Robert Carlyle may be back next season as Rumple in flashbacks, but Mr. Gold will be dead in the present day.
Yes it’s a way to keep him contracted but to ease up on his requirements if Bobby wanted less to do, doesn’t want to film as much, or is simply unhappy in the way some things are being told on screen. Having Rumple totally out of the flashbacks would be weird after 4 seasons of seeing how he literally knows everyone.
Hence, Belle’s love for him will live on in memory only, while her relationship with Will shall continue, having been so sanctioned by her dearly departed husband.
I have such mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the idea that the “ex” has to sanction anything makes me see Feminist Red. Belle surely doesn’t need his permission to move on. It’s nice to have his understanding and his love, but the idea that the relationship between Will and Belle (whatever I personally feel about it, see below) isn’t legitimate or real because Rumple hasn’t given his okay is rather…icky. On the other hand I’m sure it would give Belle some peace of mind to know that Rumple just wants her to be happy and has removed himself so that she can move on if she so chooses.
As for Will and Belle…yeah, I still hate this. And it’s not even because of Rumbelle at this point. It’s just because of Will/Ana. (no seriously. tell me what happened to her already)