Would you have NOT wanted them to include Neal in Emma’s memory box? Would you rather NOT see Emma/Regina’s friendship grow if it’s not going to turn romantic? Woudl you NOT want to see Emma did put the shoelace back on?
My issue is not in the seeing. Unquestionably, pulling the photo from the box was the highlight of the episode but none of it was organic and natural. And I think it’s incredibly clear that it won’t continue into the next few episodes. It didn’t even continue to the rest of THIS episode. The Emma/Regina one they will continue to try (but it was super problematic with the way it was presented, if you haven’t read @Myril’s reading of it in the fav thread). But not Neal or Graham. Emma will never get to talk about her feelings over holding her once true love in her arms as he died. This was a close as the writers were going to get and it was only to make everyone shut up.
So while I loved the moment, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth becuase the they Jedi Mind Tricked me and I know it will have zero follow through.