Suraya–I think there may be something to the physical violence versus magical violence thing but really, we’ve seen Rumpel be more bloody and brutal (“cane-o-pain” anyone?). It also could be the ship thing, but there is one more element. Hook is a season 2 character.
People wanted to see their faves from season 1. MAP got a lot of hate too. Belle was introduced in S1 as was Cora. Neal turned out to be Bae, also introduced in S1. So they weren’t as “new”.
S3 will start this all over with whatever new characters come in then.
“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” -- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass