Reply To: Emma + Baelfire = Swanfire

[Slurpeez]

kfchimera wrote: Yes, I’m on the fence too.  It could be a set up to just hand-waive away previous development and create a whole new dynamic between everyone.  The part that’s most thought provoking here is that “not everyone can be trusted”.   What to make of that? Once again, no mention of Neal.   We never get the assurance that Neal and Emma will have scenes together and time to truly deal with the things that have happened to them–some fairy tale obstacle is always in the way.  I’m trying to take Slurpeez’s words and kindle that flame of hope that the writers will not just do a rug sweep here and that there will be some payoff to the storyline and all the set-up with things like putting Emma in NYC, having her keep the bug, and other elements.

While I see your point that this could be a major shift by making Hook the main male protagonist, I honestly think that is too obvious; that’s what A&E almost want people to think, because they enjoy trickery. In S3, it seems like Hook has been rewritten and his history rewritten, and yet PP, Charming and Regina have been quick to remind  Hook in S3 he’s done these dark things like leaving the town for dead and letting GOAT torture Regina. Also, I think that the lack of mention of Neal is actually a positive sign that he’s going to play a big role in S3b, which is why Jane Espenson, Adam and Eddy haven’t said much about him: his story arc is going to be big by the end of the season. I just don’t think A&E would kill off Neal, whose name means champion and who is a beloved character of their own creation–the character for whom Rumple cast the original dark curse. To do so would be a nail in coffin, not just for Bae’s second chance at happiness, but would also take away Rumple’s, Henry’s and arguably Emma’s chances at happiness, too, in one fell swoop. I think Hook has been built up as Mr. Wonderful this year as a deliberate misdirection; while he may make the ultimate heroic sacrifice, I think his journey there won’t exactly be a straight and narrow one.