#Anti Belle French

[missielynne]

I realize Belle and Rumple's relationship was terrible a lot of the time and didn't exactly do a lot of good for making him look good but I feel what the narrative does is that although Belle meets the show's requirements for what "good" is, they also make her so naive and stubborn and unworldly that she gets herself into trouble as well so sometimes it's really hard to feel bad for her and call her good. If part of her plotline had been teaching her about how her original views of good and bad were problematic and caused just as much trouble as she thought it stopped, that would be one thing, but Belle was just too foolish at times for me to look at her and go "You were ever only a victim here, honey, poor you let me wrap you in a blanket." Just like the show fails to acknowledge Rumple's good, they also fail to acknowledge and deal with her bad or her stupid and foolish.

[rumbelle-scream]

rumbelle haters really deceived themselves saying Bobby was fed up with OUAT coz of rumbelle 😭 BOBBY??? Mr. i-prefer-to-kiss-my-onscreen-wife??? EM-IS-MY-BESTIE CARLYLE? they were spreading fake news in 2023 😭 they got hurt or smth?

#rip to y'all #not me tho #robert carlyle captain our captain

(it was also a belle-anti who said it 😂 they hated her being a series regular)

[ryik-the-writer]

No one:

Me: You know who would have been better as Belle's infidelity partner than Will Scarlet? Jefferson.

Before I begin, THIS IS NOT A BELLE HATE POST! Yes, I am going to address IT, but I am not putting her down for this...and I'll tell you why.

So after that god-freaking-awful twist in 4x11 when Belle sends Rumple over the town line, both he and Belle are left shattered at their dubious betrayals, the latter of which so much so she sought additional comfort (again, not hate, just hear me out).

That love interest ... for whatever reason ... was Will Scarlet, a cameo from Once Upon a Time's short-lived spin-off OUAT in Wonderland, which had ended a few months prior.

I, along with a good chunk of the fanbase, thought it was a unique choice, and most likely a way to acknowledge the spin-off in canon.

Don't get me wrong, I like Will as a character in OUATIW, but he was just off to me in OUAT. Like he was just shoved in there without a real purpose. Even his scenes with Robin Hood felt forced to me.

And honestly, it seemed strange to me that Belle, the logical scholar and fruitful romantic, would break her wedding vows of all things even after what Rumple did.

BUT THEN AGAIN, I also don't think it's established how intensive wedding vows are in this universe. I mean, Snow technically cheated on David with Dr. Whale, and while it's addressed comedically, it's not really addressed as an issue in their marriage but they comfortably move on from none the less.

Of course, it's obviously just the show's weakest attempt at *drama* and a way to baffle the Rumbellers into stunned silence so they can focus on *other things* (I am NOT going THERE today.)

And I think I remember an article or something about Will's actor's Michael Socha, feeling underused and wanting out especially since he had a kid at home. While he has a few zingers between him and other characters like Rumple and Hook, he looks so awkward when he's on-screen with Belle, like even he doesn't know why he's there!

But for the sake of *drama* Belle needs some side yum. Cool. Girl's gotta work out her frustrations some way right? But WILL SCARLET?!

This Will Scarlet?

"I love you Anastasia Tremaine" Will Scarlet?

Who ripped his heart out because her betrayal was just too much?

For freaking sake, they had a TLK!!!

I will only, and I mean ONLY accept the following two theories as a reason why...this happened...

1. This takes place during Will and Anastasia's break.

It's established in the OUATIW that the events in the spinoff are happening sometime in either late-season 1 or early season 2's canon. I think. But maybe, just maybe, it was actually around season 4's timeline? The timeline is screwed to hell anyway so...

Ana's presence is established in OUAT after Will, who broke into the library and vandalized a copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, is arrested and held indefinitely. And while Will looks distraught at the mention of his former love, but he's not devastated enough

The scene subsequently serves as a pointless but sweet way to introduce Belle and Will. I myself wrote a fic few years back as a way to fill in how that played out afterwards. But the actual writers just kind of tossed it in there.

And dropped it.

Yeah, WIll just kind of disappeared after season 4. Thanks for stopping by, I guess.

And btw, you cannot convince me that a guy who reacts like this after watching the love of his life get killed in front of him:

Like I kid you not, Will's screams and cries were stuck in my head after that episode. I gasped and covered my mouth. I remember feeling the same way when Graham died in OUAT because Emma's grief was just as raw as this. This is not the kind of grief you just up and move on with so casually. This sticks with you.

BACK TO JEFFERSON

Okay, I swear, I have a point.

Again, if Belle just *needed* a love interest during her break from Rumple, fine, but why not use the opportunity to do some freaking fan service after that Frozen mess?

Bring. Back. The. Hatter.

Why Jefferson?

He has an established relationship with Belle.

Even if the ugly truth is Jefferson had to know Belle was being held captive in the hospital asylum, Belle would still, begrudgingly, be grateful he freed her and reunited her with Rumplestiltskin. Maybe he tried apologizing with coffee, and...things happen.

