I guess I look at OUAT slightly differently, and maybe that’s why I have less issue with her portrayal in 3b. personally I was glad it wasn’t Emma who saved the day; it was the woman who essentially got them in this “mess” in the beginnng – Regina. I know a lot of people consider OUaT to be Emma’s story but I much prefer to view it as an ensemble so to have Emma not be the hero this time around, and also be able to screw everything up was ok with me. (I also don’t pay much attention to timeline so that probably helps)
The reaon the finale works for me is because we’re watching Snowing’s story through the eyes of the daughter they gave up. Imagine being able to see that. Imagine the effect it would have on you. I think Emma’s walls have been comimg down steadily so the going to NY thing seemed more of a dEfense mechanism than truth