Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-25926288-20181014145935

Or rather a better, truer version as to how Regina saw herself.

Caveat: Regina obviously was a tad bit delusional and very misguided, but hear me out.

Regina in her early Queen days saw herself as wronged by someone being defended as if she (Snow) wasn’t a terrible person. Regina (18-19) was in love, first love, with Daniel (24-25). He was killed due to “her” actions. Regina wanted to eliminate her as if “she” was a blight on the world, profiting from others’ unhappiness. Regina’s actions separates “her” from “her child”.

I use a lot of “her” to see you could replace it with Emma, Neal, and Zelena. Emma has first love with Neal when she was 17 and he, 23 (or so). Zelena indirectly killed Neal. Emma couldn’t see how anyone could defend Zelena who seemed to thrive off others people’s unhappiness. She wanted to get rid of her and all darkness and even separated Zelena from her child.

The difference is Regina saw herself that way but truly wasn’t. The Dark Swan was a truer version of Regina than Regina was to herself, in a sense. 