Random opinions of one woman:
*Rumple, despite Belle’s annoying bottomless pit of blind confidence in his “pure haaaht”, is a self-serving thug who has short-lived moments of showing sparks of residual humanity. Though, as with everyone, his misery stems from childhood pain and resulting whimpy, cowardly adulthood, he has turned out to be quite the solid (and beloved!) Creep. The Darkness and Power he sought out of his cowardice has a seemingly addictive hold on his soul. Oddly enough, though, I think it is that cowardice/childhood fear and pain, that keeps him from being pure Darkness. A fascinating dichotomy. And of course in the scheme of ONCE, I love him and hope he doesn’t change!
Hook is no match for Rumple’s treacherous nastiness or power, but he is far, far braver and equally as intelligent, cunning…and driven. Hook’s weakness is the intense control his smoldering passions and emotions have over his soul and brain(!) Hook is as hard-wired fearless as Rumple is hard-wired cowardly. It makes for a very interesting head to head combat between the two.
Rumple could destroy him in an instant but I think Hook’s soul-deep strength and bravery have earned him a grudging and oddly powerful respect with The Dark One.
*I hope Belle lives up to her supposed intelligence because up to now she is looking like a real Mrs Dimwit. If they fail they are both equally to blame.
* Robin Hood? Nah. IF it plays out as teased, the whole “failed true loves kiss” with Marian completely nullifies him as a character to be taken seriously. He may end up with Regina but this whole plot line is a total failure. There are other, far more interesting stories to keep me entertained, but Mr. ONCE version Hood just been turned into rotting Sherwood Forrest tree mold.
*Neal has nothing to do with Hook’s and Emma’s relationship and can’t realistically be compared to anything they experience as lovers/partners/Soul mates/friends. He was a tormenting source of Emma’s destructive life-pain and a very sad reminder of Hook’s tortured past. They both learned and grew from their life’s connections to him and layed him to rest, respectfully and with deep feelings. The fact that some can’t maturely come to grips with that on any thoughtful level is their ignorance to bear. Trying to understand “haters” is a waste of energy that could be spent following the hope and joy and expectations of what is actually happening. Haters don’t want to be understood. They just want to live a perpetual temper tantrum.
*This forum, yes, outside of a few threads has become a KillJoy’s stomping ground. But, we all know that no one existing outside of that mindset can change the stagnant negativity or habitual state of complaining and wallowing they prefer. Our choice is the same as theirs…find and support something that makes you feel upbeat/good and go forward with it, or saturate yourself in whiney drek.
*Sunday looks like grand escapism! And some especially sweet moments for our Captain and our Savior.
***Always in search of a good flock***