ONCE UPON A TIME Saw The Ultimate Sibling Showdown in “Sisters”

From Rivals to Sisters

The second face off featured the Mills sisters, Zelena and Regina. These two have been butting heads since their first official meeting way back in Season 3. The Wicked Witch of the West has been fueled by envy of her half-sister and the life that she had.

Remember, in Season 3, Zelena’s goal was to go back in time and prevent Cora from giving her up, potentially erasing Regina from existence. Then just when Regina thought she had defeated Zelena for good, Zelena switches places with Marian, leaves Storybrooke with Robin and Roland, and becomes pregnant with Robin’s child, causing some of the biggest baby mama drama in a fantasy series.

Regina had no intention of making peace with her sister until she decided that her identity was found in feeling a sense of belonging in the world. The sisters battled in Camelot; they tried to come to an agreement, but Regina eventually sent Zelena back to Oz. The Underworld has given them a chance to begin reconciliation. However, nothing between them would ever move forward unless Zelena finally had a chance to talk with her mother, a gap that she has been desperately trying to fill all her life.

We need to remember who Cora was prior to her death in Season 2. Her line from the flashback in the Enchanted Forest summed it up: “The only person I could depend on was me.” The Queen of Hearts was selfish, believed love was weakness, and made strategic decisions to accrue more power. She sent Zelena away in a vortex to Oz in order to give herself her best chance at marrying royalty and growing stronger in her magic. Throughout her life, Regina only wanted her mother’s love, but Cora rejected that relationship. In the flashback, when her daughter finally did meet and discover the truth, Cora denied her daughters the chance to be sisters by separating them and removing their memories of ever meeting. Cora did not make mother of the year. That is, until this episode.

After Regina recruits Cora to help end Zelena’s relationship with Hades, Zelena is finally reunited with her mother. Zelena is able to see right through the manipulation and ulterior motives of her mother and half-sister and lashes out. The two sisters almost give into their hate for one another when Cora intervenes and decides to do right by her daughters. Cora gives their memories back, revealing that Regina and Zelena had met before in the Enchanted Forest as children and cared for each other deeply. Cora owns up to her mistakes, calling herself a fool for ever believing that love is weakness. Regina’s love for her family and friends makes her stronger than Cora could ever be, and Cora commends Regina on that. She shows true remorse in having given up Zelena and asks forgiveness for denying her the family and love she always wanted. Cora’s unfinished business was never about the countless people she killed but with both of her daughters. The two sisters tearfully forgive their mother and stand with each other as they watch Cora move on to a better place. We were introduced to Cora, full of evil and selfish desire; we said goodbye to her as she left her daughters with words of love.

Family can cause the greatest amount of pain; they can also bring about true healing, love, and encouragement. Zelena has been at turmoil with herself as she’s trying to be selfless for her daughter and turn over a new leaf. She believes that she can change Hades for the better, but she’s afraid she is too wicked to be saved. Her mother gives her some parting hope: it’s never too late for family. The list of offenses between Zelena and Regina runs long, but love is greater still. It’s never too late for forgiveness and healing. Regina finally chooses to let go of her anger and be a true sister to Zelena, one that encourages her to follow her heart to the Lord of the Underworld. They have come a long way, and now the Mills sisters are finally that: sisters.

Worth Mentioning

• Hades’ music choice to set the mood for his private dinner with Zelena was definitely on point. Nothing says old, romantic love like The Ink Spots with “I Don’t Want To Set the World On Fire.” Plus, dancing with himself while waiting on Zelena was adorable.
• Emma’s face when Cruella and James were displaying their affections for another was absolutely priceless!
• So where was Henry during the action? He got to miss out on all the fun family drama!
• Cruella always delivers the best lines. Line of the night has to be “Why is everything in the woods with you people?”
• Speaking of lines, Zelena’s first line to Cora back in the Enchanted Forest was: “Are you a good witch or…” Didn’t a certain good witch of the North in a pink dress ask that same question to Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz”?
• For the record, I believe Josh Dallas had way too much fun playing both James and Charming in this episode.
• Killian’s hook allowed Cora to regain her magic and escape with Killian to find Regina. It was so good to see them together again, considering how much they’ve grown since working together in their villainous days. Also, Cora was the first one notice Killian’s connection to Emma after his adventure up the beanstalk in Season 2; now he and the Swan girl are in love, fighting for each other’s happy endings with each other.
• Part of what made Season 3 of Once Upon A Time great was its choice of villains, Peter Pan and Zelena. While they never met, they both left made an impact on our heroes’ lives and set the tone for villains to come, with the exception of Ingrid, the Snow Queen. Now we get to see these incredible villains battle. It’s “Pan Never Fails” vs. “Wicked Always Wins.” Who will come out on top?