Rumple's mask

From 404: “The Dark One lies, the Dark One tricks.”

Actually felt a bit odd to see Mr. Gold sing-songing but it’s RC telling us how Rumple is channeling that mask for a moment.

And it’s a contrast to how Rumple sees the man under the mask. Remember 204? “I don’t lie.” With utter confusion as to how his actions/words could be seen as a lack of honesty.

I’ve said elsewhere that his lying to Belle and Emma outright is somewhat of an exception to his usual methods of omission and obfuscation; generally he DOES tell people the price and some form of the truth (but always in a way that preys upon their desperation and benefits him in the end). But he has lied outright plenty of times, like in 122 when he tells Emma that Regina broke the elevator and took off so that he can get the egg with the TL potion inside.

So I think his wording here is really important: The Dark One lies. When he’s behind the mask, it’s okay–because it’s not truly him. We saw him use the mask in Neverland to give himself courage. I’m wondering if some of the backsliding we’re seeing is his using the mask of the Dark One to convince himself what he’s doing is okay.