But, Rumple/Gold could also end up the evil/villian, horrible mass murderer of babies and children on the series and I would probably still love him because he’s Robert Carlyle!!
Basically this 100% accurate. 🙂 I would even find someway to justify it, I’m sure. Like “Well, he was really upset when he did all these horrible things so really it’s ok!” Whereas with Regina, it’s all, “gosh. I hope someone throws you off a tower…”
You mentioned the Dark One so it got me thinking: I wonder if the dagger is somewhere in SB. In his shop? Or maybe that’s what he was hiding in the woods when Graham stumbled upon him. Or maybe it’s in the mine along with Snow White’s coffin and that odd swirling vortex of terror….
Also, how long has he known that’s he is really Rumple? Did it happen when Emma showed up or has he always known and just bided his time, waiting for her 28th birthday? I’m inclined to believe the latter because I think he found someway to be unaffected by the Dark Curse, but Regina is unaware of this.