ONCE UPON A TIME’s Season Finale Clears the Stage for New Untold Stories

Regina Mills vs. The Evil Queen

Also over the course of the series is the story of redemption of Regina Mills, formerly the Evil Queen of the Enchanted Forest. After a young Snow White shares a secret that leads to the death of her first love, Regina goes down a path to darkness, destroying the lives of many through her dark magic. As the Evil Queen, she enacted the dark curse that brought the Enchanted Forest inhabitants to Storybrooke. In the midst of her evil plan, she would begin to be transformed by love when she adopts a newborn Henry, starting her path to redemption. Over the course of the series, Regina has come into her own as a hero by allowing love back into her life, choosing to do right by Henry, forgiving Snow White and Cora for their past transgressions, and finding her place in the world. And yet, despite all of her heroic deeds, part of Regina Mills is the Evil Queen; it takes maximum effort on Regina’s part to keep the Evil Queen from coming out.

Losing Robin Hood was a major blow for Regina. Not only did she lose her true love, but she has begun to lose her will to stay good. What good is being a hero if you constantly lose the people you love? Regina believes that everything she gains nobly she will eventually lose because of the damage caused by the Evil Queen. She would rather live in permanent misery than let the Evil Queen out to play again. After being paralleled with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the Land of Untold Stories throughout the season finale, Regina is given the same chance to physically separate herself from the Evil Queen and destroy her grip on her once and for all. Using the serum brought over by Dr. Jekyll, Regina Mills and the Evil Queen become two distinct women. The Evil Queen taunts Regina about the woman she has become, claiming love has made her weak and forgiveness has clouded her judgment. Regina hesitates at first, but she is reminded that love is indeed strength; Regina takes control and crushes the Evil Queen’s heart, freeing herself from her dark side for good.

While the physical manifestation of her evil side is separated from Regina, it does not change the fact that there is light and dark in every person. Removing the Evil Queen does not exempt Regina from giving into darkness; the Evil Queen is just the radical manifestation of that evil that has gripped her for so long. Now that we know the Evil Queen was not destroyed by Regina, she will have to face that reality and actively confront this evil. Regina Mills is a complex character, but she has proven to be stronger than what she is given credit for. Despite the horrors the Evil Queen committed, Regina Mills is proof that we are all capable of a second chance, letting love fuel us. There is no doubt that Regina will learn to acknowledge and deal with the struggle within her as well as put the Evil Queen to rest once and for all.

Worth Mentioning

• The season wrapped a nice bow on its season’s storylines by sending Merida, the people of Camelot, Roland, and the Merry Men back to their lands through a portal opened by Zelena. The goodbyes were short, but the feelings were strong. We will miss Roland’s adorable dimples as well as Merida’s fighting spirit.
• My top questions after the finale are the following: How did the Dragon survive after Tamara seemingly killed him back in Season 2? What realm is Rumple in now and what does he need to actually break the sleeping curse? Will all the heroes have to battle their evil sides next season? Is there a chance to see more domestic activity in Storybrooke besides battling the evil forces that wage against them?
• One of the last scenes of the episodes is a quiet moment between Emma Swan and Killian Jones. This season has been a constant battle for the two of them, individually and as a couple. They have overcome the darkness, multiple tearful goodbyes, death, and a trip to the Underworld and back. Now finally, without being in the midst of battle or exchanging final words before death, Emma expresses her love for Killian with a simple “I love you.” This moment speaks volumes because after seasons of keeping her heart guarded to love, she can finally say it without baggage and confidently know that it is wholeheartedly reciprocated. The two passionately kiss, ending the season on the happiest of notes.
• With Dr. Jekyll as a new citizen of Storybrooke, will he be taken under the wing of Charming and Killian? Will he get himself a roommate? I could see him starting his own comedic YouTube series figuring out his new life physically separated from Mr. Hyde.
• Did anyone else start to tear up when Regina read Robin’s letter to her?
• I DEFINITELY noticed room service jamming to the 80’s classic “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield. Plus, there was another shout out to Yaz. Appropriate calling this mission Operation Mixtape.
• When Violet gave Henry the good news that she would be staying around, she told Henry that her father is actually a Yankee from Connecticut. This is in reference to the 1889 novel “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” by Mark Twain and was adapted way later by Disney into the 1995 movie “A Kid in King Arthur’s Court.” Mind is actually blown from this new connection.
• Early predictions: I would not be surprised if we get the untold stories of Dracula, Davy Crockett, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame next season! Regardless, we should get a great cast of characters and brand new stories to explore. See you this fall when Once Upon A Time returns!