Can we begin to unpack Neal’s reaction to Emma being magical? We’ve talked a little about this over the summer, but now would be a good time to bring it up.
So given Neal’s aversion to dark magic, how is he going to respond to Emma using dark magic with Regina? IS Emma even using dark magic? We saw that Neal used the magic orb in 3×1 to see Emma, so he’s not completely averse to using magic to help save Henry and Emma. And now that Neal is part of their lives, he’s coming to terms with Emma being the product of true love and Henry being the truest believer. I think Neal being the son of Rumple might also make him somewhat magical too. Maybe Neal can help Emma use magic without having to give into darkness? He seems to understand that once you give in, it can destroy a family, as it did when his father chose power over him.
I don’t think he likes Emma using magic but he’s holding it in for now. Maybe he realizes that to get Henry, it may be necessary. And he doesn’t want to be all preachy with Emma right now. I have to see more of his reactions with Emma using magic to gauge what he’ll do or say about it in the future.
"We were happy."
"Because... it was born out of true love."