In the intricate world of Once Upon a Time, Rumplestiltskin’s death is a pivotal moment, deeply intertwined with prophecy, dark magic, and familial bonds, particularly his complex relationship with Peter Pan. His sacrifice, though heartbreaking, wasn’t merely a plot device; it was a culmination of his fears, his understanding of magic, and his yearning for connection. To truly grasp why Rumplestiltskin had to die, we must delve into these core elements that shaped his fateful decision.
The seer’s prophecy hung over Rumplestiltskin like a specter, foretelling that Henry would be his undoing. Rumple, interpreting this as his impending death, lived in constant fear of this prophecy coming to fruition. When Henry was abducted by Peter Pan, Rumplestiltskin’s grandson, this fear intensified. Saving Henry became paramount, even if it meant paying the ultimate price. He initially attempted to circumvent fate by trapping Pan in Pandora’s Box, but Pan’s persistent threat to his family underscored the prophecy’s looming presence. While some might argue Rumplestiltskin could have defeated Pan in other ways, simply using his shadow, for example, his deep-seated belief in the prophecy likely convinced him that a more profound sacrifice was necessary to truly safeguard his loved ones.
Beyond the prophecy, the nature of dark magic itself played a crucial role in Rumplestiltskin’s choice. As established in Once Upon a Time, when a Dark One dies without being killed by another, their immense power is unleashed, becoming volatile and destructive. Rumplestiltskin, acutely aware of this, understood that merely killing Pan wouldn’t eliminate the threat of dark magic. By embracing Pan in his final moments, Rumplestiltskin ensured that their combined dark magic would be annihilated upon their deaths, a necessary act to prevent further chaos and protect the realms from uncontrolled power. This understanding of dark magic’s consequences solidified his decision to sacrifice himself alongside his father.
Finally, at the heart of Rumplestiltskin’s sacrifice was his deeply complex relationship with Peter Pan, his father. Abandoned as a child, Rumplestiltskin carried the scars of this paternal rejection throughout his life, even harboring resentment towards his father. However, beneath the anger, a longing for connection persisted. In their final confrontation, Rumplestiltskin’s affectionate kiss on Pan’s cheek speaks volumes. By dying with Pan, Rumplestiltskin not only neutralized a formidable threat but also, in a profoundly poignant way, achieved a form of reconciliation and shared a moment of love with his father in their final moments. This desire for familial connection, twisted and complex as it was, was a significant factor in Rumplestiltskin’s ultimate, heartbreaking choice in Once Upon a Time.
