Board Thread:Show-Related Questions and Answers/@comment-25974054-20150105192131/@comment-1894786-20151014234740

MBrody wrote: Well, I can see Hook, as he was in the Enchanted Forest when the curse was cast. But if everyone returned to where they were before the curse was cast, Tink and Neal should have gone back to Neverland, as that is where they were before the curse was cast. (I have inferred that Neal didn't escape Neverland until the 1990s, based on his being close in age to Emma in 2001.)

I just find it weird with Neal, because he had not been a true citizen of the Enchanted Forest in two centuries. That's why I feel he could have escaped. It was everyone who was in Storybrooke when Pan cast his curse. They all had to be returned to the Enchanted Forest. Henry was immune to the Curse's Undoing because he was born in this land (no word yet on the Darlings and whether or not they even escaped beforehand), and Emma had optional immunity due to being the Savior, meaning she could've gone back if she'd wanted.

I actually believe that Henry should've been able to go back with them all anyway, and that whole "he was born here" line should've been changed to "well, he can't come back with us because I have to give him up for this to work. In any other scenario, he could." But should've, could've, would've. No point in crying over spilled milk.