I just rewatched Lacey for the fifth time (feelings) and I agree with what has been said above. Rumple just looks so broken when he finds Lacey out back with Keith. His line “but that’s what you like about me, the good inside.” is just brilliantly delivered by RC, holding on to the hope of Belle was the only thing keeping him together. It’s interesting that his son doesn’t elicit the same thing. The second he realizes he’s lost Belle (for what he thinks is for good) he goes uber dark. It’s still hard to watch. It’s going to be an agonizing few episodes, if my prediction that Belle returns 21/22 is correct.
Getting back to character we hate: I still can’t decide if Keith knew what was going on. He said to Rumple before Rumple removes his tongue in SB “I didn’t know you two were still together” which makes me think that he thought that was Belle. I really dislike him. I’m good with never seeing him again.