Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-25926288-20170320114658/@comment-25926288-20170320122047

I agree with it not being in continuity with what Rumple said. I'd even think it was simply OOC if they didn't lay heavy clues about the Dagger (retcon). Sort of like whomever wrote it did not know how the dagger has been presented. My theory about the dagger I think can stand (90%) of what the show presents, but it's not fact or canon, just my theory.

Clues that showed where they were going with the "Dagger":

1. White Hand of Saruman plastered on the ogres. (Lord of the Rings)

2. Baelfire's eventual change in demeanor.

Brandon did a good job showing a relatively quick change in demeanor, even others thought he could play a hobbit, before the later scenes (in a live discussion).

These pretty much tell me that whomever wrote this equated the Dark One's dagger to the One Ring of LOTR. I can buy it corrupting its pure-hearted wielder and I can fully support my own theory, but I can admit they were trying hard to push this narrative. So, within these "rules" of the Dagger, Baelfire was in character, just heavily influenced by the Dagger's magic. I'll post my theory elsewhere as it isn't factual (yet; you just know they'll confirm it via twitter XD)