While Colin O'Donoghue's voice acting in Luck has shown his continued talents as an actor, his recent nostalgic tweet reminds his fans of his most memorable role to date: Captain Hook in ABC's Once Upon a Time. Known within the series as Killian Jones, O'Donoghue's portrays a more sympathetic version of Hook that won over fans with his hard exterior but sad backstory and kind heart.From his pirate nature to his refusal to admit his feelings for Emma, there are many trademark qualities that OUAT's Captain Hook has become popular and loved for, as evidenced by the plethora of memes that celebrate and summarize his character.
Life Before Emma
Part of what makes Hook's character so compelling are all the negative forces that drove him to become who he is when Emma meets him.
While his backstory is revealed primarily through flashbacks in later seasons and snippets he shares with Emma, it's clear that Killian has been wronged and manipulated by some of the most prominent and cunning characters in Storybrooke, with their betrayals and schemes trampling him until he meets Emma.
Protecting Emma
At first, Emma and Killian seemed like polar opposites; whereas Killian was dark, cool, and grudged, Emma was kind, forgiving, and friendly. This contrast and how well they complement one another is a driving factor behind the couple (known together as Captain Swan) being one of the most popular Once Upon a Time ships.
But while Killian may be tough on the surface, he undoubtedly has a soft spot for Emma and used his vengeful and determined personality to protect Emma at all costs constantly throughout the series.
A Floor-mance
Although O'Donoghue's version is considered one of the best portrayals of Captain Hook, it is also noted by fans to be one that has suffered the most, as shown best by the numerous "Captain Floor" video compilations and memes, such as this one.
Referencing the ridiculous amount of how often Hook finds himself on the ground thanks to a fight scene or some other injury-inducing event, Captain Floor memes poke fun at how Hook's affinity to the floor is just as (if not more) romantic and consistent than his feelings for Emma.
Ship Or Relationship?
A large part of Hook's personality in Once Upon a Time is his identity as a pirate and his pride at being the Captain of the Jolly Roger, which is justified given all the traumatic events he had to endure to eventually accomplish that feat.
Although Killian does prove to cherish Emma more than his ship when he trades it in for her, his devotion and love for the Jolly Roger are comparable to his dedication to Emma, with both owning large parts of his heart.
Love Of Rum
Hook's character in the series has many signature traits, from being one of the bravest characters in Once Upon a Time to his charming banter with Emma; however, one of his most memorable qualities is his undying and often-proclaimed love for rum.
Killian's love for the drink is a recurring fact on the show and a key part of his pirate persona, as he'd likely name his second child after the drink as a testament to his affinity to it.
Special Pronunciations
Killian Jones won the hearts of fans, not only with his initial bad-boy persona but also the emotional thawing of his character as the series progressed and formed some of the best friendships in Once Upon a Time.
Hook was an instant fan-favorite that kept getting better as he revealed more vulnerable sides to Emma and highlighted how sweet and swoon-worthy he could be. The softer way he spoke to at times Emma especially, emphasizing her name in his charming accent, showed how intimate their relationship was and what she meant to Hook.
Pirate Identity
One of the most important and defining aspects of Captain Hook's character in the series was his existence as a pirate and all the adventure and signature pirate elements that entailed.
From his expertise at sea to his love for the Jolly Roger and rum, Killian is a pirate through and through. While he has many other great qualities that differentiate him from other versions of Captain Hook, his dedication to and embodiment of the pirate life is a large part of who he is on the show.
Avoiding Sharing
While Killian may be one of the best and most beloved characters in the series, he does have a few frustrating tendencies that land him in unfortunate circumstances, as do most of the frequently appearing characters in Once Upon a Time.
For Killian, this pattern is avoiding talking about difficult situations, such as when he was cursed by Zelena in season 3 and had to stay away from Emma as a result. His avoidance is a classic trait that highlights how he wants to protect his loved ones, but sometimes has poor judgment on how best to do so.
Shell Phone
Not only does Killian personify the many tropes of being a pirate, but his character's backstory also has many nuances that further his personality as a person at sea.
This meme not only takes a hilarious spin at Hook's love for life on the water but also references a pivotal point in his character arc when he was wrapped up in the enchanted seashell storyline with Ursula and her father. Ultimately, many of Hook's plots and traits tie back to him being a pirate at sea, which is his overarching personality point.
Emma Over Everything
Hook's most memorable arc is undoubtedly his and Emma's slow enemies-to-lovers storyline, with the two going from never getting along to flirtatious bantering and then finally becoming inseparable and willing to sacrifice anything for the other's happiness.
Killian's endearing and undying love for Emma is one of the key aspects of his character, with his ongoing devotion to Storybrooke's savior becoming both a point of redemption for him and also a defining trait.