397 replies to this topic

[oldandnewfirm]

For discussion of the various romances and 'ships in the Once Upon a Time world.

[AntBee]

Thanks for opening this thread, oldandnewfirm. I was hoping someone would because I know there's a lot of debate about the Rumpelstiltskin and Belle ship versus the other ships like Snow White and Charming, and there will continue to be so.

I guess I don't really have a side in the Rumpelstiltskin/Belle. I do see the argument that maybe their love is more realistic because they didn't fall in love at first site and live happily ever after. Yet I could also see why it would make some people uncomfortable because of the prisoner/slave aspect of their relationship too.

Right now I generally enjoy their scenes together mostly because of the actors especially Robert Carlyle. I just don't want it to take over the whole show and/or be shoehorned in awkwardly like it was in "A Land Without Magic".

I don't blame the show for wanting to take advantage of what has become such a popular pairing. However, I hope it doesn't become too much of a good thing like many other pairings on television which people wanted to see but then hated later on when the writers ran out of ideas on keeping the relationship interesting to viewers. It already sort of happened on this show already which doesn't bode well for Rumpelstiltskin/Belle, imo, with Snow White and Prince Charming. I know when the show first premiered I loved the pairing because the actors had such wonderful chemistry, but then the affair and all the other drama happened, and I just wanted them to move on from each other which I know was unrealistic because they were going to be together somehow. I was just sick of watching them by that point. I still enjoy their Enchanted Forest counterparts, but unfortunately I'm not invested in the ship like I was when the show premiered. I just want them to be happy for Emma's and Henry's sake and despite Regina more than I want them together because of the characters themselves.

[Camera One]

I feel the same as AntBee about Rumplestiltskin/Belle. I thought the relationship was interesting in "Skin Deep" and I liked seeing them reunited in the season finale, but I also don't have a huge desire to see them featured too often either.

I was disappointed at how poorly handled Mary Margaret/David was in Season 1, and it makes me wary of the show even though I do enjoy it. It seems to show an utter lack of planning. If they had known that by the end of Season 1, the characters would remember, why would they need to treat these two characters like they were on a yo-yo all season? Why the need to have Mary Margaret and David in an affair? What was the point of the one-night-stand with Mary Margaret and Dr. Whale?

If they had wanted Mary Margaret to be treated like a pariah, they could just have had Mary Margaret and David spend time together at the animal shelter as friends, while Regina started a rumor. They could still have done the Mary-Margaret-accused-of-murder plot. Like AntBee, I loved the interactions of Mary Margaret/David in the fall, but after the back and forth, I actively disliked David and lost some respect for Mary Margaret. The writers are lucky that the actors have such chemistry that I was able to like them again towards the end.

As for the one-episode romantic pairings in Season 1, it really depended on the actors. The Cinderella/Prince pairing didn't really work because the guy especially was not very natural in acting. Same with Regina and the wooden Daniel. I did like Grumpy/Nova, Red/Peter and Katherine/Frederick.

[oldandnewfirm]

know when the show first premiered I loved the pairing because the actors had such wonderful chemistry, but then the affair and all the other drama happened, and I just wanted them to move on from each other which I know was unrealistic because they were going to be together somehow.

I loved the interactions of Mary Margaret/David in the fall, but after the back and forth, I actively disliked David and lost some respect for Mary Margaret.

Same here. I started off loving Snow/James and their Storybrooke counterparts, and by halfway through the affair story line I kept wishing I could fast forward through all of their scenes. Knowing that they were eventually going to end up together robbed the Mary Margaret/David story line of the tension that would have made it interesting instead of tedious. And David's continued stupidity was painful to watch after only a few episodes. James isn't too bright either, but at least he's earnest and relentless, both of which lead him into adventures that are far more compelling than his Storybrooke counterpart's fumbling. Yes, yes, I know everything David did was a result of the curse, but from a pure viewer interest perspective (at least in my case) David's character didn't really work.

Regarding Rumbelle, my thoughts on them are below:

For me, the two of them are the most interesting couple for a lot of reasons, the primary one being that Belle and Rumple have to overcome internal obstacles to their happiness, versus everyone else who only has to slay a dragon or rescue a princess in order to skip off into the sunset with their beloved. None of the other character relationships have personality conflicts, philosophical differences, or any of the rough edges that people have to learn to deal with in a real world relationship. It's just Love at First Sight that's never followed by "How well do I know this person, and is this really what I want?"

I think that's why Rumbelle struck me so much-- their relationship seems more realistic and natural compared to everyone else's.

