That’s true but that means (to me) that he’s reducing Belle to a helpless figure. Those things that happened to Belle were terrible but Regina and Hook were still on the warpath against Rumple. The sad fact is, we don’t know what Zelena wanted after she was powerless. Regina offers her a second chance but we’ll never know if she was capable of accepting it.
Rumple tends to be overprotective of those he loves, because he is afraid to lose them. That’s one of his flaws. And at the moment, Belle is the only one he has left, so no wonder if he’s behaving a bit.. paranoid.
Oh for sure it’s a long story. And yes I suppose there is something to be said about couples having secrets from each because knowing everything might be a strain. But this isn’t a wild college party or something–we don’t know how much murder, manipulation, ect Rumple was doing in the past. And he never wanted to tell her about Milah, Hook did that (and Belle barely blinked but maybe we’ll have that for her thread when we get to it). She loves the part of him that belong to the darkness, but she’s more or less in the dark about the level of darkness.
What ever Rumple has done in the past, he obviously isn’t proud of it and is feeling guilty/remorse. Imo that’s all that matters. What’s done can’t be undone..
If he was gloating over his deeds and didn’t show any guilt, then there certainly would be a problem.
Well this I absolutely agree with. I know it’s hard to tell right now, but I used to be one of Rumple’s biggest defenders
I still am but am slowly becoming disillusioned about the writers ever pushing him past his insecurities and his fears. He needs to believe that he can have a happy ending but it might not look like what he thought–Neal and Belle. I had hoped that loosing Neal would make him want to be an even better man–try to really heal and fight for his happy ending because that’s what Neal would want. Loosing your child is going to suck everyday for the rest of your life, but I wanted him to grieve, to rage at the world, to visit the grave, to seek solace in Belle’s arms…but to not murder because THAT’s respecting Nealfire.
If it had been only the death of his son, I would agree with you. But what Rumple went through was much worse. First he dies to save his son, to give him a chance at happiness. Then he is brought back against his will, at the expense of his son’s life. That’s perhaps the worst thing that can happen to a parent.. and as if that were not enough, he ends up being a puppet to the murderer of his son, and is mentally abused for several months..
That doesn’t justify Rumple’s actions, but I definitely understand him.
As for Rumple overcoming his fears and insecurities.. obviously it’s going take some time (which I think is just realistic), but I do believe that’s the goal with him, and it will be achieved by the end of the series.
He would then be the tragic character, the fallen angel. The one who tried but didnt make it… Or maybe that kind og story would be too dark and grimm for a Family show, but I would like it
I find this just depressing. I may or may not be biased, but as a someone who is also struggling with self-esteem issues I really hope Rumple will succeed, as unlikely as it may seem..