Sunday’s Once Upon a Time promised a beloved character would say goodbye, and that’s exactly what happened. After stepping in front of Regina and saving her from permanent death, thanks to Hades and the Olympian Crystal, Robin Hood said farewell to his one true love, the fans, Storybrooke and the show that he’s been part of for three seasons.
More: Once Upon a Time: Wait, is [spoiler] really dead?
It was as devastating as it sounds. Just when I felt like I was really getting to know Robin, falling even more in love with the ship that was Robin and Regina, and becoming even more curious about his lion tattoo, the show goes and kills him. Obviously, Once is a show that kills characters (and fan favorites, too), but it’s just unfortunate, especially since it sure seems like Regina will never find her happy ending.
For some time now, fans suspected that Sean Maguire would soon part ways with the fairy tale drama. Despite such rumors, it appears that Maguire wasn’t prepared for Robin’s death and found his character’s write-off disappointing, just like myself and other fans.
https://twitter.com/MarauderMeg/status/729812190111408128
Regina Mills deserves better. Robin Hood deserves better. OutlawQueen deserves better.#OUAT
— Mellie (@NewGirlThings_) May 9, 2016
Robin's death was so unnecessary why would they kill him 😫😫😫
He deserved better and Regina didn't deserve to suffer again #OUAT— 🏹🇵🇸 (@endlesssfeb) May 9, 2016
I'm not okay about Robin Hood being killed! Another heartbreak for Regina! I want my #OutlawQueen together! #OUAT
— Ivy Joy (@hedera_geila) May 9, 2016
While chatting with The Hollywood Reporter, Maguire opened up about how he felt about Robin’s fate, which sure seems to be permanent. “In all honesty, no, I wouldn’t say that I was,” the 40-year-old British actor said about whether he was happy about how Robin’s journey came to an end. “I felt like it was an abrupt end; I didn’t feel the character had any development this year and wasn’t really written for. That was disappointing for people who liked Robin Hood and liked him and Regina together.”
He added later on, “I try not to bother the guys [cocreators Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis] but I thought being a regular this season, I thought maybe they’ll get to Robin a little later and we’ll be able to see some of that development but unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.”
More:When is Once Upon a Time‘s Mulan going to catch a freakin’ break?
Maguire even told TV Line that he didn’t think he’d be killed off so quickly and was kind of blindsided by it all. “I was a little shocked, to be honest,” he admitted. “I didn’t expect that, because given what the writers had written, the fans and I sort of believed there was a different path for Robin.”
He also recognized why some fans are upset, especially since it sure seemed like Regina and Robin were end game. They were supposed to be soul mates, right? So, why kill off Robin? Plus, fans never really got a thorough Robin Hood backstory. Who knows, but Maguire feels the pain of those rooting for Robin. “I think some of the audience feel a little but shortchanged, like they were being promised something was going to come, but it never did,” Maguire told Entertainment Weekly. “Again, it’s not for me to comment on why or how; my job is just to serve the writing. That’s what I’ve always tried to do to the best of my ability.”
That all said, Maguire still respects Horowitz and Kitsis, especially since he himself is a writer. “I write myself and I understand how important it is to be true to what the writer’s vision is,” he told EW. “In all honesty, I don’t feel that a character like Robin Hood got the development that he could have had. But I respect the way the guys want to run their show. You either have to be on board or not. I’m happy to serve the writers.”
Thank you to all #OUAT fans around the world for the love & kind messages.Its been an honor being your Robin Hood.@OnceABC
— Sean Maguire (@sean_m_maguire) May 9, 2016
I have to agree with Maguire’s disappointment over Robin’s short-lived time on OUAT. I sure would’ve liked to see him become a permanent figure in Storybrooke and in Regina’s life. But all is said and done, so I guess I’ll just have to live with it and see what the series has in store come the end of Season 5 and the beginning of Season 6.
Once Upon a Time‘s two-hour Season 5 finale airs Sunday, May 15 at 7/6c on ABC.
More:Did I really just witness Once Upon a Time‘s Cora become Mother of the Year?
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
Leave a Comment