Are we sure that the scenes of Lucy in the enchanted forest were real. We have this episode with Emma in the loony-bin 😉
Sure, all the other theories are good too, I just have one to add.
I am just wondering if they are keeping closer to the original story. Lucy is Henry, Henry is Emma. And Emma thought Henry needed help 😉 I am not saying the first six seasons didn’t happen, but that after Lucy found/got the book somehow, showing the real stuff of season 1-6, she had a little day dream of living with her father in the Enchanted Forest, of a Fairy-Godmother giving her advise on hope, and set off to find her father.
In this case it doesn’t require Henry knowing he had a daughter. Whether he (or his loved ones) have been cursed is totally up in the air. I don’t think it would make it impossible to explain people’s absence though. Belle could finally be traveling the world, not having left Rumple, or even taking a break, just taking an extended trip ’round the world. (Gideon is either with her, or in a fancy boarding school). Emma could be on an extended visit to her parents and brother in the Enchanted Forest. I wouldn’t say Zelena really needs an explanation. I really think I’d prefer that to them being cursed and Rumple, Hook, and Regina have to spend a whole season moving heaven and earth to save them. Move on to different/new stories, don’t *complete* retread the last 6 seasons.