[ems14]

I think that is fitting really with the strong female character who is not the damsel or prize to be won–she should fight for her man just as much as he is willing to fight for her. If the audience is to buy the love story, then it has to bewant Emma wants. It cannot be Hook or Neal “winning” her heart–it has to be Emma discovering what she wants and going for it, taking the chance for happiness.I really do not feel her scenes with Hook have been about Emma taking that chance for happiness but rather, returning to her roots of one night unhealthy relationships not based on mutual trust but just physical attraction. Hook may want more, may think he does anyway with his long haul statements, but he is not emotionally mature enough to offer that to Emma.

This sums it all up perfectly, in the end it has to be down to Emma. Which is why I struggle so much with CS and Hook. Hook usually comes off as completely self-centered and overpowering. It’s a very ME ME ME attitude Hook has, which really overpowers Emma in the Hook/Emma dynamic. I will win you, going to look to Tink for comfort because I’m ‘hurt’ or as you mentioned backing off because obviously Neal would have no chance if I was in the equation. So all that leads me to wondering where does Emma factor into all this. Neal, I think, is striking a pretty decent balance of not pushing Emma but showing he’s there and making the effort of keeping the lines of communication open because regardless of romance or not, it’s important for them to be able to get along for Henry’s sake.  Hook would be a massive step back for Emma but one that it might end up being significant for her to take, in order to eventually move forward herself  (and eventually with Neal).

Agreed!!! And I agree with KFC. I think it’s RIP to CaptainFairy as well. I was really on board with it and thought it was a great idea and after this episode I’m turned off every possible Hook ship.

Yes the idea of CaptainFairy had potential. History between them to draw from that could have lead to an interesting present day connection but alas I don’t think I’d wish this version of Hook on any woman.

[ems14]

Thanks everyone for the welcome!

Notice how when Charming came up to her, she was messing around with her phone. She was probably feeling bad about not having gone, and worried about him being hurt and angry with her, so maybe she should txt him, but what’s she gonna say in a txt, that’s so impersonal, no, she should call him, call him and explain, but really, what would she even say, isn’t that just like going there in person, so what if he gets the wrong idea, and what if he doesn’t understand exactly why she’s not ready, but that doesn’t mean she’ll never be ready, and she’s just scared and confused and doesn’t know how to handle it. So she’s sitting there thinking, “OMG universe please give me a sign of how to handle this,” and then up walks DaddyCharming to boost her confidence.

Yes she was messing about with her phone. I love that it wasn’t as if she was just going to blow him off completely. It’s not that she didn’t want to go on the date but like you said she just confused and terrified about the whole situation.

I must say – Charming for all the awards in that episode, both with Emma in present day and Snow in the past. He was able to understand and be there for both of them.

*sigh* For real. Part of me wants to keep the hope alive that a time will come when they are able to address all that stuff, but the more time passes, and the more juvenile Hook acts, the less likely I think it is. I might appreciate that they seem to be writing Hook as a poor option for Emma, but I dislike that in turn, that’s having a detrimental affect on the CaptainFire potential. PS. Welcome to the thread!  

Yes I was so sure all this stuff would come have to come up after Neverland but I feel like the action is going to take over again and the issue ignored again. It’s such a shame because I watch Neal/Hook scenes and it’s like they barely know one another, let alone have such a complex history.  It would serve Hook’s character well too to start establishing relationships other than his one with Emma. Because I have no worry for Neal’s storylines/relationships outside of Emma but I do wonder how Hook fits into the story, especially now that he has developed Emma Swan tunnel vision.

BTW- Thank you all so much for the lovely comments about my new video! It really means a lot that you all enjoyed watching it!

The video is great, as are all of yours. Perfect song choice too, I love Lifehouse.

 

[ems14]

Hi all, I’m Ems. I’ve been lurking reading all your wonderful thoughts and decided to post and join in the Swanfire discussion.

Forgive my jumbled thoughts and basically repeating everything that’s already been said 🙂

I must say after first watching I felt a little deflated but it wasn’t really as bad as I had imagined. The moment Neal and Emma cute/awkward date conversation came up, I got that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach knowing that Emma would likely not turn up and I’d be seeing Neal’s adorable but heartbroken face. But the reality of how things actually happened wasn’t as bad for SF as I had been anticipating.

I knew the second that Neal approached Emma that it could be seeing as him being too full on. But Neal came just asking to talk, it was Emma that jokingly brought up the date part. And really who can say Emma and Neal don’t need to talk. A lot of stuff about their feelings and past came up in Neverland and even if they never moved forward again romantically, conversations need to be had so they can move forward them a way that allows them to get along and be co-parents to Henry. I liked how casual Neal was about it and didn’t pressure Emma into it. Emma’s smile was adorable too, like she didn’t want to smile but couldn’t help herself.

I do love Snow/Charming flashbacks but, before this episode, I was a bit annoyed they were getting a second one before some of Neal, Emma or Neverland crew (Tink, Hook, Bae) got one but I loved the flashbacks and they fit perfectly.  The whole idea of enjoying the moment woven throughout the episode and Snow of the past paralleling Emma of the present. It allowed for some beautiful Daddy Charming moments that played nicely into Swanfire.
The sight of Neal in Granny’s was heartbreaking but I loved Charming going to Emma and convincing her to enjoy the moment and give Neal a chance. It’s nice to see that Emma’s parents view Neal as a source of happiness for her. And the best part Emma was going to meet Neal. She was going to go on the ‘date’. When the SF conversation first happened I really didn’t expect Emma to show so the fact that in the end she did intend to come was huge for me.

Of course storyline wise to add the angst she didn’t get there and no doubt Neal will think she just bailed. And maybe he’ll back a bit. This might not necessarily be a bad thing though. Neal gets a lot of hate for leaving Emma/not fighting for her etc etc. But as a certain point he can’t continue to force his romantic feelings on to Emma. I really believe at some point the balance in the SF relationship and them moving forward together romantically will have to sway to Emma. We know they both love one another. We know Neal thinks being together again is a possibility and wants that but we don’t know if Emma realistically thinks that is possible. Right now Emma doesn’t believe she’ll ever have happiness without something lurking to ruin it all but when she accepts the idea of enjoying the moment, I think she will have to take the lead with Neal.

As for Hook, sigh. Actually it was enjoyable to see a glimpse of the old Hook, since the handling of Neverland Hook was mostly a fail, IMO. I’m sure Hook’s action in the episode will try and be defended it but spin it how you want he did not come out well of this episode. Saying he’ll back off but doing the opposite in reality, trying to make Emma jealous by using Tink. He may say he’s in it for the long haul but I don’t think he knows how to do that. A quickie in the bathroom with Tink is certainly not the best way to go about it (although they do have great chemistry).

Also RIP to CaptainFire. They could have had it all. But in all seriousness it’s sad that such a complex relationship has been reduced to having all their interactions centred around Emma. I’m starting to feel that the past, Milah and all that may never come up in the present with these two.

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