Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20170320005548/@comment-24674051-20170322044341

From what I recall over the years, Rumple does a lot of what I would call "ordinary magic" without the dagger. He only uses the dagger for important magic. things like summoning the hat, performing the 'cleaving ritual', and the like. Back in his early days, he may have felt the need to use the dagger as a crutch, until he became more confident in his magic.

Also, given what the dagger represents, it was probably not uncommon for him to have it on his person when travelling. Rumple has trust issues, and not without reason. In Storybrooke, he keeps it locked in a safe much of the time, but most of the people in SB are not going to go looking to mess with Rumple, out of a combination of fear and respect (mostly fear, though). He took it with him to Neverland (only to have his Shadow hide it), and he took it to the Underworld.

Anyway, overall, I was a little disappointed with the episode. While I understand the whole Bae situation, and agree that it makes sense, I still felt that it lessened the memory of Bae. just my opinion. It was nice, though, to actually see Rumple take to the Battlefield and destroy the Ogres. And it was even nice to see Beowulf remind everyone that Rumple was a coward that had run, or rather hobbled, from the battlefield previously and was not the hero everyone was making him to be. (though to be fair, I think Beowulf's pride was blinding him, and in this one case Rumple really was the hero of the day).

I also am a little concerned with Belle's attitude. "You darkened your soul to protect Gideon's". And she was Ok with that? Belle should not be one that accepts that the ends justifies the means. Although I get the whole "I'd do anything to protect my family", is that the type of hero Belle is?

On the other hand, the development of Gideon is leaving room for him to still have some good in him, and that he has a chance to avoid the need for redemption. He's not quite the villain yet, though he is currently in one of the antagonistic roles (along with Queenie and BF). I think I see them changing the direction for the character and having him ultimately end up on the "good" side.

Stray thoughts -

1 This is the second episode where we've had almost no screen time for Emma. Zelena actually had more screen time this week.

2. I did not like the whole proposal scene. I would have prefered for Hook to follow through and tell Emma about Robert and his part in Robert's death. Again, just my opinion, but that was poorly done.

3. The curse at the town line. That is one of the most plot-driven devices on the show. It's conveniently there when they need it, and just as conveniently not there when they need it not to be. One time, it erased your real memories, another time it turns you into a tree, still another time it is just a one-way door. They really need to find more consistency with how that works.

4. the Return of Queenie, just in time for the gunfight at the OK corral. I have a feeling that showdown will be ugly. Although, I really hope that after next episode we don't have to deal with Queenie any more, and any future appearances of the Evil Queen are simply flashbacks (and really, we don't even need too many of those any more, her story has been fleshed out sufficiently).

Others will probably come as I reflect on the episode more. (and have time, since I just started a new job and have much less time to come here).