Hook is changing as a character. Yes, he’s a little lost right now. Yes, he’s letting Emma bash on him right now. And with good reason. What is Emma’s biggest fear? Being abandoned. Who has abandoned her? Pretty much everyone, except Henry. Hook knows this, and knows he loves Emma, so if being her punching bag for a while so she can see he’s not going to abandon her as well is what she needs, then that’s what he’ll be. That’s not going soft. That’s doing everything in your power to show the person you love that they are going to be there, supporting and sacrificing, because that’s what it means to love. He may seem like a puppy right now, but he’s only in the middle of his story. And right now, by doing the exact thing he needs to do to show the person he loves that he is there supporting her makes him look weak, then so be it – but knowing and doing what he needs for that person is not weak – it’s strength. Is it fun to watch? Eh, I’d love for Hook to turn around and give Emma as good as he gets. But in giving in to that desire would give him temporary satisfaction, and be much weaker than what he is doing now.
(Edit – I had to switch from the phone to the laptop – I hate typing on that thing!)
Take Rumple – now, I love the Dark One. He is so much fun to watch. Bobby’s amazing with him…but from a character perspective, did he backslide last ep by ‘killing’ the WW? Yes, indeed. Most of the things he’s done in life has the correct motivation – his son. He even became the Dark One for his son, so he wouldn’t be a coward anymore. However, becoming the Dark One didn’t make him more powerful – it was the most cowardly action he’s taken yet. And doing the things he’s done to get back to his son? Powerful, indeed. But, would Baelfire condone it? No. Because that’s not who Baelfire is. Bae would have rathered his father be seen as ‘weak’ than become the Dark One, rather Rumple lose his powers to start over in a new world than be stuck in their homeland with magic corrupting his father. Would Neal be proud that his father killed the WW? No. He would be ashamed. So…the Dark One is fantastically fun to watch and if that’s the argument, I say whatever motivation he needs to make the Dark One deliciously fun is, I’ll sit back and enjoy the ride. But from a character perspective, he may be able to do the most powerful of things, but he is still weakest at heart because he relies on the Dark to attempt to achieve goals you can really only achieve when you accept the Light.
And…now it’s time for the child to nap. I’d have to think harder to argue any Regina points, anyway. 🙂 But there’s my 2 Hook/Rumple cents for what it’s worth!!
Happy OUAT DAY everyone!!!