Are you a Once Upon a Time fan seeking closure after last night’s episode? Check out what the bosses have to say about [spoiler]’s departure and what that means for the future of the show.
Starting off the spring leg of season 3, a major death loomed on the horizon. It was last night’s episode of Once Upon a Time where fans bid farewell to a major character. Stop reading here if you did not watch the entire episode!
For a show that is no stranger to bringing characters back from the dead, watching Neal die in Emma’s arms may have given a few fans hope that once his eyes closed in Storybrooke, they opened in some loophole of time and space elsewhere. Unfortunately for those fans, and Emma/Neal shippers, the man formally known as Baelfire is indeed gone forever.
Speaking to E! Online, creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis confirm that Neal’s death is permanent on the show and that Emma’s determination to bring down the wickedness in Storybrooke has some added fuel.
In Neal’s final moments he asked Emma to make sure that Henry knew his father was a good man in the end. Kitsis and Horowitz both agree that Neal’s story was complete, saying,
“What we liked was the idea of history repeating itself and Neal going down the same path as his father. He was just as obsessive to get to his own family, and then realizing that mistake and having the father repeating the same heroic thing for his son, as his father did for him.”
Neal’s sacrifice also leaves the door wide open for Emma and Hook to start to cozy up to one another. However, for Emma, life in New York with flying monkeys may look better than sticking around Storybrooke after the witch is dead and gone.
Actor Michael Raymond-James took to Twitter and expressed his gratitude towards the show and the writing staff, making sure that fans knew he trusted their decision to end Neal’s story in this manner.
#Oncers, mahalo for all the kind words. With so many rumors, I've decided to break radio silence to set the record straight on a few things
— MichaelRaymond-James (@MRaymondJames) March 31, 2014
1) I did not ask to leave the show. Nor was I fired. Neal's death was nothing more than a bold storytelling choice. As an actor I always
— MichaelRaymond-James (@MRaymondJames) March 31, 2014
want to tell bold stories #OUAT
— MichaelRaymond-James (@MRaymondJames) March 31, 2014
Adding a bit of levity, he writes:
2) I have never in my life, trashed, destroyed, or otherwise damaged any trailer what so ever.
— MichaelRaymond-James (@MRaymondJames) March 31, 2014
Before sealing it with love:
I have nothing but love and the utmost respect for everyone that works on the show. From My cast mates and crew to the network on down #OUAT
— MichaelRaymond-James (@MRaymondJames) March 31, 2014
I will always be a #Oncer. Thank you so much for your passion. Stay tuned and #SpreadLove. Peace
— MichaelRaymond-James (@MRaymondJames) March 31, 2014
Carry on, Baelfire. We’ll pour one out for you this Sunday.
Watch Once Upon a Time season 3, episode 16, “It’s Not Easy Being Green,” Sunday, April 6 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.