Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-4839682-20140819182912/@comment-24674051-20141024172837

Also, and this is probably one of the biggest distinctions between Rumple and Regina. Regina has, on more than one occasion, apologized and made amends with those she has wronged in the past. She restored Ariel's voice AND gave her the means to be human any time she wants. She apologized to Belle and gave gave HER Rumple's dagger. And some of the scenes between Snow and Regina (deleted and otherwise) show a huge amount of growth in her character, as she has owned up to her part in the problems that the two have had over the years.

In Marion's case, She has not apologized (yet), but she did save her life from Marshmallow, and is really trying to find some way to save her now.

The point being Regina is not just giving lip service to her change, but is actually acting on it. She is really working on walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

Rumple, on the other hand, gives plenty of lip service to his change, but his actions do not match his words. He is a man of many masks.