Just had a thought. Neal and Emma hadn’t seen each other for eleven years before Manhattan, then when they were in Storybrooke they didn’t really spend that much time with each other. Neal was engaged to Tamara and did love her, yet he said “I love you” to Emma as soon as Tamara betrayed him as if he always felt that way. Whilst it could be said that Neal DID love Emma, it could be argued that the Emma Neal loved was the one he left eleven years ago. Unfortunately for Neal, Emma is not that girl anymore.
Yep, couldn’t agree more. Emma was irrevocably changed by his actions. Therefore she is not the same person. I find it hard to believe that they could still be romantically in love with each other. Love each other, sure. But IN love? No.
Yes you’re not the only one who found it weird that he told Emma that. I’m finding myself quite shocked at his current behaviour actually. All of a sudden he NEEDS to get back to Emma, because he loves her, and yet, he had his chance to do that the minute he got the postcard but was too cowardly. True Love conquers all, even fear. This just further proves to me that what Neal and Emma had was a very immature, shallow love. When did we EVER see them having an emotionally deep moment? The best I can think of is their “home” conversation. But that wasn’t really very deep to me.
The Neverland theme, and particularly Barrie’s Neverland, which we know is a story Eddy loves, is/was all about growing up. Emma’s going to leave behind the orphan and her immature love for Neal and “grow up” with Killian, JUST like Barrie’s version.
Emma may have said “I love you” back at Neal, but as Lost Girl showed, Emma says things in emotionally charged moments that she wouldn’t say under normal circumstances. In that moment, Emma may have felt like that girl again when she was about to lose Neal all over again. Hook sees Emma for the person she is now, not the girl she was eleven years ago.
Yep, spot on again! Couldn’t agree more, that’s exactly what I believe too 😉 That moment was actually mirroring the one in Tallahassee, where Neal was going to leave Emma to go to Canada to escape being imprisoned. She told him “I love you” and he said “I love you too”, and yet he eventually left her anyway. Doesn’t that sound familiar? Funny how Emma always has to say “I love you” first isn’t it? And, you betcha, KILLIAN will be the one to say it to HER first, this time around. And it’s going to happen this season.
I honestly can’t remember if I had a life before this OTP.
Keeper of Captain Swan's first kiss