Emma + Baelfire = Swanfire

[RumplesGirl]

@Schmacky

the big question people seem to have is did Hook come from SB (in which I agree, he was the only option for a few reasons) or did he come from the EF?  If he came from the EF then how did he get to NYC? how did he find Emma? And How did he escape the Curse?

[schmacky]

More ashes? One last bean? Who knows. Yeah, I want to know how he was able to escape the curse, but it’s not a burning question for me. I’m sure we’ll find out on Sunday. And if not Sunday, soon enough.

[RumplesGirl]

2 days! (and in one hour it will exactly 48 hours)

"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"

[lunatiger]

Wow this board is moving at lightning speed pace!!! @_@ Wait up guys!!!
Some of my thoughts on current matters, sorry if it’s repeated. Seen the sneak peek. Though I really question how people think it’s a pro-CS scene, because, the first thing Emma blurts out is about Neal. The second sneak peek, Emma mentions she moved From Boston because there was a FIRE in her apartment (aka reference to Baelfire, like in season 1 FIREman ref), so she moved to NEW YORK to get a fresh start (aka Neal’s home), there’s just too many throwbacks towards Neal to just cut him off mid-way through 3B. I’m happy that they’ve gone to such lengths to keep Neal’s character tied to the story in some form. Hook and Emma can’t have a serious conversation that doesn’t involve Neal, whether directly referring to him or using some Neal/SF symbol. This just cements my thoughts that SF isn’t dead in the water this season, which is why CSers are clamoring for Neal’s death so that he is not hanging in the background anymore, because no matter what realm they’re in and if Emma has cursed memories or not, Neal will be mentioned. Even if supposedly Emma and Neal don’t get back together, Neal will always be in the background because of Henry. Death would be too convenient of a card to play and I suspect A&E will want to drag this on as much as possible to keep the tension of the “Will they, won’t they scenario”, which is another reason why I can’t see Neal dying this season. As much as people hate to admit it, it’s a popular plotline in the fandom, even if it’s a secondary plotline.
Like others said before, Emma is looking for a man that can be a good father figure to Henry as her #1 priority, which speaks volumes since it’s hard to deny Neal has been a great father to Henry in season 2 and GUESS WHAT, he’s Henry’s actual father. Cursed Emma doesn’t know that but after she gets her memories back she will remember how Neal crossed realms to find them in NL and I’m sure he’s still doing that in EF.
I’m really excited for a team Neal/Belle adventure. But I’m being cautiously optimistic. Hopefully they can explore Neal and Belle’s character further without the extension of Rumple being strapped to them and give them some much needed character development.
I love Neal, but I’m not blinded to the fact that he’s been seriously underdeveloped for the casual viewer. He needs more personal interaction with other characters, and it looks like we’re getting it with the Charmings and Belle! YAY! [/spoilers] My hope is that the more they show Neal’s inner psyche on his dilemma in getting back to Emma the more it will win the audiences hearts. I’ve noticed that many people had a bad initial impression of Neal in Tallahassee but have had their opinions changed of him in Manhattan and Nasty Habits which featured him prominently and his personal issues.

[spoiler] Strange as it seems the more I read the articles the more I feel optimistic about things. Why? Because it I see it as the typical heroes journey. The hero that has absolutely everything taken away from them and brought so low that the only way to go is climb back up again. That’s Neal’s journey. Just like how Emma started in Season 1. She had nothing but slowly started to climb her way up to her son and finding her parents. Neal is also on his journey towards his son and finding his father. And the last climb for Neal and Emma will be to find their HOME, they’re way back to each other.

#BOOM! #HOPE

[RumplesGirl]

@Lunatiger

OMG. I love your entire post but especially the part about the heroes journey.

So there is this classic literary trope used by the Greeks a lot called the καταβασις (katabasis) which literally means to move down, but in literature is most often descent into the underworld (read more HERE ) Now it’s a classic part of heroic tales (Odysseus, Aeneas) but it could be taken more metaphorically instead of the Greek literal version. In other words, Neal could be super tempted by the dark magic and the less than noble path to get back to Emma and Henry but he resists, fights the urge to take the easy path (which he did once and swore never to do again) and then like in the classic sense, comes back to the light but this time with lots of knowledge (in classic lit pieces that uses this, the hero comes to our world with extra knowledge that help him get home–oh hey. THEME)

"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"

[RumplesGirl]

X

"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"

[lunatiger]

[quote=250889]  Well there was one thing I want to bring up from the E! piece (fair warning to the lurking CSers…you might not appreciate what I’m saying) Hook sits and sulks. Really? That’s his solution to going to get Emma? Everyone has been harping on him finding Emma and TL always find one another but from the sounds of it, Hook gives up rather quickly and decides to wallow. It’s Neal who is the man of action. The second he gets back he goes to work. Snowing try to get him to let Emma have a happy life and I do think he considers it but I also think Belle is gonna smack him upside the head (that’s my girl!) So WHAT changed Hook’s mind?? What made him go from ennui to action? Did something get easier? Was there suddenly a magical option? Just some food for thought  [/quote]

I agree RG. That sentence stood out to me when I read that line from the article it puts into perspective of what earlier articles say about Hook’s pirate ways. So all of the CSers applauding Hook’s dedication to finding Emma!!! Yeah…no…it doesn’t sound like he was all too dedicated into finding her and pretty much giving up in defeat right off the bat until an opportunity presented itself that looked favorable to him. (This is an E article too, you know that they sway in favor towards Hook.) Neal however was set in his mind to try and look for them right away, just like he did in 3A. He just right back up (mind you he had a bullet wound!) and started formulating a plan to get to Emma and Henry. Why CSers throw Neal’s dedication under the bus is beyond me… So the question is how does Hook get to NYC first before Neal? And what happened to Neal? That’s the question I want answered.

