Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-26385535-20160907041710/@comment-25926288-20161031185843

I'll give the show the benefit of the doubt. Rumple never really seemed too interested in Regina, more specifically, now. I can get if Rumple maybe had an errant thought or two, but so far in present day he was not interested (mostly because Regina was really a pain on his love life). But more troubling is EQ having the lust for Rumple. Can't say that this has any backing before this season. Yooung Regina was always pretty creeped out by him, trying to surpass him, and pretty much punish him. They've had a student-teacher, frenemy relationship each season in present day.

Rumple mentioned fondness, but it came across as "I was like a father-like figure" or "You were my favorite student". Regina seemed to have some conncection with Rumple as a (bully) mentor, or life coach. So, this budding romance seems out of nowhere. Plus, this only means that Regina (besides EQ) has the hots for Rumple, but she never seemed to show it.

The EQ vs Snow flashback at least may confirm what was sort of obvious. EQ was running after Snow far before David got his Prince on. We all knew that but we never got some close time connection besides vague stuff. Chances are they don't meet in any meaningful way because this is likely a bit before they actually meet in Snow Falls/Drifts.

Sudden Zelena helping Belle (not too bad). And Shady Blue coming back to bring the magic with her. The tree of first TL spark seems like good worldbuilding if it's not just random macguffin that doesn't tie in.