Agreed that I don't want to see them overused as a couple, but I have a feeling any romance between them will be a long time in coming given the terms of their parting in the Lands, and whatever madness Rumple has just cooked up in Storybrooke. I'd be disappointed if the show ignored all of that and the season opens with them in kissing and cuddles territory like all the other romances in the series.

Edited by oldandnewfirm, May 20, 2012 @ 10:53 PM.

[stealinghome]

It already sort of happened on this show already which doesn't bode well for Rumpelstiltskin/Belle, imo, with Snow White and Prince Charming. I know when the show first premiered I loved the pairing because the actors had such wonderful chemistry, but then the affair and all the other drama happened, and I just wanted them to move on from each other which I know was unrealistic because they were going to be together somehow.

See, it's funny--I couldn't stand David/Mary Margaret by like their third episode, but I still ship Snow/Charming like burning, and love love love their story in the Enchanted Forest (though I agree with whoever said on another thread that I wish we'd see more of the characterization for those two that we saw in "Snow Falls"--they sizzle most when they're bantering and snarking at each other). It's an oddly bifurcated response, I know. But those two never fail to tug at my heartstrings, and I can't wait to see them take on George and Regina together in S2.

I also really enjoy Rumpel/Belle, and think that pairing has real potential, but I agree that the course of true love really can't run smooth for them. I expect them to have a lot of conflict until Rumpel truly reforms and joins the side of, if not good, at least not evil--as others have said, it would be completely inauthentic for them to get too snuggly too quickly; real romance really needs to be a long time in coming for those two. I don't think they should be featured as much as Snow/Charming, though I do think they should be the second most featured couple on the show (I'm so not interested in seeing romance for Emma, because her family dynamics intrigue me so much more). Belle is such a wild card, she's great for all the plot potential she generates.

James isn't too bright either, but at least he's earnest and relentless, both of which lead him into adventures that are far more compelling than his Storybrooke counterpart's fumbling.

Ha! Best.description.ever. of poor Charming. That said, yes, I wish they portrayed him as a little more astute. Snow, too, sometimes, actually.

I was disappointed at how poorly handled Mary Margaret/David was in Season 1, and it makes me wary of the show even though I do enjoy it. It seems to show an utter lack of planning.... Why the need to have Mary Margaret and David in an affair?

Mostly to show, I think, that what was stripped from Charming was his innately honorable nature. Charming would never, ever cheat on anyone to whom he was married, and in fact, even though his life was forfeit, flat-out refused to marry someone who he didn't feel he could commit to fully. David clearly lacked that moral fiber. Also to show that David lacked Charming's earnestness and relentlessness and faith.

That said, while what they did was effective at showing the differences between David and Charming, it was pretty boring, repetitive, and unpleasant for the viewers, and they need to recognize that and avoid the problem next year. I also do think they could've done a better job of illustrating that the curse was really doing a number on David.

[Betsypaige1]

Great idea for a thread.

I never stopped loving David/Margaret/Snow/Charming, but then I never disliked David and I loved Charming. I was invested in them from the beginning and I never stopped. I will say that it did become slightly repetitive, but I admit that I don't get bugged easily with shows I love. When I do, I really do, lol.....but I tend to be pretty easygoing.

What took me by surprise was Rumbelle. I was not a fan of Goldstiltskin, but then I didn't dislike him either. Starting with Skin Deep, he's absolutely fascinated me - and of course I absolutely adore Belle. They had incredibly good chemistry - and the dialogue was wonderful. That conversation they had about heroism and why she chose to go with Rumple is my favorite scene from that show (thank you, You Tube!). I think we can extrapolate that the two had other, similar conversations during the months Belle was there. Intellectually she could stand up to him and emotionally she was in a far better place than he; it was really fantastic character development.

Agreed that I don't want to see them overused as a couple, but I have a feeling any romance between them will be a long time in coming given the terms of their parting in the Lands, and whatever madness Rumple has just cooked up in Storybrooke. I'd be disappointed if the show ignored all of that and the season opens with them in kissing and cuddles territory like all the other romances in the series.

They may have parted badly, but Belle had no issues with declaring her love and reaching up for a hug upon remembering who she was. I suspect she was on her way back to Rumple's place when she was kidnapped. I think it's unrealistic not to expect some romance - heaven knows that man is lonely and desperately needs some affection and the poor girl has just been released from 28 years in solitary confinement so she's in a similar way. So overall, while I don't think that they need to be all lovey dovey in season 2, these two affection-starved people need each other and I want to see them show that at times.

