The drop is very disappointing but not surprising.
Last week’s episode may have put off a lot of viewers, including hard core fans, and they may have thrown in the towel. The part I am talking about is Hook being Charming’s father’s killer. I imagine most of the viewers are now the hard core fans, and most of these seem to be Captain Swan shippers. Meanwhile, among the casual viewers, Some people may be thinking that it is too much last-minute drama re: Captain Swan, others might think that the plot point is too melodramatic, and others again might be wanting for their HE to come quicker seeing as this show is about hope. Audience members looking for a show about hope may have also been disappointed by Regina getting tortured again via WWW! Robin not being interested in her…..
….Not to mention him being coming through the portal was not given a decent enough explanation. OUAT regularly provides hand-wavy explanations for magical and non-magical events, but this was by far one of their most gust-creating hand-flaps to date.
Keeper of Regina's bravery