Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-8345449-20151128142008/@comment-8345449-20151128160831

But Regina was already portrayed as a straight out and rather one-dimensional evil character right from season one. They even had Snow White saying that Regina wanted her dead only because she was prettier, though that was retconned later.

She lied all the time, never kept deals or promises she made - such as with Jefferson (even Rumple has her beat in that department). And her actions always seemed petty and cruel without much justification e.g. separating Hansel and Gretel from their father just because they didn't want to be with her. Basically, after she turned evil, she had nearly zero redeeming qualities. The flashback where she slaughtered a village did not really contradict what was revealed about her character when she was evil.

On the other hand, when Hook was introduced, he came across as somewhat heroic though blinded by vengeance. He never came across as particulary cruel or bloodthirty. Which is why I feel that the revelation about his rings really overturned everything that was portrayed about him so far. And it was done in just a few lines of conversation.