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Leo Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina that: “Happy families are all alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” That description seems apt when looking at Regina’s parents and her less than stellar grandfathers (paternal and maternal).
Much of Regina’s dysfunctional family remains unknown to us. It’s clear that her mother Cora was clever, ambitious and possessed of a powerful loving heart that she had to remove in order follow that ambition. Regina’s father Henry from first impressions seems a gentle, kind-hearted man who loved his child unreservedly and felt tremendous guilt at having failed in his duties as a father. Regina’s maternal grandfather the Miller, well all we know so far is that he belongs at an al anon meeting instead of around a mill stone. Regina clearly inherits quite a bit of her paternal grandfather King Xavier’s traits including his sense of humor, intelligence, deviousness and cruelty.
Based on these observations one is left with several questions:
As of now we know nothing about Regina’s grandmothers, her uncles (assuming her father’s 4 elder siblings are male). We also do not know where the magical blood in the family comes from. By process of elimination it’s safe to assume that Cora’s magical ability comes from her mother’s line. If that is the case then is Cora’s mother even a mortal?
Given how kind and gentle Prince Henry is I can’t help but conclude that his mother was an equally kind and gentle person. We also must ask how much of an influence on young Regina was her grandfather Xavier, if he was truly intent on leap-frogging Henry forward in the succession did he take his grandchild under his wing and impart his expectations of what her royal duties were as heiress presumptive?
Thoughts…
[adrotate group="5"]Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
Regina’s father Henry from first impressions seems a gentle, kind-hearted man who loved his child unreservedly and felt tremendous guilt at having failed in his duties as a father
Your take on Henry Sr is interesting and puts me in mind of Screwball’s Essay (when in doubt, quote Screwball): http://screwballninja.tumblr.com/post/57307432756/henry-sr-a-silent-partner-essay-in-8-parts
Regina clearly inherits quite a bit of her paternal grandfather King Xavier’s traits including his sense of humor, intelligence, deviousness and cruelty.
I remember rumors quite after The Miller’s Daughter aired that Regina might be Xavier’s daughter because Xaiver and Cora seemed awfully chummy. He was certainly sexually attracted to her and her ability to make gold. She was would relish the idea of having a King at her feet using her feminine wiles.
As of now we know nothing about Regina’s grandmothers, her uncles (assuming her father’s 4 elder siblings are male).
I’ve often wondered if most of the uncles are dead. We know Cora planned a lot of blood shed in order to rise to power yet by Stable Boy, Cora and Henry are not the rulers. So at least ONE must be alive. But it wouldn’t surprise me if Cora killed most of them.
By process of elimination it’s safe to assume that Cora’s magical ability comes from her mother’s line. If that is the case then is Cora’s mother even a mortal?
Magic is odd in this show but it seems to be that there are two types of magic
1) Learned or Cursed: Cora, Regina fall into the first part and Rumple into the second. Other examples are Snow who can do magic just by having seen it as a kid.
2) An actual MAGICAL being: Emma is the only person in the Onciverse so far who simply IS magical and does not have to learn it.
Given how kind and gentle Prince Henry is I can’t help but conclude that his mother was an equally kind and gentle person
Given how passive Henry is, I conclude that he was largely ignored his entire life and learned to never be seen nor heard. If his mother was alive I sorta picture that she has more concerned with her older children who were closer to the throne.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Magic is odd in this show but it seems to be that there are two types of magic 1) Learned or Cursed: Cora, Regina fall into the first part and Rumple into the second. Other examples are Snow who can do magic just by having seen it as a kid. 2) An actual MAGICAL being: Emma is the only person in the Onciverse so far who simply IS magical and does not have to learn it.
I’d disagree with that premise it stands to reason that C0ra and her daughter are inherently magical to begin with and that Rumple awakened those abilities. I point to the moment when Rumple touched Regina’s face and perked up when he sensed how powerful she was. Snow doing magic was she or was she merely making use of an already magical compound i.e. squid ink. As far as Emma not having to learn, she is inherently magical yet recall the dream catcher Rumple needed to teach her how to focus her innate abilities as he had done with Cora and Regina. Consider Cora at the spinning wheel and the push Regina gave her mother through the looking glass. A & E have mentioned that some of our characters have what I believe they called the “spark.” Akin to the Star Wars universe where you have Force sensitive individuals who have the ability to feel and control the Force and train to become Jedi or Sith.