Plus he has an established relationship with Rumplestiltskin PRIOR to Belle.

No. You cannot tell me these two:

...were just "business associates". No these two were hitting shroons in Wonderland every Tuesday at happy hour, do I make myself clear? It's obvious they weren't friends but they worked well together.

That scene in the shop would have been BANGER if Jefferson had been in Will's place. I mean the possibilities are endless with their establishment. They could have opened up an opportunity to explore more of Rumple's deals with Jefferson to find a way to the Land Without Magic, or even their shared connection with Regina, established, beloved connections in the series the audience would be comfortable with.

And honestly, I think Belle and Jefferson could have very nice chemistry too.

Their both worldly, and I can see these two sitting at a booth in Granny's forever as Jefferson told her her stories about his travels, maybe even a few tales about his deal and possible friendship with Rumplestiltskin. And maybe he helps her heal a bit.

That scene in 4x12 where Belle and Hook talk about Rumple really rubbed me the wrong way. What Rumple did to Belle and, yes, even Hook, was awful, but Hook never had to answer for his part in Rumple's decline. What did he think would happen if he threatened to blackmail him with Belle of all people?

Not to mention, Belle and Grace would have gotten along so well.

At this point in the series, Grace is a young teenager, and could possibly use a female presence. She like Henry, would probably understand that her father needs more companionship and would support their relationship. And it would be great foreshadowing to Belle's own relationship with her child later on. And Belle LOVES kids and could have formed a very promising bond with Grace. Regardless on how her relationship with Jefferson could have ended, Belle would have this girl over for sleepovers every week.

[vasfasan]

girl what level of logical fallacy is this

Their argument in this scene is so indicative how Rumple sees her: doesn't see his GIRLFRIEND as capable woman with agency, doesn't trust her to do anything important and doesn't think she can survive without him babysitting her.

And this is at a point where the show tries to convince us that they are in a happy, mutually-respectful relationship.

"I don't wanna lose you too" lol no you just dont trust her to not make things worse

when in season 6 fight, he says 'you knew exactly what man i was and who you signed up for' yeah.... yeah.

[crocodilequeen2011]

Controlling

Forces change

Selfish

It makes her look toxic af

"I am not a child!", Belle exclaims and then she proceeds behaving like one for six more seasons

[couragehopelovefaith]

Still to this day, I can't understand why the writers of OUAT and some fans believe that Belle got her happy ending. She deserved so much better. Also, continuing to be bitter about the fact that a such a toxic couple like Rumbelle got any kind of Carl and Ellie-parallels.

[ebdaydreamer]

AND BELLE SENT HIM OVER THE TOWN LINE!

It's such a well done, beautifully acted scene. It's so satisfying to see Belle finally take a stand and realise that she's worth more than this. Even if it hurts to make that stand

[poisonappleeater]

ouat rewatch journal (s1e11):

nah brotha i js got to the start of the rumbelle disaster😭 stockholm syndrome patient zero babes

[hitchell-mope]

(The Riot Act)

Belle: why did you bring us here?

Henry: it’s a library. Our family loves a library

Gideon: answer my mother’s question nephew.

Henry: or what? My father, your older brother is already dead. So you can hardly fling him into a herd if stampeding wildebeests and blame me for it so shut up and sit down. Good. Now to answer your question grandmother. I’ve brought you here to uh lay down the law as it were.

Belle: this is about Rumple isn’t it? He asked you to talk to us didn’t he?

Henry: yes and no. This is about grandfather but he doesn’t know I’m talking to you about him.

Belle: whatever it is I don’t want to hear it. He’s let me down too many times.

Henry: really? Is that what you think? Because from where I’m standing you’re the one who let him down.

Belle: excuse me?

Henry: true love. From my understanding it means you accept and embrace everything about a person. Including their less agreeable parts.

Belle: of course I love Rumple.

Henry: yes but I don’t think you like him very much. You refuse to accept his darker inclinations and keep insisting he change into something he isn’t to please you.

Gideon: he betrayed her trust. And mine.

Henry: boohoohoo(.) Grow. Up. Rumple would do anything for you. For the both of you. And therein lies the problem.

Belle: what problem?

Henry: Rumple is too caught up in trying to earn your unneeded forgiveness that it’s distracting him from what truly matters. Saving my mother from the joker sitting next to you. My plans hinge on Rumple having his mind focused on the task at hand and you stringing him along like a cat with a laser pointer isn’t doing me or Emma any favours.

Belle: he made his choice. He loves power more than he loves me.

Henry: of course he loves power more than he loves you. When it comes down to it everybody chooses self preservation over everything else. And if you’d had the shitty live that Rumple had you’d understand. He needs magic. Otherwise he’s just a cripple whose wife abandoned him and their son because he chose to do the responsible thing instead of the honourable thing. Milah and their village called it cowardice. I call it strength. He is probably one of the most strongest people I know. And I’m including my mother and her side of the family in this. It takes a lot of strength and courage to mutilate yourself just so your son doesn’t have to grow up fatherless.

