Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-6175354-20140325184817/@comment-5655661-20140327181255

ChocolatEyes613 wrote: Neal's arc was, first and foremost, about his relationship with his father. The whole reason the Dark Curse was originally cast. Neal served his purpose, in helping Rumplestiltskin redeem himself. That chapter of the story, is now over. There is not much more, of that story to tell.

OUaT began as, and will always be, a twist on the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs fairytale. The show is just returning to its original roots. Going by that logic, half of the characters should've been dead by now. Emma broke the Curse and that was her original purpose, Snow and Charming found each other, Rumple redeemed himself, Hook gave up on his vendetta etc. No, Neal doesn't have to die only because he served his purpose.