The more plausible categories would be inherently magical (Mills women & Emma) and acquired magic (Rumple)
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
I never thought about Regina being Xavier’s child rather than Henry’s before. It could also explain why Cora was pushing Regina to be queen so much beside just plain old ambition. If Regina was Henry’s, because Henry was “5th in line to the throne”, it would be reasonable to assume Regina would never have been Queen. If Regina was Xavier’s daughter, it pushes Regina up the queue in terms of succession.
All magic comes with a price!
Keeper of FelixA & E have mentioned that some of our characters have what I believe they called the “spark.” Akin to the Star Wars universe where you have Force sensitive individuals who have the ability to feel and control the Force and train to become Jedi or Sith. The more plausible categories would be inherently magical (Mills women & Emma) and acquired magic (Rumple)
Yeah I suppose I agree with this but I would still put Emma in a class unto herself. She is not just merely inherintly magical like Cora and Regina. She is True Love (the most powerful magic of all) in human form and the Savior–this is something neither Cora nor Regina can claim. And in 201 and 222, Regina’s magic isn’t enough; she needs Emma to jump start her magic to make the hat work and then she needs Emma’s strength to stop the failsafe.
I never thought about Regina being Xavier’s child rather than Henry’s before. It could also explain why Cora was pushing Regina to be queen so much beside just plain old ambition. If Regina was Henry’s, because Henry was “5th in line to the throne”, it would be reasonable to assume Regina would never have been Queen. If Regina was Xavier’s daughter, it pushes Regina up the queue in terms of succession.
I’m not sure if it’s actually true and if it is I rather doubt we’ll ever see it or have it confirmed. For all intents and purposes, Henry Sr was Regina’s father and the thing she loved most.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"Yeah I suppose I agree with this but I would still put Emma in a class unto herself. She is not just merely inherently magical like Cora and Regina. She is True Love (the most powerful magic of all) in human form and the Savior–this is something neither Cora nor Regina can claim. And in 201 and 222, Regina’s magic isn’t enough; she needs Emma to jump start her magic to make the hat work and then she needs Emma’s strength to stop the failsafe.
One thing about Emma’s magic that gets me though. If Emma’s magic is so powerful, why the magical synergy with Regina? All we know is that Emma is the “Savior” but of who and by what method? Call me crazy but I think Emma’s mission is to save Regina and by saving her (an by extension her whole family and the townsfolk) then w/ the power of two let’s call them light-siders the happy endings can be brought back. Rumple did say of Emma that she is “the key.” Besides A&E being Star Wars fans and fans of unexpected story twists let’s remember that Luke was the hope but his father was the chosen one and in the end the father not the son restored the balance. Neverland is going to be Emma’s Dagobah I think and she still hasn’t had her “failure at the cave” moment. A & E also stated that there’s more to Emma’s magic than just being a true love child. Adam also said in a twitter feed some time ago that Regina is more than evil and Cora also said she was so much more than a miller’s daughter. Remember that Rumple was confused by the nature of both Cora and Regina when he encounters them. He expects to find Cora ready to have everyone bow before her (an idea I think he planted in her mind) and is shocked when he finds Regina a kind and gentle soul and not the spitting image of mumsy and granddad.
Returning to Regina’s family I’m much more curious about her grandmothers and her uncles than her mother and father at the moment. On the question of the grandmothers, A&E have mentioned that while evil is made, good must also be learned. In that spirit I have to ask where did Regina learn to be so kind, gentle, pure etc. Where did her father despite his flaws get his kind heart?
My thought would be that Regina’s paternal grandmother may have despaired of her older children being under their father’s yoke and since he was her youngest (at least so far as we know) she may have lavished on him the love and attention that his siblings didn’t get. It seems that the arranged marriage tradition (i.e. marry who the king tells you) is one followed by the kingdoms of the EF. Now assuming Prince Henry’s mother was married to Xavier out of duty and not out of choice we can assume that Xavier’s wife if she didn’t share her husband’s convictions may have believed in true love and soul mates. It’s possible that she imparted this hope to her son, but because of his father’s badgering Henry never had the courage to assert that core conviction because he was too afraid, afraid of his father his wife and yes even his daughter. When he finally does assert that conviction in 1×02 his daughter has already been so damaged by the Darkness that she takes his heart for the Curse.
