There are a lot of big problems but one of the biggest is that I don’t think the writers even know what their show is. They offer up platitudes about hope, love, family, and happy endings but everything they show is in direct contrast to that. How is Robin (and Neal) dying and leaving behind children about hope, love, family, and happy endings? How is Regina never getting to be reunited with her soul mate about hope? How is rewarding a murderer many times over with a second life for doing an over emphasized good work a message about redemption? The writers don’t actually sit with their broad themes and muse on them. They just put them out there as things that you’re supposed to be getting from their show but never pausing to actually consider if their narrative is an accurate reflection of that. It’s like…as long A and E keep giving their song and dance routine about hope, they believe you won’t notice the rooms on fire and there’s no water in sight.
Problem is they aren’t ready to end the show just yet, and they need drama. They can’t give everyone their happy ending and have all the hope finally pay off just yet. Then the show would be over. All of these themes should pay off in the end when everyone’s story has ended. But it’s a tough road in life and you gotta get there. I think it’s unfair to say that they are sending the wrong messages. Let’s see what the final message is when the show is done. If we get to the end of the show, and Regina is still alone and miserable, well yeah that’s a big problem considering what the show has preached all these years. But guys we aren’t there yet.