Belle is not a shrinking violet, so she will expect an explanation for what he's doing - but let's remember that this was still all Regina's doing and so the lion's share of the blame for the mess everyone is in belongs to her. Assuming Belle remains consistent to who she was in season 1, I think we can expect some complications in their relationship, but that doesn't mean it has to be bad for them. Belle loves him and also wants to save him; she's a straight shooter to boot. Those are significant reasons why Goldstiltskin loves her and so her influence will go a long way. It would be very easy to just have her refuse to listen to his explanations and walk out on him again if she doesn't buy them, but given that she remembers and still declared her love, I don't think it makes sense. I think it makes more sense for her to try and help him.

AS to the finale, I adored their scenes together and didn't think they were forced. I loved the hugs - they felt so natural. When Gold squeezed Belle's shoulders to test that she was really standing in front of him, that was wonderful - same when he just held her and told her he'd protect her. My favorite parts were in the woods, when Belle recognized Rumple and she declared her love for him. He's not one to give of himself emotionally, so his "I love you" had real resonance. Just the way he hugged her and stroked her head, you could see that it meant the world to him that she was in his arms. Unlike the chipped tea cup (which I hope he shows Belle), he didn't have to treat her so delicately, lol.

I don't think Rumbell or any couple should be overused on the show, but I won't pretend to want to see much more of them. Frankly, I really want to see Belle become friends with Snow, Red, etc.. I would ship those friendships to be sure!

I also really enjoy Rumpel/Belle, and think that pairing has real potential, but I agree that the course of true love really can't run smooth for them. I expect them to have a lot of conflict until Rumpel truly reforms and joins the side of, if not good, at least not evil--as others have said, it would be completely inauthentic for them to get too snuggly too quickly; real romance really needs to be a long time in coming for those two. I don't think they should be featured as much as Snow/Charming, though I do think they should be the second most featured couple on the show (I'm so not interested in seeing romance for Emma, because her family dynamics intrigue me so much more). Belle is such a wild card, she's great for all the plot potential she generates.

Just in case I wasn't clear, I agree that their romance can't run THAT smoothly - but physical affection for two people completely starved of it for so long is important. Remember that Gold thought Belle was dead - to have her there in front of him has to be emotionally stunning to him and will probably continue to be. There needs to be a balance here and hopefully the writers can strike the right one. You're spot on when you say that Belle is a wild card; I can't wait to see the DVD feature showing how she was created.

It appears, via Jennifer Morrison, that Emma is going to have a romantic interest this year, which I'm not thrilled about. However, if it's going to be a vehicle for her to get close to her daddy, I guess I'd be ok. I'm still much, much more interested in her familial relationships because she and they missed out on so much.

Edited by Betsypaige1, May 21, 2012 @ 12:02 AM.

[oldandnewfirm]

It appears, via Jennifer Morrison, that Emma is going to have a romantic interest this year, which I'm not thrilled about. However, if it's going to be a vehicle for her to get close to her daddy, I guess I'd be ok. I'm still much, much more interested in her familial relationships because she and they missed out on so much.

I'm neutral on Emma getting a romantic interest, but if they're going to do it for sure, then I hope it's Bae. I'm quite enchanted with the "Bae is Henry's father" theory; besides its obvious dramatic potential, I like the idea of Emma, Bae, and Henry eventually serving as a bridge and a buffer between Storybrooke's most powerful players. Besides that, I think there's something (perhaps cruelly) poetic in the idea that Rumple's cultivation of Snow and James' relationship led to the birth of the very woman who would go on to provide his son with the love and happiness that Rumple never could have. The only problem with this theory is that Emma makes Henry's father out to be quite the dick, so we'd have to figure out the story there first.

If not him, though, I'd be okay with Jefferson; they had more chemistry together than she's had with any of the other men they've been trying to pair her off with. But the actor who plays him seems to be pretty busy, so I don't know if that will work out scheduling wise.

More than likely they'll introduce someone else entirely to be her new beau.

Edited by oldandnewfirm, May 21, 2012 @ 12:25 AM.

[AntBee]

I hope it's Bae too even if he isn't Henry's father; although, I also am a believer in that theory also. It does seem a little bit soon to bring him back to Storybrooke as a love interest if they want to wait awhile to reveal who Henry's father is, but then again I think Bae/Emma will be the endgame pairing for Emma unless he's a completely irredeemable Big Bad so they might want to lay the groundwork for that somehow. At first I was worried about Bae being the Big Bad, but then I read a theory about how Snow, Charming, and Emma were all products of unions of true love, so it would make sense that Henry be a product of that too. So if Bae isn't a "good" character at first, I'm guessing by the end of the series he'll be worthy of enough for Emma.

