Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-26159109-20151023040541/@comment-6175354-20151023172752

Hmcooper4 wrote: Maybe this is why Dark Swan needs Gold to become a hero. She needs Gold to defend her From Killian, since she knows that Killian is the one who gets Excalibur, and with Excalibur he will do whatever it takes to remove the darkness from his love. The only way I can see Hook using Excalibur to kill Emma, is if she asks him to. However, you are probably correct as to why the Dark Swan needs a "hero".

While it would be a bold move, to have Emma die in the winter finale. I feel like the arc has been setting up, for Regina be to the one dying.