That’s another thing. Emma doesn’t show her emotions very often. Remember, she has those walls? So when she does have a very emotional scene on the show, it tends to be a big deal.
Last season in Lady of the Lake, the scene in the nursery between her and Snow, where she realized that her parents do love her…honestly? that was the first time I cried watching this show.
When she cried twice over Neal this season, both times, it wasn’t ‘OMG, I can’t live without him.’ Instead, it was her realizing how clinging to that love has held her back and that’s not something she wants anymore. That’s why it bothers me when I see stuff like, ‘she’s running away from her feelings.’ Because she’s already faced her feelings for Neal. Twice.
And Adam and Eddie have said about Neverland, it’s a place because you have no future, you face your past. That’s exactly what happened to Emma. She faced her past (Neal) and wants to move on from him and face her future (Killian).