So, here is Emilie de Ravin’s contractually stipulated one-episode-a-season that is all about her. Unfortunately, Henry, Hook, Snow and Charming have had little to sink their teeth into for quite some time, and Belle has never really had the focus she so sorely deserves. Generally, our action revolves around Regina and Emma, with secondary focus to Rumple, as these are the characters who have undergone the most character development. Pretty much all of her storylines revolve around being Rumple’s girlfriend, and that fact alone is probably why she’s still sticking around instead of subtly shuffling off to whatever those other characters are doing these days.

Throughout all of that, Belle has been wallowing somewhat in the background since being made a season regular in Season 2. For example: Archie, in Season 1, Ruby, in Season 2, Neal, in Season 3 (though at least he actually got a proper exit) and Will in Season 4 (does anybody miss him? No). There always seems to be one cast member each season that gets the raw end of the deal.

Hell, this season there are a whole ten members of the regular cast. In an ensemble show such as Once, it is inevitable that some characters are going to get more focus than others.

Once upon a time brave characters