Let us all form a prayer circle in hopes they treat the characters well. Sigh. I just don't trust those writers not to royally eff things up. Especially since A&E seem extra bitter.
I'm going with the speculation that Gothel is trying to destroy all magic and Henry/Regina/etc. have to return to SB to warn people, since SB exists because of magic. Or, IMO, Rumple is using Gothel to destroy all magic, since maybe that would destroy the Dark Curse with it and he could die and be reunited with Belle in the afterlife.