[GrhmLz]

Hm, that's interesting. My guess is we might get shown some kind of union|marriage in a montage at the end of the finale?

[sherry02]

Originally Posted by GrhmLz (View Post) Hm, that's interesting. My guess is we might get shown some kind of union|marriage in a montage at the end of the finale?

That's what I'm thinking too.

[kindness is free]

We will have to wait and see

[sherry02]

Also have to keep in mind that even if something we haven't seen yet was filmed, there's always a chance for it to get cut. Wish Robin and EQ exist outside of the current storyline right now, so in my mind that puts them more at risk for a cut scene. I'll be keeping my expectations in check.

I don't know how I'd feel about this anyway. On one hand, it's kind of a nice thought that there is some version of OQ out there that is happy and completely unaffected by the baby storyline. I think this is a couple I could appreciate in fanfiction or even a spinoff (which we won't get) because they really have a clean slate to start from. On the other hand, it feels very wrong to me that the darker version of the couple gets to be happy while our Regina, who did the work to change, is left to grieve her soulmate and our Robin who was a good, kind man had his soul obliterated. Given the choice, I would still prefer proper closure for the couple I love than a happy ending for the couple I have no investment in. No matter how they try to sell it to me, that couple is not the one whose story I was watching the last few seasons.

[GrhmLz]

Sherry, those are my same exact sentiments. That is basically how I see it and how I feel about the situation. Dark OQ I didn't have the investment for and yet the real OQ that I was invested in lacks closure and is tainted by that baby storyline. It's frustrating because it feels like we got thrown scraps that we have to be grateful to take or something.

Another thing, I just realized that if Rumple dies, which I feel is very possible, notice how it will be two canon pairings that had the villain|former villain in it, losing one of the couple to a death and; thus, not getting their HE? (Even though Hook was a villain as well, I am thinking back to the villains at the start of the series & he's the love interest of the Savior)

My guess is Rumple would make a sacrifice that would stick this time around, doing something to release his mother's hold on his son for good? I can see him agreeing to trade places with Gideon and then the Black Fairy will have the Dark One at her side. This would probably end with giving Belle a HE with her son. My guess is there would also be some convenient de-aging scenario by Blue Fairy, lol, as baby Gideon being snatched happened on her watch.

I predict only Snowing & Captain Swan walking away with their HE as couples.

[sherry02]

I think Snowing and CS are pretty much guaranteed happy endings.

I think Rumbelle could go either way. I could see your thought of Rumple dying in a sacrifice for his family and I could also see him surviving and he and Belle leaving town at the end of the season. It would seem rather telling if both couples involving a former villain don't get their happy endings.

I know Henry is the most important person in Regina's life, but I'm a mom of a teenager and a pre-teen and I've become very well aware recently that every year their lives become more and more their own. Kids grow up and move away from home, sometimes far away from home. Henry is a very independent young man who already has an interesting destiny laid out before him. He's not going to be living with Regina that much longer. He's only with her part-time now. She'll still be a big part of his life, but it won't be that long before Regina would be coming home to an empty house every night while everyone else has someone to go home to. It just makes me sad. I think that's why I'm somewhat open to the possibility of a new love interest for her if the show continues.

[kindness is free]

I don't want Regina to be alone when Henry starts his own journey away from home either!

[GrhmLz]

If Rumple does not die - I definitely see it playing out the other way, Sherry. Rumbelle would likely leave together. I don't see Robert staying; I think there was talk|rumor after s5 aired that he was already bored with OUAT and would just remain up to the 6th season contract expiration.

The one thing that I believe stands in the way of Rumbelle ever having that final HE together is Rumple remaining the Dark One and his love of the power. I don't foresee a victory against the Black Fairy and leaving SB changing that about him and there has been no sign of Rumple deciding to give all that up for his family unless a last minute hail mary change is passed off in the finale? Only for that reason, I am leaning more towards a sacrifice BUT I can be completely off base.

Your explanation about Henry coming into his own, and ANY child really, is the same understanding I try to apply to others who want to sell me on the 'Regina doesn't need a man to be happy' reasoning. The arguments will quickly point out she has Henry which is true but Emma has Henry as well and children grow into their own lives and relationships. I try to explain it's not about needing a man; it's about Regina's original canon from s1-s4 ish showing she wanted that true love, first with Daniel, and later her second chance with Robin Hood. Some arguments make it sound like Regina's character was always pushing the independent woman trope when that was revisionist in s5 because Sean's Robin Hood was leaving the narrative. I saw Regina as very lonely as opposed to just being alone in her Young Queen|EQ days. Just my perspective, of course.

