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I don’t think it’s that the writers don’t care about Belle, I think they haven’t fleshed her out as well as other regulars. I’m betting they have much of the entire series plotted out and have for some time. Belle, technically, was only supposed to be in two episodes. When Emilie’s pilot wasn’t picked up and her schedule was cleared, A&E picked her up as a regular because she was a huge fan favorite. Only problem is, they don’t know what to do with her now. Which is very unfortunate because again, she’s a huge fan favorite and Emilie is capable of doing a lot more than what they’ve given her so far.
I think, though, that they did a pretty good job starting to show Neal and Rumple trying to reestablish their relationship and now with Rumple gone, I’m betting that’s what much of Belle and Neal’s storyline is this season. The thing that bothers me is like RG said, A&E like the ‘big picture’ and have brought in a big bad for S3B. While I think they could write a very compelling Belle & Neal lead the charge to save Rumple storyline and have it be the major arc, I’m guessing it won’t get as much time as the WW. As much as I look forward to the WW, honestly, I would rather see a season based on Belle & Neal finding Rumple and those inter-relationships developing. One thing that gives me hope, though, is that A&E have mentioned S3B will bring in a “new” way of storytelling, so I’m realllly hoping that means fleshing out these characters more and telling the smaller, more personal stories. A girl can hope!
[adrotate group="5"]I think since season 3 didn’t introduce loads of new characters, the story was able to focus more on the key characters, including Belle. She may not be in as many episodes as we would’ve liked so far but what she has done in her scenes has been important. With Rumple’s redemption arc coming up, I’m optimistic that Belle will get more screentime and be more important to the plot especially as the Neal/Rumple relationship is going to be on screen more.
All magic comes with a price!
Keeper of FelixI don’t think it’s that the writers don’t care about Belle, I think they haven’t fleshed her out as well as other regulars. I’m betting they have much of the entire series plotted out and have for some time. Belle, technically, was only supposed to be in two episodes. When Emilie’s pilot wasn’t picked up and her schedule was cleared, A&E picked her up as a regular because she was a huge fan favorite. Only problem is, they don’t know what to do with her now.
I agree. I think they wanted to keep Emilie around, especially with the success of Skin Deep, but she had prior commitments. When her pilot wasn’t picked up, they snatched her for ONCE before she went elsewhere. But they had built this interesting story for Belle–held captive by Regina, no SB life, previous encounter with Hook–and swept it aside because it was like they didn’t know what to do with it. When Emilie was just going to be a one off, they could build her story as interesting like that because they’d never have to flesh it out. But then they got her and had no idea how to flesh out Belle while dealing with their larger picture which was, for S2A, Cora and Hook.
I have high hopes that 3B is different, but I’m expecting it become the Belle show, either. And I know that’s not what Betsy is arguing. I do know that you’re noting making a stance for that. And I’m sure we’ve all seen the graph of 3A showing who got the most screen time over the first 11 episoes and Belle’s is woefully sad. But I think 3B is going to be two fold: The WWW vs Regina and the Charmings; and Belle trying to find Rumple again with help from Neal. And they all arrive back in SB just in time for the big showdown.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"But I think 3B is going to be two fold: The WWW vs Regina and the Charmings; and Belle trying to find Rumple again with help from Neal. And they all arrive back in SB just in time for the big showdown.
This is what I’m hoping they mean with all the “new” way of storytelling stuff…they don’t need to have every character on the same 1 adventure, cutting out others almost completely — hopefully we get 2 arcs that get similar amounts of attention – and hopefully these are those 2 arcs! I liked S3A but this would make me very happy during S3B! Haha, I want to see Belle and Neal’s “so…your my dad’s girlfriend…Yeah, so I’m still about 200 years older than my future stepmother” conversation. tee hee. But honestly, it would be excellent screen time for Belle and Neal, both of whom need more than the bit they got in S3A.
That’s ok, we can agree to disagree. I just don’t think A/E like Belle, that won’t change. She gets the most pathetic amount of screen time ever and I do think that the only reason they brought her on is because she/Rumbelle were so popular. Emilie has even said she was only supposed to be in 1 episode.
I’m not asking for this to become the Belle show (RG, I know you know that I’m not pushing for that). There’s a middle ground between what Snowing has individually and basically zilch, which is what Belle has. I’m really surprised, honestly, that Emilie is ok with this arrangement. She’s an actor, she has to want to work; I assume she does want to work. If she’s happy, that’s great, but I do often wonder why she stays when most of her time is spent off-set NOT working. Jenna, Emilie is fantastic actress, just fantastic. Look at how incredible she is against Bobby – and that’s not easy. She can do anything – and frankly, IMO, she’s wasted on this show. At times I wish Emilie would quit and let the show try and work around her, if they were interested.
