I actually thought about a way they could return to how season 1 was, but they need to sacrifice a lot in order to do it (which will never happen).
They need to get rid of all the main characters except Emma, Henry and Regina while promoting new characters, which will be August, Lily, Maleficent , Mulan and Ruby. Snow, Charming and Rumple and Belle’s stories are done and they should just let them finish.
Hook, Zelena and Robin are underdeveloped and they just bring the story down (No more ships bullcrap).
All I want is Regina doing Mayor stuff, Emna being the sheriff and along with Henry, they help bring back the Happy endings of characters that returned from forgotten characters island.
The main overall plot would be the search for Lily’s father (which ultimately be revealed as the season big bad).
Side stories would be:
1. Developing Regina and Maleficent’s friendship.
2. Developing Emma and Lily’s friendship.
3. Developing a genuine ADULT relationship between Emma and August.
4. Mulan and Ruby’s relationship, they also help Emma with things
5. Mulan unresolved feelings for Aurora.
6. Regina actually atoning for her sins, bring in characters that she actually has to apologize and maybe help them get THEIR happy ending.
7. Developing a real a genuine ADULT relationship between Regina and Archie.
8. Maleficent making amends with Aurora.
"All your questions are pointless"