Best Developed and My Favorite Character: Regina Mills (Goodbye Series 5 of 5)
This is my last piece in the “Goodbye Series” for Once Upon A Time and , personally, it was really hard for me to do. It wasn’t hard from a technical standpoint but just because I’m saying goodbye to that rare character on tv that doesn’t come around very often. I haven’t felt this sad about a tv show since I had to say goodbye to Dana Scully the first time around. I was going to delay this but what better day to put this up that Mother’s Day? I think Regina would describe herself first and foremost as Henry’s mother, don’t you?
What can I say that hasn’t been said or expressed- not a lot because there are some damn good writers in this fandom so I’ll just say what she meant to me and the show. I truly don’t think this series lasts as long as it did without this character. She’s , for me, the best developed by these writers and, I think, the one they took the most care of. From the Evil Queen to Regina to Roni and back to Regina, this character took us on a unique journey that I think (in one way or another) we can all relate to. I, like many, have done things I’m not proud of and even have been completely run over by life just like Regina but , like Regina, I’m a fighter. I bounce back and I do honestly believe what Lana has said in the past- “good can come from broken” because I’ve been really broken.
What also made this character unique and so cherished was Lana Parrilla. She embodied this role and really worked hard to make this character relatable and that’s really not easy to do in this genre..no matter what award voters think. Regina was who she was because Lana put her blood, sweat, and tears into this character and I’m forever grateful to her for making me believe in the Evil Queen.
It took roughly a season and a half before it became undeniable that Regina (Lana Parrilla) was the real star of Once Upon a Time.
The middle seasons were obsessed with her journey from being the Evil
Queen to being one of the heroes’ strongest assets. She had the most
dynamic and compelling storyline, while Emma was stuck struggling with
her magical identity and no real development for far too long. The only
person to match Regina’s prowess on the show was Rumpelstiltskin (Robert Carlyle),
who took over the spotlight in the most recent seasons of the show. His
own redemption struggles made every other storyline on the show pale in
comparison.
Rumplestiltskin sacrificed his key bargaining chip with Regina–his true identity–over a teacup that reminded him of the woman he loved. From behind bars, he traded all of his power away for Belle, even though he believed she was dead and had no hope of ever seeing her again. The memories attached to that object were so precious, so powerful, that winning the cup back was the only thing that mattered.
The scene humbles me every time I see it. His haunted eyes, the desperation, the edges of despair beginning to creep in…and the immediate relief when he has the cup back in his possession. How cradling a fragile porcelain shell allows him to slip back behind the mask to dwell on happier, simpler times; to feel hope even though he believes his true love is gone forever. Even though he knows he was the one to drive her away and believed himself to be responsible for her death.
Don’t ever tell me Rumplestiltskin doesn’t adore Belle with his whole heart. Don’t ever tell me he’s not a man who can be wholly honest and completely vulnerable. Don’t ever tell me he’s not an utterly romantic fool.
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