Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-25926288-20161215144521

No, this isn't Belle because I never took Belle in any incarnation to be smart, just educated. (There's a difference.) This is about Rumple. Rumple is a master manipulator. He is well-versed in the magical arts and can see glimpses of the future. He's oddly fatalistic and in the know-how of the concept of "Story". But is he actually smart or just given a great deal of circumstantial gifts?

Rumple knows that Villains never win. However, he expects himself to win.

Rumple knows that Villains don't get Heppy Endings. However, he expects himself to get it.

Rumple tells Regina that "No Author decides my fate." However, he then goes to find the Author.

Rumple tells Regina that she can't get everything. However, he then tries to have everything.

Rumple wants to find his son. However, he is never shown looking for him.

Rumple needs to get to a Land Without Magic. However, there are countless portals and portal-making devices and even less powerful beings going to and fro. Baelfire isn't even in a non-magical land for decades. Rumple even runs into several of these "portal" items. Rumple makes remarks on several of these extra portals and suggest he would have tried other ways.

So, is he just overly fatalistic or just not that bright? I don't know what the writing is trying to convey. Sometimes he's super clever, but other times he seems to fall for simple things. New elements upon every season makes his ideas and plans less logical. New seasons of villainy makes him sort of just a lucky guy or sometimes just a stalwart, out of the loop villain. I like Rumple (more so than the evilll, evil Mr. Gold), but this is perplexing. 