I tend to agree, though I know why they did it. They needed Bae’s “death” to shake Rumple in a way that nothing ever could, and for that to happen he first had to fall into a really bad place emotionally, going super dark. I was convinced until about two days before Lacey aired that the persona of Lacey would only be around for that episode, that Belle would get her memories back in 19. I wonder if it would have played better had they introduced Lacey earlier in the season, had Regina not waited until episode 19 to inflict the curse persona on her. But the question is : when? Had they done it earlier, that phone call would not have happened and I wouldn’t trade that phone call for anything.
I’m really happy Belle’s back and I don’t need to see Lacey ever again, really, but I’m sure now that they are both, our Belle will be a bit different.