First a few thoughts about Broken from my rewatch and then I have a theory about Hook based on The Outsider.

Broken Thoughts

I'll have more in my picspam but there are a few points which don't make my favorite scenes but I still want to note.

1 - We didn't know Aurora yet so I don't think it was really apparent on first viewing but she is shown to be quite capable, stubborn, and intelligent right from the beginning. Mulan leaves her alone with no idea where she is in the forest at night and she not only finds one of the horses but tracks down Mulan as well. The narrative treats her like a child or someone who must be coddled but that is all Phillip being overprotective (trying to get her to sleep, not telling her what has happened, disappearing without a word) not Aurora actually being incompetent. That makes me wonder if Phillip, who has spent decades with the memory of Aurora, wasn't sure how to deal with the real Aurora anymore. And that also makes me think that their eventual reunion isn't going to be quite as simple as Happily Ever After. Or at least it shouldn't be. They have issues they need to work out.

2 - Modern day Neal is adorable. Flashback Neal was rather greasy and unwashed which is not unusual for someone who lives on the street but not as appealing as someone who showers regularly. Yes, Modern Neal also seems resigned and just getting through from day to day, but he is still adorable even so. I think I'm going to be very happy when he reappears. Also, I adore how his apartment is so...Storybrooke. It's a mix of old and new and odd items which would fit perfectly next to Mary Margaret's apartment or Gold's shop. He's timeless in the same way they are and I find that very interesting.

Hook Theory

Hook: Oh. Are you going to kill me, now? Go ahead. Try.
Cora: So brave. No, I’m not going to kill you. I have something far more satisfying in mind. I’m going to leave you here with your thirst for revenge unquenched, while I complete our journey without you.
Hook: There’s no need to be rash. We can...Discuss this.

Belle: Because his heart? Is true. And yours? Yours is rotten.
Hook: You have no idea...

Hook: Do it! Do it! Kill me! He has to show you how powerful he is...Rip my heart out. Kill me like you did Milah, and then I’ll finally be reunited with her.

Hook: Well, now you finally know how it feels! Well, go ahead, crocodile. Do your worst!
Mr. Gold: Oh, I intend to.

Three times Hook dared someone to kill him and one time he didn't. That one time he didn't gave me an idea to explain all the other times.

Hook has had 300 years, or thereabouts, to consider the matter of killing Rumpelstiltskin. He knows that Rumpel is powerful and could kill him with a gesture. So, how to go up against someone who is powerful and immortal? Hmmmm. One way is to find him when he doesn't have magic and, well, I get the feeling Hook is way more competent at killing people than it seems right now. But that didn't work out since magic is back.

Another way is to find his weakness (we know Hook has learned of the dagger) and use it against him. We see him attempting that with Belle. However, that is a very risky thing to do and certainly could fail. Hook needs a failsafe. Something which would get the Crocodile no matter what.

And that something I believe has to with his heart. Something to make it literally rotten. Something which will kill anyone who uses magic to kill him. Even the Dark One. Then all he has to do is put himself into Rumpel's way and taunt him until he loses his temper. *BOOM* And it would have worked perfectly if it weren't for Belle convincing Rumpel to spare Hook's life.

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