Before that time though, the more I think about it unfortunately, the more that I think that there will be some kind of triangle involving Bae/Emma/August. I don't think the writers can resist doing a triangle involving the main character, and those 3 characters are the only ones from the Enchanted Forest that escaped the curse and are around the same age. I just hope it's not a true triangle but maybe Bae thinking that there was something going on between Emma and August, when there's really not, because I just don't get any romantic vibes at all between Emma and August. I really like their friendship as it is now, and while I don't fault August for running away from his responsibility, I wonder with Emma's trust issues, if she won't always have that in the back of her mind preventing them from ever getting too close. Not that she won't have any trust issues with Bae if he's her baby's daddy, but I'm hoping that he has a valid reason for coming across so badly.

I'm neutral on Emma getting a romantic interest, but if they're going to do it for sure, then I hope it's Bae. I'm quite enchanted with the "Bae is Henry's father" theory; besides its obvious dramatic potential, I like the idea of Emma, Bae, and Henry eventually serving as a bridge and a buffer between Storybrooke's most powerful players. Besides that, I think there's something (perhaps cruelly) poetic in the idea that Rumple's cultivation of Snow and James' relationship led to the birth of the very woman who would go on to provide his son with the love and happiness that Rumple never could have. The only problem with this theory is that Emma makes Henry's father out to be quite the dick, so we'd have to figure out the story there first.

Yes, right now Rumple is the only one that Henry doesn't have some kind of connection with which seems very odd given how involved Rumple is in everyone else's lives.

Plus, I like the idea of Emma/Bae, at least in theory, for similar reasons. First, for me it's how something good actually came out of the curse because without Rumple letting go of his son and then having to create the curse, Bae and Emma would likely have never known each other, or at least in a romantic sense, and there would have been no Henry. I also like the irony that goes along with it in that Bae deservedly hates magic for destroying his life, but at the same time without his father's use of magic, Bae/Emma would have never happened. There's definitely a strong element of fate, destiny, and magic that could be utilized if they go the Bae/Emma route, and I think that Emma deserves to have an her own fairy tale romance like her parents have if they have to pair her with someone by the end of the show. I'm sure that the writers could make it work with a storybook character that people already know of, but since Emma is an original character from the writers and Bae is an original character from the writers, it might be easier to just go that route then worrying about upsetting Disney if they paired her with Pinocchio since he's always been associated as a boy, or Aladdin or some other male character who has already been paired up with his true love in a Disney movie, or upsetting fans of other fandoms if they made the endgame Emma/Sherlock Holmes or Emma/Dracula.

[Betsypaige1]

One more thing about Rumple: he would be pertty dumb to look and sound so ecstatic about bringing magic/power back in front of Belle when he knows that what drove her away in the first place was his lust for power. He's not dumb, he's smart and shrewd. I'm sure he still enjoys having power, but IMO, he is doing this all not for power's sake but for truly getting his son back - he just looks so determined. I think he wants to prove to Bae (and Belle) that he can change.

Remember that Belle had told Rumple when he said that he wanted power over her that she didn't believe that, that it wasn't true. He was just afraid of letting anyone love him. I don't think that's the case now. I do wonder if he will be willing to kiss her at this point given that it could still turn him back. That could be another point of tension, lol.

I'm neutral on Emma getting a romantic interest, but if they're going to do it for sure, then I hope it's Bae. I'm quite enchanted with the "Bae is Henry's father" theory; besides its obvious dramatic potential, I like the idea of Emma, Bae, and Henry eventually serving as a bridge and a buffer between Storybrooke's most powerful players. Besides that, I think there's something (perhaps cruelly) poetic in the idea that Rumple's cultivation of Snow and James' relationship led to the birth of the very woman who would go on to provide his son with the love and happiness that Rumple never could have. The only problem with this theory is that Emma makes Henry's father out to be quite the dick, so we'd have to figure out the story there first.

I think Bae would have grown up as a bitter and angry man given his history, so it could work.

