Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-24386552-20140613181946/@comment-6175354-20140613194331

Dan Fox wrote:

But still, I don't think it was as honorable as people say it was. What are your guys' thoughts on Neal's death being honorable? Agreed.... Neal's death was not as heroic, as everyone made it seem. Sure, he redeemed himself in the end, but the did not dismiss as the stupid things he did in the past.

I felt Neal's death was incredibly tragic.... it was peotic justice, in a way. Rumplestilskin thought, he would not have to pay the price of magic, by manipulating someone else into casting the Dark Curse. He ruined countless lives, in the name of his son. Which is something that dishonored his son, as Baelfire hated his father's dark side. Neal abandoned Emma, after he gave her hope for a home. He left her in prison, which caused her so much pain that she gave up her baby.

What was heroic was that Neal's death was his second chance, at making everything right by Emma. He sent Hook the memory potion, with the message about the new curse. He also told Emma, that she needed to let him go.... finally giving her the closure, she desperately needed.