Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-25926288-20160621181850

No, XXXX isn't Hook, lol. Just the shortest name of a villain, I think.

Everyone loves a good villain, sometimes more than anything else. Coming towards the sixth season of the show, we have recuring villainess, Zelena, undergoing redemption, former villainess, The Evil Queen, quasi-partaking in the scene chewery, and series villain Rumple still being the main antagonist after a rollercoaster ride.

Should everyone undergo redemption? I mean, I'd say yes, but is it interesting? Zelena, who recently grew on me, was a rather epic villainess that always kept things intriguing. However, now, she's going to be Regina 2.0 I'd assume. Hook was defanged and turned into a lost puppy dog who craves attention from Emma. Regina is a mopey child who sad that she can't get everything. Are these really what we want to see of these characters?

Besides the debateable theme of "love changes people" which was counterbalanced by Hades not changing at all, why should everyone become shells of their former selves? At times, it seems that the writers try to balance things out by having their cake and eating it too. Hook, a changed man, threatening people with violence still. Regina consorting to magical hijinks without anyone else's knowledge. But that really doesn't do much to me because it only messes up the very black and white "hero or villain" thing they are stuck with.

Rumple, on the other hand, is a villain who attempts change and reverts for sufficent, but poorly explained, reasons. I'd say he doesn't roc as he's devolved into a jerk and not the grey character that he once was.

What do you think? Should every villain of the core cast find redemption? Are you satisfied by their current portrayal? Ready for the Good Witch of the West? Feel free to comment and more! 