[Gin and Tonic]

Whoever Emma ends up with, I kinda hope it's not Henry's biological father. The show has a lot of representation of good, loving biological families and far fewer good, loving adoptive families. I'd like it if Henry could develop a relationship with Emma's love interest and learn that the family we choose can be just as meaningful as the family we're born into. I also think it fits better with Emma's character. She gets her happily ever after, as befits the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, but does it in a way that's more grounded and realistic, as befits someone who grew up in our world.

[Toughie]

I like that idea Gin and Tonic.

I'm fine with the idea that Bae is Henry's father. And if he was some horrible douchebag like Emma implies, I'm all for him finding redemption. But, it really would be nice if he didn't end up with Emma.

[Flyby]

I really hope Bae is not Emma's future love interest and/or Henry's father. I know destiny is a popular theme on the show and I am also aware that the writers love playing with the idea that pretty much all of their principal characters are, in one way or another, part of one big, dysfunctional family, but that's stuff you can also easily take a step or two too far. Especially in the Storybrooke part of the narrative. I have to admit that I already have a bit of a hard time buying that Regina ending up with Henry, the saviour's child, was purely a matter of fate and not something that Rumple/Gold consciously set up, but Rumple's son, of all people, being the father would definitely be a little too contrived for my taste. Never mind that this a theory people have been tossing around in fandom for ages now and if Henry's father is supposed to be a major theme in season two I would like to think the writers would go for something a little more surprising.

[oldandnewfirm]

Never mind that this a theory people have been tossing around in fandom for ages now and if Henry's father is supposed to be a major theme in season two I would like to think the writers would go for something a little more surprising.

I don't think the writers can surprise us at this point. When you're dealing with hundreds of people theorizing about the same plot, it's more than likely that out of the din the correct answer will arise. I can't think of a twist or reveal on Once since Skin Deep that wasn't at some point guessed by fandom. Even I called Cora being the miller's daughter shortly after the casting call for the character went out.

Once you reach a certain level of involvement in fandom, the only real way to be surprised by a show/book/movie/whatever is to completely remove yourself from the discussion. It's just the nature of the beast.

[Betsypaige1]

Whoever Emma ends up with, I kinda hope it's not Henry's biological father. The show has a lot of representation of good, loving biological families and far fewer good, loving adoptive families. I'd like it if Henry could develop a relationship with Emma's love interest and learn that the family we choose can be just as meaningful as the family we're born into. I also think it fits better with Emma's character. She gets her happily ever after, as befits the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, but does it in a way that's more grounded and realistic, as befits someone who grew up in our world.

I'd be fine with that. I'm a big believer in adoption; two of my brothers and sisters were adopted and my father has done a lot of that type of work in his law practice.

As to Bae being Henry's father, I'm ok with it though hardly married to it. It would be a rather large coincidence if Emma just happened to have a relationship with him - in fact it would stretch the boundaries of even the most fantastical tv show.

[Camera One]

As to Bae being Henry's father, I'm ok with it though hardly married to it. It would be a rather large coincidence if Emma just happened to have a relationship with him - in fact it would stretch the boundaries of even the most fantastical tv show.

They could always say Bae was drawn to Emma because they were from the same realm of existence.

I too have qualms about Emma becoming involved with Bae, and even moreso with Bae being Henry's father. But both would result in drama, and more complications in dealings between Rumplestiltskin and Emma, so it seems likely.

I would expect that if Bae was indeed Henry's deadbeat father, they will explain why he abandoned Emma and Henry, and it would be a good reason or a very complex and gray situation he found himself in.

Out of the love interests so far, I was really beginning to like Emma and Sheriff Graham in his final episode. They had enough chemistry that the relationship could have been developed. With Emma and August, I saw brief flashes of chemistry, but he's more like her older brother in some ways since he was responsible for her as a baby.

I don't think the writers can surprise us at this point. When you're dealing with hundreds of people theorizing about the same plot, it's more than likely that out of the din the correct answer will arise. I can't think of a twist or reveal on Once since Skin Deep that wasn't at some point guessed by fandom.

Once you reach a certain level of involvement in fandom, the only real way to be surprised by a show/book/movie/whatever is to completely remove yourself from the discussion. It's just the nature of the beast.

Unfortunately, that is very true. That's what happened on "Lost". I never read any spoilers, but just from reading fan theories in discussion boards, nothing that occurred was much of a surprise. There's good and bad to that. For example, I wouldn't have predicted on my own that August was Pinocchio, so I lost some pleasure in finding that out suddenly. But at the same time, I really enjoy reading other people's responses to the show and their opinions, so I can't let that go.

So I agree that while Bae being Henry's father would be predictable, the key would be how they go about doing this, and how it sets up new storylines, conflicts or alliances.

