Board Thread:News and Announcements/@comment-29413451-20160802114940/@comment-24386552-20170102155805

Yeah, he's not really drawing people in on a writing front. If anyone can truly pit his arcs and content over Rumple's and say it's greater, they have to use literally everything because there is just something missing. Like they forgot he was going to be huge, but still glorified him and Emma in S5. I never really understood their love story. It felt too present and the conflict lacks that idea of truly lost hope. Rumbelle lost their way, Snowing did too, and even small stories like Red. She ate her boyfriend and found out her life was a lie. Now she's a lesbian (Though I personally think she's pansexual) and her partner is someone we never really cared for, and this was all out of left field. Although one could make the case there was something between her and Belle during S2.

Yesterday, I rewatched the early season episodes and still am blown away by the writing, acting, and stories because they established a ground for their empire to be built. It has been slowly falling apart, though I think S6 is restoring it a tiny bit. Red-Handed was amazing. The Stable Boy was amazing. And Manhattan was gritty and refined. Maybe people can't stand it because they don't like Rumple or because Emma got hurt, but it truly did shape the series for the better.

If the series got back to these kind of moments again, it could end as great as it started. Amd I do see your point on the Hyde and Jekyll story. Though it still would've been nice to see more growth and development.

I also wonder had Hook and Belle left on their own adventures/sacrifices, how many people would so badly want them to return. Like Hook sailing off to wherever (like a bittersweet end to a movie) and Belle sacrificing herself to the darkness instead of Emma at the end of S4.