Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-26159109-20170317173209/@comment-27060727-20170509001946

Wicked Wizard of the West wrote: Huh? It's weird... she must appear in the finale for the reunion or the potential final season would become meaningless... The mains who are staying might be phased out over the course of the 7th season and we'll end up with just new characters signing off the series. Like easing into a spinoff using people like Regina and Hook to try and preserve viewers at the beginning.

I believe 6x22 is intended to be looked back upon as the "series finale" for the original OUAT. They've drilled it into our heads that the "narrative is ending" and there will be a "new chapter." I don't expect the ACTUAL last episode of the series to still involve the Charming family.