Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24589671-20141201023147/@comment-5106672-20141201170052

The Red-Orange-Fuschia-Queen wrote:

I don't like that whenever people criticise a character, they're called hates. But I agree that the blame should be placed entirely on Rumple. It's not like he's just doing things behind her back and she's turning a blind eye, this time he's actively manipulating and lying to her face. He has rassured and given her (fake) proof of his good intentions multiple times. And what's worst, he's doing so not only to keep her, but also to use her as an alibi for the things he's doing (as long as everyone thinks Belle has the Dagger, he can't be suspected). I agree with ChocolatEyes, he just doesn't deserve Belle.

I agree with you on criticising doesn't usually equals hate. I love Belle as a character, but she's just way too naive. Rumple is definitely to be blamed as Belle doesn't know the whole secret yet, but when she does learn that her husband is two timing her with evil, I hope she packs her bag, and rent a place at Granny's. Her happy ending for me right now is independence.

That's not even about her naivety, tbh. Season 2 Belle was naive, she believed in Rumple's good potential and supported that unconditionally (and Rumple did actually do things to deserve that trust). Now she's only acting on what she knows: Rumple sacrificed himself to save the town from Pan. When he came back, he went above and beyond to try and save Neal. He only did bad things because Zelena was puppet-mastering him. Then, when he was freed, she was willing to give him back the dagger but he entrusted her with it. He even went as far as to play along when she tried to use the Dagger on him. From Belle's point of view, he really has changed; she simply lacks the knowledge of all that hides behind this façade. Rumple is not exploiting her naivety, he's actively playing her like a violin by outright lying.

Then, of couse, if when she finds out she still chooses to stay with him, I'll be the first one to bitchslap her in the face to wake her up and call her guillable and naive. I used to be a fervent Rumbeller, but now I, too, think she's better off on her own. She deserves better than that.