Belle: I. I never thought about it that way before.

Henry: of course you didn’t. Because as far as you’re concerned. To be good is to have an extremely narrow viewpoint in morals.

Gideon: leave her alone.

Henry: and now we come to you. You who thinks he is so hard done by because he was raised by a malignant narcissist who saw him as an accessory and extension of herself. Well I got news for you Uncle Gideon. We’re in the same boat. Only I managed to weigh anchor in my momster. And you’re still following your one’s every whim and blaming your father for it.

Gideon: he abandoned.

Henry: Reul Ghorm lost the fight against the black fairy that ended with you being raised and abused by your grandmother for decades. Not Rumple.

Belle: what do you need us to do?

Henry: forgive him so he can focus on helping me save my mother.

Belle: okay.

Henry: and you.

Gideon: what?

Henry: you need to lose the fated fight. Understand?

Gideon: or what?

Henry: you will me to answer to.

(End of The Riot Act)

[sprnklersplashes]

also I woke up this morning and my first thought was gideon french x driver's seat by madds buckley

and yeah. yeah

[moonbeamnights]

Ok but the chipped tea cup is actually so great as The Rumbelle Symbol (tm) because of how scared Belle was of what Rumple was going to do to her for breaking it and how it got played off as endearing and romantic and "oh he's so kind" when he didn't do anything. This cup is literally the physical representation of "Rumple gets to act like he treats Belle well because he could be worse but he isn't" and that is the perfect summary of their relationship.

[violetfaust]

🙃 blocking Kill Beauty in the Belle tag like it’s 2017 🎶

[rumbelle-scream]

i've probably ranted about it a hundred times already...

but BUT the way regina stole belle's heart? the scenes don't make sense. the characters don't make sense.

i liked the rumple&will team up to steal belle's heart, but on belle's side, it's not making sense! regina asked belle for her heart, and yet she's clueless when it was returned? regina's not supposed to pull hearts and order people against their wills either! there was no need! she overstepped! and did i mention how it never got brought up again!?

the subplot ends with belle looking at rumple longingly, like she remembered that "oh! i love him." then follows the apparent breakup between belle and will. (oh, and his place in this show also doesn't make sense!)

ergo, this is my most hated plotline. above all the s5-s7 weirdness, this is one where i don't even consider it canon. there's always a better, alternate version of the situation in my head. my headcanon pieces this stupid stupid situation together.

[tomeandflickcorner]

not a mutual, just stumbled on your blog because you rb'd one of my posts, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on Belle!

(also is it okay to reblog your post asking people to send you characters to give opinions on?)

Sure, no problem!

For the most part, I did like Belle. She was pretty much based on one of my favorite Disney princesses, after all. She was a strong, smart and clever woman. It was cool how she seemed to make friends with everyone she met, too. (Grumpy, Anna, Ariel, Mulan, Merida etc.). And the friendship she developed with Killian was particularly wonderful, considering their rocky start. It spoke volumes about Belle’s ability to forgive people.

Of course, you could say she sometimes took this ability to forgive a little too far. For instance, with her on-and-off-again husband. If you still ship those two, more power to you. But for me, the fact that Belle kept going back to him again and again was nothing short of terrifying. I’m not saying it was wrong of Belle to not want to give up on Rumpelstiltskin/Gold. Because, yes, you should always try to give someone another chance. But the problem with this is that Gold didn’t WANT to be saved. Every time he was given a chance to change, even to the point where he got the Dark One’s power siphoned out of him, complete with a bleached out heart, he still chose to take that power back. He never once chose his love for her over his love of power and control. Which tells me that Belle was never his first priority. So having Belle ultimately return to being his happy little housewife was heartbreaking, and it really felt like the whole Stockholm Syndrome story that some people claim the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast is.

I apologize for going into an anti Rumbelle tangent, but it’s hard not to discuss that when talking about Belle. Because whenever Belle was with Gold, her storyline seemed to revolve exclusively around him. It’s not hard to notice that Belle only ever interacted with the other heroes whenever she and Gold were split up. That, to me, suggests that she only had a chance to truly shine when she wasn’t with Gold. The only time Belle actually had a chance to BE Belle was when she was free from Gold’s influence. (So I probably won’t ever forgive the writing team for fridging her to benefit Gold’s season 7 storyline. Belle deserved so much better.)

Send me a character

[vasfasan]

mikey's ouat rewatch notes: 5x01 "Dark Swan" (part 1)

trigger warning!! - brief mention of r*pe, lots of swearing and an unusually high consentration of memes

part 2 - here!

[chimerazodiac]

Devil Doesn't Bargain by Alec Benjamin represents Rumbelle PERFECTLY.