It was an opportunity actually show, rather than just tell.