I think it's partly due to the fact that he's compared to Regina, in terms of villainy. I mean, Rumpelstiltskin is pretty bad, he does some awful stuff, but he's up front about it, he's actually basically honest, and he doesn't abuse kids. Compared to Regina? Guy's pretty cool.

Everyone also wishes they'd done more with Maleficent. I wish they'd done more with Emma Caulfield, in any role. Also, there needs to be more Granny. She gets to use a shotgun in a future S2 episode. It is badass.