Edited by Camera One, May 21, 2012 @ 2:56 PM.

[Betsypaige1]

Out of the love interests so far, I was really beginning to like Emma and Sheriff Graham in his final episode. They had enough chemistry that the relationship could have been developed. With Emma and August, I saw brief flashes of chemistry, but he's more like her older brother in some ways since he was responsible for her as a baby.

Yes, I can't see August/Pinocchio and Emma in a relationship for just the reasons you say.

I really don't think a story has to have shock value to be well-done, though for some reason I think plenty of fans feel that way.

[jillypups]

This is a separate topic, but I am REALLY looking forward to Abigail and Frederick reuniting!

And I really, really want Jefferson to get his daughter back too but I think his actions at the end, with Belle, could be setting him up as the next big bad. I could even see him going so far as to repeat Rumpel's history: trying to gain power in order to protect his child, so he kills the Dark One and takes over.

[Aliasscape]

Heh, I wonder if we can start a "no love interests for Emma until she's on solid ground with her family" campaign. I do not 'ship her with anyone, nor desire to see her get 'shipped with anyone for a looong time. Let's go with, not in S2. I think that's what'll seem forced. But I guess it's possible she'll possibly try to distract herself from the awkwardness of all the family reunions with a little romance. Least it'd give her something to talk about with her parents besides "Well, foster care was awful. Being a runaway, pretty awful. Jail was awful. Being pregnant alone was awful. Giving up my kid for adoption was awful. Having no friends and no place to really call home was awful. Thinking you guys abandoned me, that was awful. But hey, I know you guys were trying to make sure I saved the world, so..." But it seems like Henry himself should be a distraction enough from all that. That and the whole, there's a magic war about to take place and probably a magic custody battle, and oh yeah, this world is not our world. Maybe if they wait until mid-season I'll be able to deal.

What's funny to me about Rumbelle is I have no strong feelings one way or the other about them. I thought I wouldn't like Rump as the Beast but I loved the episode actually. I can see the Stockholm Syndrome side of things and then I can see the, well that's sweet side. But it's like having an opinion about the grass being green for me. It just is. I don't care if we see more of them, don't care if we don't. I think it may be the only 'ship on the show I can't muster more than a shrug over.

I disliked the Mary Margaret and David stuff, but I figured we weren't supposed to like it, so I guess it was working. I enjoyed Snowing, even if their issues were a bit contrived at times. Ginny Goodwin talked about external forces causing conflict in the Enchanted Forest vs. internal forces causes the conflict in Storybrooke. I guess they could be fighting to take back the kingdom against George and Regina in one world, but in our world perhaps not be able to agree on the best course of action against Regina and/if/or Rumpel, or how to approach the relationship with Emma.

I think Snowing's biggest problem is they can't have the same conversation in every single scene. Discussions about finding each other should be banned. It's gotten beyond ridiculously sappy and means they haven't discussed important stuff like, his real name. They're two strong personalities, both overly brave, and both self-sacrificing to a fault. I'm really wondering what having a daughter and grandson is going to do to their self-sacrificing natures. Overdrive because they'd die for their family in a heartbeat, or dial it back a bit because hey, they want to be alive for their family.

I did sense a bit of something between Jefferson and Emma. The last two eps kinda drove home for me though that the only thing I liked about him was the way Emma interacted with him, that sort of cautious pity. But I'm not into the whole "let's reform the crazy boy" thing. Let's see Jefferson go be focused on Grace for awhile first. And maybe he could try to make a mends for kidnapping and trying to shoot people. And for helping acquiring cursed apples.

I also prefer August and Emma as brother/sisterly. Has no one talked to Eion Bailey really about "Once"? Was he contracted beyond this year? It seemed he was bumped in as a series regular but there wasn't much fanfare about it. And then they had him to turn to wood in the finale so they COULD write him out if they want. I haven't found a single interview with him really about Once or with anyone asking about him as an actor a character of the other people. (Link me if you've found any.) I just wonder if he's even going to be a character used in the next season.

[Betsypaige1]

And I really, really want Jefferson to get his daughter back too but I think his actions at the end, with Belle, could be setting him up as the next big bad. I could even see him going so far as to repeat Rumpel's history: trying to gain power in order to protect his child, so he kills the Dark One and takes over.

