AntBee, Out of the Jefferson/August possibilities, at least Jefferson had reason. The audience could at least see why he was driven mad and why he acts out of desperation. Maybe, if he dated Emma, she could get him to stop MAKING DEALS WITH REGINA THAT ARE GOING TO SLAP HIM IN THE FACE.
If there was a focus on August returning to check on his father, I could possibly like him more. Could he have checked up on Emma at some point? Nope, he returns because he is in pain (Never got over him telling Henry that he’s throwing in the towel because he’s dying, instead of this motivating him to be a hero..) He is a character depicting human failings: lying, selfish, pleasure-seeker so maybe I’m being too hard on him?
I like that idea hjbau, of having a relationship just NOT work with no one being villainized or a victim. That’s just what happens sometimes.