Yes, I remember you guessed Neal. I didn't think it'd be him because we already thought he'd died half a season ago (and I'm not looking forward to either having to watch the fallout again, or it having less of an impact on everyone this time because... no reason).
The problem is, I liked that about Neal. That he was kind of an idiot. So it doesn't make me less sad about his death.
I remember loving how unsatisfying his and Rumple's reunion was, how Neal didn't hate him but never seemed to quite forgive him – I love how it wasn't a clear-cut thing, especially in contrast with that false reunion Rumple had with August, which followed a simple script with anger and then forgiveness – but after a certain time I started thinking it's a problem Neal can't move past this. (A problem for him as a person, I mean; I don't think it was a problem in the writing, I liked it.) I mean, getting abandoned by his father like that is not a minor thing, but I couldn't help feeling he forever remains defined by it; so I agree he never quite grows up, but I think it's not just Neverland, but him not being able to get past this defining moment of his childhood. And that's understandable but ends up being a problem when both Rumple and him have such an impact on other people's life, that for him it is all about that one moment, and about who Rumple is to him. Because I think that's part of why he brought Rumple back so thoughtlessly? To him, Rumple is his family, and, like, he and his family – that includes Belle now, but that's it – have rights on him, and the fact that Rumple has been influencing several worlds in a significant way and is dangerously powerful doesn't really weight into it. Because that's something Bae's never liked and cared about anyway.
I really liked those hints, earlier in the season, when Neal wanted to go to Neverland, that he's quite capable of being quite ruthless when it's about getting his son back. But I thought this now, was rather rushed. Like you said, there was no hurry. I guess he was really desperate and not thinking, but still. Why not listen to this random magical candle that you just met and that is just conveniently standing around? I was cheering for Belle and her reasonableness.
I was sad for the other characters his death had impact on though. To be honest, that's the main reason I'm sad...
Re: Episode 3x15: "Quiet Minds"
The problem is, I liked that about Neal. That he was kind of an idiot. So it doesn't make me less sad about his death.
I remember loving how unsatisfying his and Rumple's reunion was, how Neal didn't hate him but never seemed to quite forgive him – I love how it wasn't a clear-cut thing, especially in contrast with that false reunion Rumple had with August, which followed a simple script with anger and then forgiveness – but after a certain time I started thinking it's a problem Neal can't move past this. (A problem for him as a person, I mean; I don't think it was a problem in the writing, I liked it.) I mean, getting abandoned by his father like that is not a minor thing, but I couldn't help feeling he forever remains defined by it; so I agree he never quite grows up, but I think it's not just Neverland, but him not being able to get past this defining moment of his childhood. And that's understandable but ends up being a problem when both Rumple and him have such an impact on other people's life, that for him it is all about that one moment, and about who Rumple is to him. Because I think that's part of why he brought Rumple back so thoughtlessly? To him, Rumple is his family, and, like, he and his family – that includes Belle now, but that's it – have rights on him, and the fact that Rumple has been influencing several worlds in a significant way and is dangerously powerful doesn't really weight into it. Because that's something Bae's never liked and cared about anyway.
I really liked those hints, earlier in the season, when Neal wanted to go to Neverland, that he's quite capable of being quite ruthless when it's about getting his son back. But I thought this now, was rather rushed. Like you said, there was no hurry. I guess he was really desperate and not thinking, but still. Why not listen to this random magical candle that you just met and that is just conveniently standing around?
I was cheering for Belle and her reasonableness.
I was sad for the other characters his death had impact on though.
To be honest, that's the main reason I'm sad...