Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-11058666-20150207044725/@comment-25926288-20150207125324

Zelena is a combination of stuff that went good and bad.

Effectiveness: She was pretty effective in her plans and nearly won. She strategically went about things and even enslaved the Dark One. Surprisingly, she was more effective/ efficient than Pan. Pan's plan failed, was rushed, and even changed at the end that makes him seem less effective. Zelena also didn't look weak and it was apart of her character. Pan looked weak and it wasn't apart of his character. Cora is a good example of what effectiveness looks like for a short term villain.

Plans and Motivations: Here's where Zelena goes off the deep end. Her plans make no sense. She goes back to be born, kept, raised as a royal with Cora's manipulation. She would be Rumple's student and sacrifice, probably her mother to cast the curse that in no way benefits her at all. Then, Rumple would probably kill her since she would probably kill Belle or mess up somewhere after reversing the curse after he finds Bae. It's incredibly stupid. She would lose all she fought for for her stupidity. Why would she need the Dark Curse if she had what she wanted?

Sympathy: I think it's hard for them to create a sympathetic character in a short time. The only short term villain that was actually sympathetic and redemptive was Ingrid. Ingrid was only successful in that department because she was just alternative Elsa. Zelena's jealousy makes zero sense too. She had a family that loved her, even if her father didn't. She pretty much ruled Oz. She has no need for Regina's life. She would have only suffered in it. She likely has some mental disorder or lack of clear logic because it makes no sense.

Zelena is delightfully wicked, but pretty much nothing else.