Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-28162607-20180101191335/@comment-28162607-20180113113501

Here is the thing about Regina's redemption and the victim blaming (this is kind of a conversation moved from another thread). In 3x18, Snow says that "Well we would have found something to argue about, I mean I was such a brat". Snow puts the blame on herself for Regina's abuse, because she was bratty. In the same episode we see her apologise to Regina for killing Cora in defense of her family but Regina does not apologise for killing Leopold for no reason other than to continue her abuse campaign of Snow. And in 3x22 past!Snow says she did ruin Regina's life and the narrative never contradicts her. Then later in season 4 Snow says "You knew how shallow and selfish I could be as a child. You are not all evil and I am not all good."

This is the issue with Regina's redemption (and subsequently, why I worry that they could do this in season 7 with Gothel or Drizella), the writers equate Snow being a bratty but still kind child with Regina being a mass murderer and say that Snow deserved it.

There is more victim blaming surrounding Regina (mainly with regard to Emma) but this is the majority of it.