I just can’t shake the feeling that this has something to do with Gold wanting to make amends for the hurt he caused as the DO. We know he wants to make a fresh start – and he’s always felt enormous regret and remorse for his actions.Perhaps he’s purposely bringing everyone together in some way and we’ll see him join them soon; perhaps he’s in his lab (which would mean Bobby filming indoors, which explains why we don’t have a photo of him) conjuring all this up.
This would explain why Belle doesn’t look miserable (perhaps she knows what he’s doing) and why she’s talking to the EQ, as if nothing has ever happened between them……It explains why Hook is here (probably NOT the real Hook, but for Gold that doesn’t matter; perhaps he’s just a part of Hook – the real man being in NY)