Re: Belle

@RumplesGirl wrote:

Mmmh. Again, agree. We got some hints in Lacey that his reputation isn’t really as sinister as we might expect. He’s known for making deals. If he truly wanted to be embrace ALL the Darkness of being the Dark One, why deal? He could easily just kill someone to get what he wanted. I think Belle knew this. I think she saw that he was lonely. She says as much in Skin Deep, “Why did you want me here?” “Place was filthy” “I think you were lonely.” He didn’t really want “good help” I think he wanted someone to talk to, even if that talking to wasn’t really polite conversation.

You know, I really hadn’t thought about the deal-making aspect of the character until just now, but you bring up a lot of excellent points. There was very little he could not take by force as the Dark One, so it is interesting that he makes deals and plays games. Some of this is no doubt due to a desire to entertain himself- but I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t an aspect of (admittedly harsh) lesson teaching as well. After all, what better way to teach that magic “comes with a price” than to hand the other person an invoice?

I should probably go back and examine the episodes for a better idea of the timeline, but do we have any indication that he was a dealmaker before losing Bae? Admittedly, it wasn’t until after they were parted that he had much need for particular magical items, up until that point, it was just a matter of having influence and a place to live that wasn’t a shack. I’m wondering if the loss of Bae didn’t really hammer home the “price of magic” lesson into Rumple’s head- and he then decided that everyone else should know it as well.

I actually, really, truly hope that next season will show us a magic-less Rumplestiltskin. There seems to be this false dichotomy flying around that Rumple will have to choose between Bae and Belle (as Lacey) but I think the third option is to have Bae & Belle (as Belle) but no magic. I think they brought up the idea in the last podcast that Tamara may steal his magic from him, and I can easily see that happening (to defend Henry or otherwise). If Belle returns and she and Rumple are able to reconcile (or at least be on that path) then I think the loss of magic and fallout from that will provide some great character conflict that will keep their relationship interesting.

I’ve said this other places to some Hook fans who were really upset at Belle’s “rotten heart” comment, but I think it was A) a throw away line and B) said in the heat of the moment by Belle who was staring down the barrel of a gun and trying to escape. Hook obviously doesn’t have a totally rotten heart, that just doesn’t fit with the theme of the show. And we all know that “super powers” can be unreliable when emotions are involved. What’s more emotional than impending death and fear for your True Love?

I really do think you’re right. Belle was lashing out at Hook with the only weapon at her disposal- words.

As to the female heroism things brought up by both BAMF and Myril: I agree, but I think OUaT is the opposite of traditional “anti-feminism” in terms of fighting, power, ect. Thus far, all the big baddies who truly threaten the existence of everyone have been women: Regina, Cora, Tamara. Snow White, in the classic depiction, is really helpless. Our Snow fights, shoots arrows, deals with trolls, can kill Ogres 28 years after firing a bow! Emma Swan is the SAVIOR of an entire people not to mention just flat out awesome. Ruby isn’t just the helpless little girl in a red hood, but also a wolf who can control her powers. Even Granny is a powerhouse with her cross bow at town meetings. One thing this show gets praised for time and time is the way they’ve drawn seriously strong women characters.

This is absolutely true. As season two began and we were treated to images of Snow, Emma, Mulan and Aurora tromping through the woods, I actually say back and went “huh, that isn’t something you see every day”. This show is packed with powerful female characters, all of whom are strong, but flawed- which makes them believable as individuals. Belle is no exception to this rule.

Lol. Seriously, don’t worry about this. I’ll tell you now, we all go on tangents. And where the conversation goes, people follow. The point of this thread is to talk about anything Belle related, whether that’s Rumple and her or just her or just the idea of “Belle” in general.

I really like all your postings.

Thanks, that’s good to know. I know some forums are more particular about people remaining on topic, but it seems so tricky to keep my thoughts on track when there are so many interconnected story elements between all the characters! And uh thank you! I… clearly have lots of things bouncing around inside my head. I’m really happy to have found a place to express them with others. 😀