Frankly, I think the show has been headed in a downward trajectory for quite a while now. The main reason I held on was my hope in Neal getting a second chance. I realize that Neal was the main reason I enjoyed parts of S2. All of my favorite episodes included Neal: “Tallahassee,” “Manhattan” and “Second Start to the Right.” The rest of S2 was just average, nothing special. S3a should have been exciting. Neal fighting to get back to Emma and Henry. Neal fighting for his second chance. Hook going head to head with Peter Pan. It was Neverland for Pete’s sake! Yet, in the end, it was a big let down. Rumple’s sacrifice proved partially in vain because Neal didn’t get that second chance at happiness. At least Belle survived. Yet, Rumple said Neal was his happy ending. No matter how much Rumple loves Belle, he’ll never get have full happiness without his son. And the fact is, Emma lost her true love. That’s the price of her being the savior. Henry doesn’t get to know his dad.
Same the Neal scenes was what excited me in Season 2. I had high hopes for season 3. It started out great. But went on a downward spiral quickly. I might be in the minority here, but I disliked that they made Peter Pan Rumple’s father. Instead of actually developing something new and utilizing established new characters, Hook, Nealfire, The Darlings, Tink and weaving it into their own mythology but keeping the essence of Peter Pan story, like they did with Snow White. Instead it was a rehash of how tough life was for Rumple. In the end he progressed and made a noble sacrifice for his son and his love. But that was tossed aside to revive him back again only to watch his son die and nullify his first sacrifice. Then push the reset button as if season 1-2 was irrelevant. *Head banging the desk* Now another villain of the season with childhood issues/related to everyone is wreaking havoc, something that was already explored with Cora and Peter Pan. I have yet to see anything new Zelena brings to the table that wasn’t just a slight modification of the previous seasons. This is why I protest by not watching it live, the shoddy writing and rehashed plots. Unless they truly do turn it around in a major way.
but i must say i feel free, im no longer craving for spoilers,
Same, I don’t feel any excited interest in the show anymore. And I don’t crave for spoilers as I use to the moment Neal got written off. I guess my craving for spoilers was due to the fact that I would hope to get a glimpse of Neal’s development. I peek in every now and then but it doesn’t gauge my interest. Even Hook sexy new look doesn’t spark anything in me.