GUYS.
A&E have a story to tell. A story they set out from the beginning… one that has pieces dropped in the Pilot, 1.5 seasons before it really began play out on screen. They have a plan, they have foresight, there is a predetermined arc here. They have put an immense amount of planning into telling this story, they’re not just going to cut it off at the knees.
Remember how they were displeased people figured out Neal = Baelfire (arguably one of the story’s biggest surprises?) Don’t you think they have learned from that – perhaps it behooves them to issue some misdirection towards their overly active fanbase?
They put the spoiler of doom out there… a move that, if I understand correctly, is rather out of character. They knew it would work the fans into a tizzy. Furthermore, they know who the fans believe it to be!! It is most advantageous for them to capitalize on that… for the die-hards to go, “Aha, we know exactly what’s going to happen,” only to serve them up something that is nothing like what they expected. Which creates more buzz – “Yep, that went down just as I though,” or fans going to work on Monday and going, “OMG, did you see Once last night?! I totally didn’t see that coming!”
What we see from outside the show is fully intended to create buzz for the show itself, to get fans to tune in. A&E know they are working with a very devoted, introspective fan base who thinks they can suss everything out. Something tells me everything that is being done at present is being done to prove the fanbase wrong… JMO. I won’t panic until I see it on my screen.
(Yeah. The rose-colored googles are attached with superglue.)
Cause this story needs some mending & a better happy ending...