D'Arvit !

Still Life with Oranges (1863)

Front cover of May 1898 edition of ‘The Black Cat’ with the Black Cat peering out from a bunch of forget-me-nots. illustration by Nellie Littlehale Umbstaetter.

Source: Scrimbab

Restoration by magscanner

BTS on Hot Ones!

North

To true love

He was always a man of morality, so much so that he was willing to turn against his own brother (who he ADORED) because he felt that the King’s actions weren’t honourable. He became a pirate because he didn’t want to live any longer as a pawn in a malicious game- he said it himself, that is the way of dishonour!

He turned down Pan’s offer because he knew it wasn’t right. He knew the only way to truly win Emma’s heart (and he will win it) was to be fair, and just, and to do the right thing.

He saves Charming’s life, even though he’s made it abundantly clear that he hates Killian, wants nothing to do with him, and would gladly stand between Emma and him - which many would argue is what Killian wants most of all.

Everyone in the show loves to act like Killian is such a villain in the beginning of this season, but tbh he’s being far more selfless than anyone else. He came back to Storybrooke because Emma said ONE sentence to him about being a part of something bigger, and that was all he needed. He just needed a purpose- and who can blame him? His entire family was killed, no wonder he turned a little selfish. I’m sure if Snow had no one left, she’d be pretty self preserving too. And yet. He came back, he helped them, he stood by them, fought with them, and kept being a DAMN GOOD MAN.

Hell, he even told the Charmings RIGHT AWAY when he found out about Neal still being alive, despite knowing that would crush his chances of being with Emma, potentially forever. He could have kept it to himself, but he chose honour AGAIN.

All the while having to put up with snide remarks from everyone about how much of a “dirty lying pirate” he was. He’s better than me, because that alone would have sent me into a rage spiral.

However, I think there're more layers to his choices than honor and Emma...

He wasn't really that man before joining the Royal Navy with his brother — he drank and gambled and was hotheaded, but Liam grounded him and showed him the right path as his father figure, the one who wouldn't abandon him despite making mistakes, despite Killian giving him the absolution to do so (5x15 — Killian: "Just do it, Liam. Go. I can never be the brother you deserve.")

And when it comes to why he came back to save the town, I'm convinced it's mainly because of Henry. The whole episode of 2x22 is paralleled with how he mentored Bae on his ship, wanting to be a family with him even. Bae was his chance at redemption ("I can change, Bae, for you.")...

And he stole the bean nevertheless, even though Emma offered him to be a part of something — who can blame him, she betrayed him when they got the compass and if there's one thing he despises it's betrayal. He only changed his mind when he learned that Henry is Bae's son, being reminded on his ship of how he failed him (running away with his mother, not fighting for him when Pan's brigade came to take him...), realizing that he doesn't want the same fate for Henry that Bae and he had to face (growing up with no father and mother — Regina in this case). But also realizing that this is a way he could make up for his past mistakes — saving/helping the people Bae/Neal loved. A new opportunity for redemption...

And that's why he didn't hesitate to tell them about Neal, too. That's why he decided to back off from pursuing Emma — he did everything for Henry, knowing from personal experience how important family is, cause he never really had one. He is so goddamn selfless in these cases, my heart always nearly bursts...

So I never understood why people even think his motivation is solely based on wanting to court Emma? David and Tink especially mention this in the show (they obviously don't have the full picture like we as the audience do) but the storytelling (editing, acting) definitely proves otherwise.

And this is clear from the start when he climbs the beanstalk with Emma — first thing he mentions is that he noticed she wants to go back to her son, being impressed by her determination because the only thing he knows is loss or abandonment (same as Bae and Emma), so actually meeting someone who fights for their child is something he feels drawn to...

Something he wants to do, too, in the future. Something he does by helping Henry grieve/remember his father instead of trying to replace him. By sacrificing himself over and over for Emma, Henry and her whole family...

NEW!!!! THIRD YEARS ILLUSTRATIONS OH MU GOSSHSHSHSHZ IM TWEAKIOGGGG

oh my god this moment is everything.