Either way, let’s just say this is yet another case where the writing wasn’t clear enough.
While I agree that the writing might not be clear in some cases, the *visual* aid here is. He flat lined. In our world, this land without magic where the Evil Queen doesn’t know what will actually happen to Henry, that’s dead.
I think because he died from magic, a curse, the kiss worked. Death was the consequence of the curse. The curse itself was broken, bringing henry back to life
Yup. And I know I’m broken record by there is a reason why Emma is called “the Savior” and not something less religiously charged. Yes it informs her own character journey (Emma will die at some point, I fully believe that) but it also helps us understand what her role is to the others. In media (like TV) the Savior archetype or Messianic archetype is an echo of Christ. And part of that is the idea of resurrection because of love.
And I’m totally not trying to force Christian belief on anyone (I’m not a big believer) but if you want a Biblical parallel here:
Death is a consequence of sin (the Curse that broke happy endings) that was only overturned by an act of pure love, ie: Jesus Sacrifice (Emma’s TLK) which will, in the end times, result in resurrection of the deserving (Henry wakes up)