I don't see what he did as bad......Sure he did it to get revenge on her, but I don't blame him and, besides, Regina deserves to pay for locking Belle up (and pay she will). Then again, while Jefferson is a very cool character, he was willing to be an accomplice to Emma's murder; that's very hard to forgive and it shows his dark side (even though Regina said he wasn't capable of killing)

[jillypups]

I don't see what he did as bad......Sure he did it to get revenge on her, but I don't blame him and, besides, Regina deserves to pay for locking Belle up (and pay she will). Then again, while Jefferson is a very cool character, he was willing to be an accomplice to Emma's murder; that's very hard to forgive and it shows his dark side (even though Regina said he wasn't capable of killing)

Sorry, didn't mean that he did something bad, only that he is starting to meddle with some Big Bads and is SUPER pissed at Regina. Regina's tailspin into Evil Queen started with anger and emotion, someone being taken from her. So from here, I can see Regina doing something wicked to Grace in retaliation for Jefferson freeing Belle and notifying Rumpel about it, and the rage and hurt that this causes in Jefferson will create another big bad.

Or, like I said earlier, going so far to protect Grace from Regina that he kills Rumpel for the Dark One's power, and as such, history repeats itself. That wouldn't happen next season or anytime soon but I could see it.

Edited by jillypups, May 22, 2012 @ 5:37 PM.

[Gin and Tonic]

Aliasscape, here's an interview with Eion Bailey from last month regarding the second season and August's relationship with Emma. He's sort of noncommittal about the second season, but that could be just an effort to preserve mystery as to Pinocchio's fate. There's also this spoiler, but it's not very specific.

As for Emma and August, I don't see their relationship as brother/sister for the same reason I rejected the theories that August was Henry from the future: way too much flirty banter around the well. Which isn't to say that I ship them. I'm with those who want Emma to figure out the rest of her life before she gets involved with someone. I just feel like they have a different kind of relationship than brother/sister. My relationships with my best guy friends aren't the same as my relationship with my brother. It doesn't mean I'm ever going to hook up with my guy friends, but the way we communicate and interact is not the way siblings interact. I'm totally down with August and Emma becoming best friends with no romance, but if that happens I probably wouldn't view it as brother/sister.

But I'm not into the whole "let's reform the crazy boy" thing. Let's see Jefferson go be focused on Grace for awhile first. And maybe he could try to make a mends for kidnapping and trying to shoot people. And for helping acquiring cursed apples.

I'm with you on this. I think Sebastian Stan and Jennifer Morrison had a lot of chemistry, but I have no desire to see Emma and Jefferson in a relationship. I suspect we're already getting a "love of a good woman can reform" storyline with Rumbelle and I don't need to see it repeated with Jefferson. And I really can't see Emma ever forgiving Jefferson for helping Regina get the apple that poisoned Henry.

[Toughie]

And I really can't see Emma ever forgiving Jefferson for helping Regina get the apple that poisoned Henry.

That, and kidnapping both herself and her mother. The guy has put her family in danger nearly as much as Regina has. Jefferson is a fun character. And I like his interactions with Emma. But I wouldn't want it to be romantic.

One of the main reasons I don't like Rumpbelle is the whole treating her like sh!t thing and she still wakes up from the curse and is all "I love you! You threw me in a prison cell after we made out and then threw me out of your house! BUT I LOVE YOU!"

It's friggin' lame. Maybe that's a fairytale romance to some, but to me.. it's not.

Same with Jefferson and Emma. He drugged her. He had her at gunpoint. He indirectly poisoned her son. He kidnapped her best friend/mother. That's not a very good basis for a romantic relationship no matter how much people can change.

[Betsypaige1]

One of the main reasons I don't like Rumpbelle is the whole treating her like sh!t thing and she still wakes up from the curse and is all "I love you! You threw me in a prison cell after we made out and then threw me out of your house! BUT I LOVE YOU!"

She obviously had time to get to know him and she fell in love with the man, not the curse that had overtaken him. Belle told him that his comment about choosing power over her was simply not true, he was just too cowardly to choose love (so she knew how he felt about her). My point is that Belle believes (as do I) that there is a good man inside (she knows he's cursed and that THIS Rumple is not the REAL one) beneath all that glitter and bad behavior- and I believe she was coming back to him when Regina kidnapped her. He must have treated her well or else she would not have fallen for him; Belle does not strike me at all as a young woman who would fall for bad guys. She could have had Gaston, who by all outward appearances, was a good guy - but he was superficial and not appealing to her. She just strikes me as someone who puts a lot of thought into things.

[Toughie]

and I believe she was coming back to him when Regina kidnapped her.

