Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-28162607-20170103120839/@comment-24674051-20170103183833

I am not going to even discuss the math and age issue. To me there is no issue, even if Emma is 16. Neal is who knows how old, but he spent most of that time in Neverland and not growing up, so that when he actually arrived in the US after being in neverland, he was still the 14-15 year old boy that he was when he left the Darlings. (Ok, a little math...) so, even if it took 8 years for him to learn his tricks, he would be only 22-23 years old. (and the MRJ is much older than that). a 23 year-old with a 16-year old is a little creepy, maybe, but not totally out of line. Even if Neal leaves Neverland just before the casting the Dark Curse (which is a distinct possibility), he's going to be at most 32. Now, I will agree a 32 year old with a 16 year old is stretching things in terms of what we might consider normal, but I would accept even that, given some people that I know that have been in similar circumstances. Bottom line is that Emma's age is simply not an issue as far as I'm concerned.

Having said that, Everyone seems to harp on Neal dumping Emma. But let's look at that situation. Neal is enjoying his time with Emma, and they are both considering moving to Canada with the stolen watches. Suddenly, August shows up and talks to Neal, reveals to Neal all of the information about who Emma really is and what she needs to do. Neal agrees to step aside to allow 'fate' to continue, but he was not happy about that decision, and that is made clear in the show. If anyone is to blame for what happened to Emma fter she met Neal it is August, not Neal.

And Emma straightening up after Neal leaving is not an accurate picture, either. Emma was still on the run 9 years later, evading parole, when she was captured by Cleo Fox. it was only after that encounter that she veered more toward the "straight and narrow", which led to what we saw back in the pilot.