I would be open to a new love interest for her if the chemistry is there and good writing sells it this time. I just have no idea what their plans are for a potential s7 and what they will do with the characters who stick around.

[kindness is free]

I would love for Regina's search for true love to get her somewhere he has had so much heartache already!

[sherry02]

Originally Posted by GrhmLz (View Post) Your explanation about Henry coming into his own, and ANY child really, is the same understanding I try to apply to others who want to sell me on the 'Regina doesn't need a man to be happy' reasoning. The arguments will quickly point out she has Henry which is true but Emma has Henry as well and children grow into their own lives and relationships. I try to explain it's not about needing a man; it's about Regina's original canon from s1-s4 ish showing she wanted that true love, first with Daniel, and later her second chance with Robin Hood. Some arguments make it sound like Regina's character was always pushing the independent woman trope when that was revisionist in s5 because Sean's Robin Hood was leaving the narrative. I saw Regina as very lonely as opposed to just being alone in her Young Queen|EQ days. Just my perspective, of course.

I always though her comment to Robin in 3x21 "I just never thought I'd have this" is very telling. It says to me it was something she wanted, but didn't dare to hope for anymore.

Originally Posted by GrhmLz (View Post) I would be open to a new love interest for her if the chemistry is there and good writing sells it this time. I just have no idea what their plans are for a potential s7 and what they will do with the characters who stick around.

Yeah there is always the worry that even if she got a new love interest that it might not be well written. I'd rather her have no love interest than another poorly written story.

[GrhmLz]

Originally Posted by sherry02 (View Post) I always though her comment to Robin in 3x21 "I just never thought I'd have this" is very telling. It says to me it was something she wanted, but didn't dare to hope for anymore.

Yes, exactly.

Plus, in s4, I forgot the exact episode number but it's during the QoD arc, there is a scene with Regina and Henry researching the Book about the author in her office and Regina says something to the effect of 'sometimes I think I'll never be as happy as I was when it was just you, me, Robin, & Roland.'

I also felt dialogue such as this was all very telling.

Yeah there is always the worry that even if she got a new love interest that it might not be well written. I'd rather her have no love interest than another poorly written story.

Part of me does wonder if Lana stays, do they intend to have Dark OQ as part of the new book? I guess that's always a possibility but I would find it so weird that part of herself is off living it up with another version of Robin Hood while Regina finds somebody completely new?

I think at this point, in a s7, I would be happy with a good plot that Lana is strongly tied into.

[kindness is free]

Heather I agree with you we need a good story for Regina to lead in S7

[GrhmLz]

Originally Posted by together for life (View Post) Heather I agree with you we need a good story for Regina to lead in S7

What that could entail I guess we'll have to wait and see what the finale hints at to get a better idea on what to speculate about.

I have been wondering, though, if before the Black Fairy's demise, does she do something drastic by the end of the final battle which unleashes the Dark Curse into our world, so that darkness spreads, and it's no longer contained just in a vacuum in a place called Storybrooke?

[kindness is free]

That is an interesting theory and it could be what happens like you said we will find out little bits in the finale as to what could be instore for Regina in S7.

[sherry02]

Originally Posted by GrhmLz (View Post) Part of me does wonder if Lana stays, do they intend to have Dark OQ as part of the new book? I guess that's always a possibility but I would find it so weird that part of herself is off living it up with another version of Robin Hood while Regina finds somebody completely new?

It's possible, but I think if they did, it would be more like guest star appearances. I don't see how Dark OQ would tie into the main narrative if they are living in a different realm. It's possible the people from Storybrooke would have reason to go there though or that Dark OQ would have reason to be in Storybrooke. I don't see Sean being brought back as a regular though or Lana playing 2 roles indefinitely. If they weren't trying to cut costs, I might think they could move the main narrative to the enchanted forest, but I imagine those costumes are far more expensive than the Storybrooke costumes.

Let's be honest, if they bring Dark OQ back to Storybooke, it will be so Regina can see what she might have had and make her cry. We all know they love making Regina cry.

Originally Posted by GrhmLz (View Post) I think at this point, in a s7, I would be happy with a good plot that Lana is strongly tied into.

Yes, if the plot is a good one, then I will be happy. I hope we get some clues from the finale as to what they are planning for season 7. The summer hiatus is so long, it's difficult to wait.