Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24589671-20141215020437/@comment-25703308-20141216043837

Because if Regina went with them she'd want Henry and Henry would want Emma and the Charmings wouldn't let Emma leave alone, Hook too and then before you know it everyone is out of town and Belle has no reason to send Rumple out.

Also, if Rumple is officially the big bad, I wonder what's gonna come for him after Season 4. They surely won't kill him, so how can you redeem a turn like that?