It really does sound like so much is hinging on the contracts of some of the leads. Rebooting a show that has been established for several seasons, to the point where ratings are already dipping, with a new crew is extremely hard (look at current show Sleepy Hollow that had a pretty big shake up at the end of its third season—even though lead actor stayed on, it didn’t help the floundering ratings). I’m starting to seriously wonder if this whole “Gideon killing Emma” plot was really a precaution in case JMo doesn’t sign. If she doesn’t sign–Emma will die a Savior’s death and S7 is about recovering from that. If she does sign–Emma defeated fate and S7 is the big end to it all.
I don’t think they’ll kill Emma at all. They may pull a Vampire Diaries on her though. Like she’ll be whisked away to another land or cursed and S7 is about everybody trying to find her. I doubt that Emma is actually going to die. If she does die the show is dead. Killing her off will be fatal to the show, she’s the foundation of the show. Plus it would be absolutely contradicting the message of “hope” cause Emma deserves a happy ending more than anyone. TBH though I do believe JMO is definitely a lock for next season, we just have to see what happens. She definitely sounds a lot more hopeful than Bobby did. The show can survive without Rumple, the show cannot survive without Emma, period. Snowing, Hook, Henry, etc would not get a happy ending if Emma dies. It’s also cruel to dangle a CS engagement and then not follow through. These writers are stupid but they’re not that stupid IMO. Digitalspy also did not included JMO’s quotes about how she has no interest in abandoning the character and that she has hope for a S7.
They have been contradicting “the message of hope” since season 3 though.
In addition, I don’t undrstand the idea of “the show can’t survive”. It is pretty much probable that season 7 will be the last, with or without Emma.
"All your questions are pointless"