Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20160926013536/@comment-25926288-20160926182624

In this current season everything is indeed in redux, but it's also a storytelling stylistic choice. Now, don't mistake my use of the word redux for eveything prior though. I'll elaborate:

Rumple on a quest to choose love over power; Be with his son.

-This is revisiting a previous story arc, but trying to end with a new outcome. First was the fall and sacrifice, this should be redemption and victory.

Belle leaving Rumple for the umpteenth time.

-This isn't some narrative style but a repeated plot point and borderline cyclical character.

Although 6x01 gets a lot of flack, it's actually moving character forward (except Emma). They would have been better off not giving Emma the "walls down" arc last season to just repeat it. Truth be told, this show easily could be a solid 5 seasons if you remove some filler (ahem, season 4) and change a few things.

Once can continue for years on end, but it's clear that the writers don't plan too. With the redux mode season 6 is in, it's pretty clear they are wrapping it up. Once can't continue without these characters. Characters are an investment and the only choice then would be a spin-off, which is honestly what BRave and Frozen could have been, but it was not to be.

The writers are doing the right thing right now. Is it too late? Well, our relationship with the show is essentially Rumbelle (Rumple being the writers, we being Belle). I like to believe that there's hope.