Regina has done a lot of things but don't blame her for that. Rumple threw Belle out and then Regina kidnapped her. But, he made her leave first. If he hadn't, Regina wouldn't of had the opportunity to take her.

Unless I'm misremembering the episode.

[Betsypaige1]

Regina has done a lot of things but don't blame her for that. Rumple threw Belle out and then Regina kidnapped her. But, he made her leave first. If he hadn't, Regina wouldn't of had the opportunity to take her.

Unless I'm misremembering the episode.

I'm blaming her because they are two separate events. I've watched a bunch of Skin Deep scenes recently on You Tube, including the last one between them. Belle is the one who walked away, but even if he did throw her out of the castle, that doesn't mean Regina has to kidnap her. She's definitely to blame for that all by herself.

[AntBee]

I'm not really sure where to put this, but I know my Tumblr is blowing up because of this now. In this interview, Lana Parrilla states about the half-way mark that she justified Regina's vowing revenge on young Snow, because everyone from the Enchanted Forest only gets one true love.

I think the show meant for it to be a simple idea because fairy tales, imo, are based on that concept, but judging from all the comments about it so far, perhaps the show didn't think it through enough like many other ideas that the show has had.

I really don't have too much of a problem with it because again at least traditional fairy tales to me work that way, and I assume that Parrilla meant romantic love not that a person can't have ever share love with a child or parent or friend just because that person already has his/her true love.

I would love to read everyone's opinion about this idea though because I could see why it would bother people.

[agora]

Out of the love interests so far, I was really beginning to like Emma and Sheriff Graham in his final episode. They had enough chemistry that the relationship could have been developed. With Emma and August, I saw brief flashes of chemistry, but he's more like her older brother in some ways since he was responsible for her as a baby.

Truth be told, I can't picture Emma with anyone else until the show deals with Henry's father first.

I thought Graham was hot, but ultimately I saw him as an excuse for a catfight between Emma and Regina more than anything else. August has potential, but he's more of a responsible father figure for Henry than a hot lover type of character for Emma IMO.

[stealinghome]

I'm not really sure where to put this, but I know my Tumblr is blowing up because of this now. In this interview, Lana Parrilla states about the half-way mark that she justified Regina's vowing revenge on young Snow, because everyone from the Enchanted Forest only gets one true love.

I think the show meant for it to be a simple idea because fairy tales, imo, are based on that concept, but judging from all the comments about it so far, perhaps the show didn't think it through enough like many other ideas that the show has had.

I really don't have too much of a problem with it because again at least traditional fairy tales to me work that way, and I assume that Parrilla meant romantic love not that a person can't have ever share love with a child or parent or friend just because that person already has his/her true love.

I would love to read everyone's opinion about this idea though because I could see why it would bother people.

I don't think it's that big of a deal. I mean, I kind of took it as a given that in Fairytale Land, everyone only gets one One True (as far as romantic relationships go)--I'm surprised that anyone was surprised by this, quite frankly.

Heck, I don't even think that rule necessarily rules out post-true love romantic love. I mean, there are certainly people in real life who lose the love of their life, and then go on to have loving relationships/marriages. There's no reason that logic wouldn't hold in Fairytale Land--that Regina couldn't have fallen in love with someone else after Daniel's death, even if the new guy (or girl!) wouldn't be her One True.

[Camera One]

Heck, I don't even think that rule necessarily rules out post-true love romantic love. I mean, there are certainly people in real life who lose the love of their life, and then go on to have loving relationships/marriages.

But "One True Love" implies that any other romantic relationships would not be as fulfilling or complete. Whereas in real life, relationships where one was truly in love often can't really be ranked because they were unique but true.

So was Peter the "one true love" of Red Riding Hood? If so, her true love is gone as well.

[agora]

But "One True Love" implies that any other romantic relationships would not be as fulfilling or complete.

The way I see it, one true love doesn't have to be reciprocated. From my perspective, Emma was Graham's one true love but he wasn't hers, Peter was Litte Red Riding Hood's one true love but she might not have been his, neither Dr. Whale nor Snow White were each other's one true love despite they slept together, etc.

For example, if Emma's one true love is indeed Pinocchio, then that might explain why she wasn't happy with Henry's father or couldn't let Graham in, what really prevented her from getting involved is that, as an Enchanted Forrest creature, Emma Swan only gets one true love and hers was the 7 year old who saved her as a baby, even if she didn't remember.

Edited by agora, Jun 10, 2012 @ 12:40 AM.