I admit, I’m a pessimist so take my comments with a huge grain of salt. They completely cut the family reunion scene in New Neverland; seriously? They took the drama out of it completely, with Belle acting like it was no big deal that Bae was alive and both acting like good friends already. I would love to see these two bond, but I just don’t see it. Between trying to win people over by using Oz and the WW and pushing Regina Hood, then with Emma/Hook, etc….well I just forsee Belle as getting her usual 5 minutes of screen time per half season (aside from her episode)
RG, I think not allowing Belle a few minutes to confront Regina and Hook is an utter disgrace; she doesn’t have to spend episodes harping on it, but she deserves to take back her life from them. They deserve to know what they did to her. It’s just one in a million different ways that Belle is treated like the invisible woman on the show.
I’m sorry, I’m not trying to bring people down……..I just adore Emilie, I adore Belle (Rumbelle is for another thread, lol) and it hurts to see them not get their due. Oh and RG, the toys off the shelf problem was an issue in S2, which they tried to rectify in S3……but I see that they haven’t learned their lesson. Rapunzel? WW? Many more characters in Oz? Not a promising sign.
LOL I don’t trust Adam and Eddy as far as I can throw them, so their “compelling new storytelling” does little for me except make me roll my eyes
I’m not asking for this to become the Belle show (RG, I know you know that I’m not pushing for that). There’s a middle ground between what Snowing has individually and basically zilch, which is what Belle has. I’m really surprised, honestly, that Emilie is ok with this arrangement. She’s an actor, she has to want to work; I assume she does want to work. If she’s happy, that’s great, but I do often wonder why she stays when most of her time is spent off-set NOT working. Jenna, Emilie is fantastic actress, just fantastic. Look at how incredible she is against Bobby – and that’s not easy. She can do anything – and frankly, IMO, she’s wasted on this show. At times I wish Emilie would quit and let the show try and work around her, if they were interested
I think Emilie has probably had a lot of talks with A and E. I think she knows that her main story is not Belle, an individual, but as Rumple’s true love. They treated her well on LOST but Claire was never the focus either, and she even left for a whole season so it’s not as if she doesn’t know that this happens. But unlike, say Meghan Ory, Belle is undeniably tied to one of the leads. I do agree that there needs to be some middle ground; I referred to the graph of S3A screen time and Belle’s numbers are very sad. She only had like 30 mins (?) and the second lowest, Nealfire, had about 55 mins. So that’s a pretty big gap. And then the top, Regina, has like 105(?).
RG, I think not allowing Belle a few minutes to confront Regina and Hook is an utter disgrace; she doesn’t have to spend episodes harping on it, but she deserves to take back her life from them. They deserve to know what they did to her. It’s just one in a million different ways that Belle is treated like the invisible woman on the show.
Oh I don’t disagree with you. I kinda want a big showdown myself. But I also think that every character on this has so much drama with the others that we don’t need external big bad anymore. It’s time to move past that. Like I’ve said many times, my number 1 dream for this show is an episode called “Kitchen Table” where they literally just sit for 42 mins and TALK.
Oh and RG, the toys off the shelf problem was an issue in S2, which they tried to rectify in S3
They did try to rectify in S3A. but only one of the new characters–PP–got fully formed in any way. I’m still really confused about the whole “no scenes between PP and Tink” stuff cause talk about not making sense….
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"I’m sure she’s aware of that as well, RG, but still, I can’t believe she didn’t expect to work more than she has. The problem with her being tied to Gold is that they are never together, their stories are never together. So, while she’s tied to him, she’s never involved in stories with him. I hate to say this, I really do, but she is a plot device. Unlike some Belle fans, I’ve never had a problem with her being part of Gold’s storyline, furthering his redemption arc – I’ve found it beautiful and gorgeous how she loves and supports him, how her faith in him gives him faith in himself. The problem is that she’s stuffed in a hospital or otherwise disappears into some dark corner of SB until she’s needed. I don’t think Belle really needs to be a regular character, truthfully, and sometimes I wish she wasn’t, so I could just relax and not have any expectations. However, I could never wish for this because it would mean Emilie losing her job…..and no way would I root for that.
Remember when Belle was actually going to open the library? It would be nice if she would still end up doing that…….but I doubt it, lol.
I LOVE your idea……they should all go on a talk show…Jerry Springer? LOL with all the magic they can do, it would make the old days of throwing chairs seem like child’s play lol.
Tink and Ariel were great, and I love AriBelle friendship, but Pan was the only ever meant to have a deeper storyline, so ……….
