Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24686149-20141111045226/@comment-24674051-20141112195224

Well, I for one don't want to see any of the MBC die at this point.

Now, I do see a scenerio where, in a couple of seasons (Maybe the last), Belle dies, and Rumple then sets off on everyone. He could be the last Big Bad. and the last episode he is killed, because all magic comes with a price.

The hitch on the killing. Prior to that, he does finally break free of the Dagger's hold. He has his power, and can not be controlled any more. The cost... He's no longer invincibile. Normal means will affect him. And in poetic justice, it should be Hook that kills Rumple as he tries to destroy Emma, by slamming his hook home.

To answer the original question, yes he is on a dark path, and probably will not be redeemable. His whole purpose in life up to this point was Bae. He became the Dark One to Protect Bae, He spent 300 +/- years trying to find and reunite with Bae,  He gave his life to protect Bae. When Bae sacrificed himself, everything that Rumple wanted was sacrificed with him. And I don't see his love for Belle pulling him out of the spiral. In fact, it will probably be that love that finally drives him over the edge (see above)