I prefer the thought that there will be independent characters for Eric and Ariel in the future. I would rather not lump the characters together… it is okay for them to do it with GOLD/ RUMPLE but I think that should be the extent of it….. Gold is character that can run through the other stories because he is a manipulating force.
H&K has stated that they have a idea of how they want this story to play out over 5 seasons of an over arching story. The individual pieces / stories will fit with that arch. I think that is why they write filler stories and plan nuggets for the over lying story in the fillers. They have a master plan and are trying to pace each season to that plan.
That is why I think HOOK is Hook and Eric will be Erik….. hopefully never the twain shall meet. I think Ariel’s story will not be til next year.