The problem with ONCE, one of many, is that the premise is fabulous and it’s extremely tempting to want to use as a many characters as possible…..I really thought that season 3B would be about returning normalcy to SB and focusing on relationships. I would much rather have seen that than what we’re going to get
I hate to say this, I really do, but she is a plot device. Unlike some Belle fans, I’ve never had a problem with her being part of Gold’s storyline, furthering his redemption arc – I’ve found it beautiful and gorgeous how she loves and supports him, how her faith in him gives him faith in himself. The problem is that she’s stuffed in a hospital or otherwise disappears into some dark corner of SB until she’s needed.
I actually agree with you. While Emilie is a great actress, I think that Belle’s role is really to serve as Rumple’s moral center. But like you I don’t have a huge problem with that. Belle is my favorite Disney princess, but here on ONCE, while I do LOVE Belle and LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Rumbelle, this iteration of Belle isn’t my favorite. I’m ok with her being tied to Gold. But yes it is a matter of expectation vs reality. Even if her whole character is just “Rumple’s TL” they need to start developing that outside of speeches and quick romantic gestures like dressing him in the shop.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"betsypaige24 wrote: I hate to say this, I really do, but she is a plot device. Unlike some Belle fans, I’ve never had a problem with her being part of Gold’s storyline, furthering his redemption arc – I’ve found it beautiful and gorgeous how she loves and supports him, how her faith in him gives him faith in himself. The problem is that she’s stuffed in a hospital or otherwise disappears into some dark corner of SB until she’s needed.
I actually agree with you. While Emilie is a great actress, I think that Belle’s role is really to serve as Rumple’s moral center. But like you I don’t have a huge problem with that. Belle is my favorite Disney princess, but here on ONCE, while I do LOVE Belle and LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Rumbelle, this iteration of Belle isn’t my favorite. I’m ok with her being tied to Gold. But yes it is a matter of expectation vs reality. Even if her whole character is just “Rumple’s TL” they need to start developing that outside of speeches and quick romantic gestures like dressing him in the shop.
This! Beauty and the Beast is undoubtedly my favorite Disney movie, and Belle my favorite princess. One thing that makes me a little upset about the OUAT version of Belle is that they pretty much have free reign over the Disney incarnations and one of the best parts about Disney’s Belle is her ability to stand up to the Beast and put him…and pretty much anyone else in their place. She was incredibly supportive and loving but knew when “tough love” was necessary. OUAT’s Belle tends to lack that – she shows her unending support and holds her own against Rumple but it’s more….maybe passive aggressive? For lack of a better word? And she has an insane ability to forgive and forget.
Which is why I think we haven’t, and won’t see OUAT Belle say anything to Regina and Hook. Or anyone else who does her wrong. She focuses on forgiving and forgetting – an endearing and equally frustrating quality.
Someone came up with an interesting theory on Belle on tumblr http://whatifqueen.tumblr.com/post/71781084171/belle-doesnt-like-rumplestiltskin-to-see-her
Belle doesn’t like Rumplestiltskin to see her cry.
Every time her eyes have filled with tears and her facial features start to wobble, she either leaves the room she’s in or tries to control herself until he’s gone before giving in. Every time.
The first time he catches her at it, she’s alone — she’s supposed to be sleeping and likely assumes he’s doing the same, which gives her the opportunity to give in to her feelings in her little cell without worrying about being seen or heard; a mistake, as he apparently doesn’t sleep and instead stays up spinning. When he bursts into what is essentially her room, she quickly wipes away her tears and tries to hide the fact that she was ever crying in the first place but to no avail — he’s caught her out and she snaps at him for pointing out something she doesn’t want acknowledged.
The next time tears start to well up and the time after that, she leaves the room. When he tells her that his power matters more to him than her, when she calls him on his bullshit, she turns on heel and leaves the moment she’s said her piece to keep the tears from spilling down her cheeks right in front of him. And the same thing happens when she takes him to task for unleashing the wraith and slipping back into old habits, when he snaps at her and diminishes the importance of their relationship in his anger — she walks right out that door to keep him from seeing her in that state.
Even when he’s finally emotionally honest with her about his reasons for creating the curse in the first place and tells her the truth about Bae, she can’t let him see her cry. She looks to the ceiling as he walks away to get herself under control before holding out the offer of reconciliation in the form of a hamburger date; then, as he walks away after accepting her tentative olive branch, and only then does she allow her face to crumple, indicating that she’s about to start crying in earnest.
Whether it’s because of reasons of pride or because she doesn’t want her emotional state to draw attention away from what he’s feeling or the reasons fluctuates depending on the situation, I don’t know — but is it any wonder she cries the hardest she’s ever cried in her life when she believes he’s gone forever after sacrificing himself to take out Pan?
Belle only allows herself to cry when he’s not around and that’s as “not around” as it gets.
All magic comes with a price!
Keeper of Felix
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