Board Thread:Rant and Rave/@comment-31937823-20180102211252/@comment-25926288-20180104012229

'Bout to pull a "both sides" argument here. I think both sides on 5A or 5B have valid reasons to see each half in the way that they did.

I think what seems to be more prevalent that, while expressed, is being hampered by character wars. Season 5's specific problem was a plot problem highlighting these "character woes".

Some may think the "Hook-Emma" romance was poorly utilized or mismanaged in terms of screentime and importance. Some see the focus as warranted and there were a lot of other pesky little issues. Does Emma's romance with Hook get a lot of time and focus? Yes, without debate. What about Emma's friendship with Regina? Also, yes. An easy to see issue presented in 4B in which Emma spent the lion's share of time with Regina and Hook rather than anyone else.

I think certain specific plot points, "retcons", and pay-offs, etc, leaves most to see the flaws that were already present on the show.

Some see Zelena and Hades (as well as Hook and Emma) were overwhelming in 5B. Did these two get major focus? Yes. But I believe it goes back to the plot. Seeing a storyline involving Hades and Zelena for roughly 1/2 a half-season and a occassionally connected "Save Hook" main arc might give that impression. The issue isn't them getting storylines, though. It's the meandering of half the other characters (What did Regina do after that premiere? Where was Robin? Snow got like one episode focus and off to do humor? David, who? Whatever that Henry plot?).

All in all, I don't think "this ship did this" or "this SOLE focal point did that". It's a flurry of stuff as usual. Subjectively, you can love either half or both or whomever. However, I think to praise the writing/execution is a bit much when it's really not great. (Like, it's fine to like poorly written books, but it doesn't make it "good writing".)