*Sigh* Okay, okay, you do have a point. I’ve said myself I wish A&E would tread more carefully with how dark they take Rumple now, because it does make Belle look like a fool after a while. Even Emilie has commented that Belle is awfully forgiving. But I just can’t get myself to jump ship and give up on them. They are Beauty and the Beast, and I still want a happy ending for them. I just hope they find a way of doing it that doesn’t involve Belle looking stupid because that would make me very sad.
I disagree that the back and forth thing is unrealistic and a lack of character development though…real addicts are like that too- my dad is a psychiatrist and has written a whole book on family dysfunction. I think them never sliding back at all would be unrealistic. I think it shows character growth that he at least attempted to give Belle the real dagger, even if it was under shady circumstance. And Regina has definitely changed! She decided not to go back and murder Marian because she saw herself as she was and didn’t like it- that’s huge for her!