#anti hook

In Season 3A, Hook is used to juxtapose Neal to make Neal look like the healthier, better option in the love triangle. Contrary to popular belief, the Captain Swan relationship in this half season is portrayed as toxic and unhealthy.

Hook’s romantic interest in Emma only goes beyond flirting after he learns Neal (Baelfire) is Henry’s father and Emma’s ex, a major red flag given Hook’s romantic history with Neal’s mother, Milah. On Neverland, Hook bonds with Emma over Neal’s supposed death, but this connection is built on lies: Hook falsely claims he and Neal were close friends while Neal was in Neverland. In reality, Hook faked the friendship to gain intelligence on how to kill his father, then betrayed Neal by selling him to the Lost Boys and abandoning him for centuries, something that Emma never learns about.

Hook and Emma first kiss was transactional, a reward for Hook saving Emma's father's life. After Emma thanks Hook, Hook challenges her, stating "That all your father's life is worth to you?". Emma is the one to kiss him but only after being practically dared to while in an emotionally vulnerable state. This is contrasted in a later episode by Neal convincing Rumple to save David's life for no cost or expectations from Emma.

Hook’s actions become even more toxic once Neal reunites with the group. After hearing Neal and Emma confess that they still love each other, he tells Neal about his and Emma’s “dalliance.” He does this purposely, knowing Neal’s hatred for lies (the reason Neal’s friendship with Hook ended badly before) and that the word “dalliance” implies more than just a kiss that Emma later downplays. Hook’s revelation was solely intended to hurt Neal emotionally.

In the next few episodes, Hook takes advantage of Neal's pain and tension around him by continuing to pursue Emma aggressively. Hook provokes Neal until Neal snaps, leading to the immature lighter fight, which casts Neal in a negative light and prompts Emma to reject him.

Afterwards, Neal apologizes to Emma for his immature actions. This is contrasted by Hook showing no remorse for his part of the lighter fight. Hook has no guilt since he did what he intended: made Neal look bad in Emma's eyes.

Overall, Hook’s relentless pursuit of Emma, despite her repeated rejections, is not romantic or positive but a sharp contrast to Neal’s approach of giving Emma space and autonomy. Neal respects Emma’s choices, letting her decide when and how to engage emotionally. Neal is the healthier and more emotionally mature option in the love triangle, which is why Emma gradually softens toward him during this season.

I mean his mother became the dark one, a situation his father had been in at around the same age as Henry, shouldn't we investigate, how his previously healthy relationship with his mother could be damaged because of a curse that has hounded his family for years and torn family members apart (well I guess not because for that storyline to work Neal would have to be alive, man I hate the writers.)

After a certain point it feels like he stops being Henry and starts becoming a completely different, boring character/plot device who gets sidelined and forgotten and the odd occasion the writers actually remember his existence he gets stupid subplots like the romance with violet that's about as interesting as a beige wall.

His arc about destroying magic was interesting, but after about an episode it's resolved and he goes back to being a forgotten character.

It's sad because season one Henry was such an interesting and fun kid, and he could have grown into a compelling main character alongside his mother. However, as soon as Neal dies, that goes out the window, along with Henry's screen time and personality. All so Hook can become the most pointless, irritating character of all time.

I mean Henry had the potential to be one of the most interesting characters on the show, he's the son of Neal and Emma, his grandparents are Rumplestiltskin, Snow and David and his mother is the evil queen, he's the link between everyone and yet he's underutilised.

I mean, Neal just died in s3. And it was clear that he and Emma were still in love. In the series, they have said many times that they still loved each other. But Hook was already insisting on Emma to be with him. He could think that she maybe needs a little space. Their relationship happens so fast, in my opinion. It's as if he forced her to be with him.

And, he is always lying to Emma, or hiding her something. And when she asks him a favor, like when she asks him to take Elsa to a safe place, no, he has to do whatever he wants, no matter if he's wrong.