 

@Lunatiger OMG. I love your entire post but especially the part about the heroes journey. So there is this classic literary trope used by the Greeks a lot called the καταβασις (katabasis) which literally means to move down, but in literature is most often descent into the underworld (read more HERE ) Now it’s a classic part of heroic tales (Odysseus, Aeneas) but it could be taken more metaphorically instead of the Greek literal version.

I think it’s storytelling 101. I like to think they’re giving an “Odyssey” like adventure to Neal. Remember in the Odyssey, Odysseus traveled to many lands, but his ultimate goal was to get back home to his wife and son. He was near death several times and it was a long journey but he finally made it back home to his wife and son. I kinda wanna see Neal do that as well. By the sound of it, it looks that way, with him and Bella “off on an adventure” and Neal’s main goal, getting back to Henry and Emma.

[Slurpeez]

lunatiger wrote: Strange as it seems the more I read the articles the more I feel optimistic about things. Why? Because it I see it as the typical heroes journey. The hero that has absolutely everything taken away from them and brought so low that the only way to go is climb back up again. That’s Neal’s journey. Just like how Emma started in Season 1. She had nothing but slowly started to climb her way up to her son and finding her parents. Neal is also on his journey towards his son and finding his father. And the last climb for Neal and Emma will be to find their HOME, they’re way back to each other.

Yes, I agree. The illusive dream of home is a major driving force for both Emma and Neal. It’s one of the only “true parallels” that has painstakingly been revealed time and time again. Emma and Neal have lived largely parallel lives meeting at only the briefest of intersections. Yet, their destination is the same and their idea of a happy life is with each other and their son.

So there is this classic literary trope used by the Greeks a lot called the καταβασις (katabasis) which literally means to move down, but in literature is most often descent into the underworld (read more HERE ) Now it’s a classic part of heroic tales (Odysseus, Aeneas) but it could be taken more metaphorically instead of the Greek literal version.

Your degree in classics is really paying off there I see, RG. 🙂 I think you’re right. The tale of overcoming great obstacles is as old as time itself, and before the hero can enjoy the comfort of kith and kin, he must first stare death in the face and win. Learning to be as wise as a serpent, while also being as innocent as a dove, could be the only way to defeat an evil nemesis.

RumplesGirl wrote: In other words, Neal could be super tempted by the dark magic and the less than noble path to get back to Emma and Henry but he resists, fights the urge to take the easy path (which he did once and swore never to do again) and then like in the classic sense, comes back to the light but this time with lots of knowledge (in classic lit pieces that uses this, the hero comes to our world with extra knowledge that help him get home–oh hey. THEME)

Belle is an example of a shrewd heroine who relies not on the sword but on knowledge, while keeping her purity. She has courted the Dark One himself, learned the monster’s secrets, and yet still kept her purity of heart. She’s even used that trust and knowledge to her full advantage by taming a beast, influencing him towards righteousness. She has wit, learning, and KNOWLEDGE on her side. I think like Belle, Neal may learn the secrets of the “enemy” who is this time Zelena. Yet, instead of doing the witch’s bidding, he’ll use his knowledge for good while keeping his wits about him, in an effort to take down Zelena from the inside, like a covert op.

"That’s how you know you’ve really got a home. When you leave it, there’s this feeling that you can’t shake. You just miss it." Neal Cassidy

[RumplesGirl]

I totally get Odyssey vibes from SwanFire.

I mean Cerci is like Tamara (entrants Odysseus into staying with her though she uses magic and…turn his men into pigs) but it’s always Penelope and Telemachus that drives Odysseus on his journey. And along the way there is some fate, some prophecy, some missteps, and even some very loud suitors who demand that Penelope give them the time of day.

Hmmm.

"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"

[CrownedWithLaurels]

I for one am getting SUPER excited the more I imagine Belle and Neal’s adventure in possibly Oz. Even if they don’t make it to Oz… I just know this is gonna be brilliant. If Emilie was doing some of her best work according to Adam, their adventure has to be epic. Ahh! Just imagine with me, for a moment. Even if/when they get trapped… It’s gonna be epic. They’re both fighters. It is gonna be quite a show.

Here. Have an antsy penguin that is on his way to adventure!

Keeper Nealfire's/Bae's scarf, Henry and Neal's bribery ice cream sundae, Baelfire's sword, the coconut map, and more.

[Author]

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