The motivation IS a mystery and I hope they at least give us a taste of it next week…if not explain it as they unravel his plan enough that the poor Hookers don’t spend the entire hiatus dreading poor Hook’s imminent demise.
I’m not sure what they’re going to do with this finale. I will say the finales are always the most challenging to timeline, though–they cram a LOT into them, and as they did tonight, bounce around a lot more in time.
The stars thing at least explains why Hook’s still breathing and Rumple didn’t race out of town before the curse came. He needs his magic to keep his magic.
Keeper of Belle's Gold magic, sand dollar, cloaks, purple FTL outfit, spell scroll, library key, copy of Romeo and Juliet, and cry-muffling pillow, Rumple's doll, overcoat, and strength, and The Timeline. My spreadsheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6r8CySCCWd9R0RUNm4xR3RhMEU/view?usp=sharing