Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26443838-20150616023923/@comment-24674051-20150617134908

I agree. They never shows Mal as redeemed in the same way that Regina or Ursula are redeemed. Mal does have her daughter, and seems to be wanting to restore that relationship. But that does not mean that she's reformed. It just means that under that "Scary Dragon B****" exterior is a real person with real feelings.

Mal going to the Charmings just shows that, unlike most of the antagonists, She's intelligent, and knows when it's in her best interest to work with the 'good guys'. Saving Emma from being the Dark one may or may not be in her best interest, but Lily might persuade 'Mom' to help out for the sake of friendship.