Regina’s maternal grandmother makes me wonder, if my theory that Cora’s magic is a legacy of her mother pans out could her mother be and mind you it may be out of left field, but could Cora be a changeling (a fairy child) and here’s the kicker could she be Blue’s daughter? (IMPORTANT: Read the following with what Neal said in “Manhattan” about fate/destiny events being if you will intentional)
Now, the general consensus of opinion seems to be that Blue is hiding some important secret(s)/ ulterior motive(s) from everyone, hence the Sneaky Fairy meme. Now why would Blue sabotage Nova’s love affair and why would she try to muzzle a free spirit such as Tink? I’m betting that in Blue’s past she didn’t quite live up to what she defines as “fairy-like” Blue does come off as a tad sanctimonious. If Cora is her child then Blue would despair of her and Regina falling under Rumple’s sway the way Obi-wan and Yoda did when Anakin fell to the Dark Side. Now Blue could be playing a deep game here with the intention of trying to make right her mistakes. Tink’s well-intentioned but fool-hardy attempt to unite Regina with Rob was the right thing to do but because Tink broke the rules for the umpteenth time apparently Blue withdrew her belief in her, which had to happen for the plot to advance. Blue may have been haunted by a similar failure in her past that she couldn’t correct because of the rules that she now so strictly enforces.
Now since hypocrisy isn’t too much a stretch with Blue especially given the fib about space in the wardrobe. It’s also curious that when Blue tells Geppetto that she has to be off to make preparations with the fairies she turns and gives a nod to the cricket. And later in Storybrooke after the curse breaks what does Jiminy do, he goes off to try and help Regina find out who she truly is. I doubt this is a coincidence esp. given that Jiminy was so sour about Regina’s chances at reform in 2×10. Something must’ve happened between then and the curse to change his mind and I think its plausible for him to be a party to any plans Blue might have had. I also would point out that Cora took on Blue’s form to manipulate Snow and Blue mentioned Cora by name when she chastised Tink which suggest some history there. On a side note Blue like Cora is brown haired and brown eyed as well (just had to get that in there).
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
One thing about Emma’s magic that gets me though. If Emma’s magic is so powerful, why the magical synergy with Regina?
Interesting. Though we haven’t seen much magical interaction with Emma and any other magical being. Emma and Cora never used their magic together; Rumple has guided Emma but never magicked with her. there is a spoiler that Regina will be teaching Emma magic so you could be on to something
Call me crazy but I think Emma’s mission is to save Regina and by saving her (an by extension her whole family and the townsfolk) then w/ the power of two let’s call them light-siders the happy endings can be brought back. Rumple did say of Emma that she is “the key.”
CRAZY!
Lol no just kidding. I think Emma is responsible for saving everyone equally. I don’ think Regina needs saving via Emma’s power any more than say Hook or Rumple or even Snow and Charming. And I’m not sure I would call Regina a light-sider. I don’t really think anyone is black and white on this show, they are all gray. I think Emma is the key to everyone, not just Regina.
In that spirit I have to ask where did Regina learn to be so kind, gentle, pure etc. Where did her father despite his flaws get his kind heart?
I would say that in Regina was all those things in Stable Boy but she was also very passive, like her father Henry Sr. One mean look or act of torture from Cora and she was instantly weak and cowed. I think Regina has many traits from both her parents–Cora’s ambition for power (though only awakened when she felt she had no other way out) and her father’s passivity.
My thought would be that Regina’s paternal grandmother may have despaired of her older children being under their father’s yoke and since he was her youngest (at least so far as we know) she may have lavished on him the love and attention that his siblings didn’t get.
I would say that’s a fair assessment
Regina’s maternal grandmother makes me wonder, if my theory that Cora’s magic is a legacy of her mother pans out could her mother be and mind you it may be out of left field, but could Cora be a changeling (a fairy child) and here’s the kicker could she be Blue’s daughter?
Wow. Hm. I’ve seen PP and Rumple and now Cora be the child of Blue. Not sure I buy any of them but…interesting
Now why would Blue sabotage Nova’s love affair and why would she try to muzzle a free spirit such as Tink? I’m betting that in Blue’s past she didn’t quite live up to what she defines as “fairy-like” Blue does come off as a tad sanctimonious
Ah. Well I’ll give you my own headcanon: long long long ago Blue fell in love with a mortal man but as all mortal men are wont to do: he would someday die. Unable to live without him, Blue enchanted a dagger that would turn him immortal so they could be together forever. She stabbed him in the heart with her dagger but all magic comes with a price and it placed upon her beloved a terrible Dark Curse, turning him into the first Dark One. Since then Blue has been determined to rid the world of the Dark One’s Curse, something that reminds her of the love she lost.
"He was a lot of things to me" "The only conclusion was love"long long long ago Blue fell in love with a mortal man but as all mortal men are wont to do: he would someday die. Unable to live without him, Blue enchanted a dagger that would turn him immortal so they could be together forever. She stabbed him in the heart with her dagger but all magic comes with a price and it placed upon her beloved a terrible Dark Curse, turning him into the first Dark One. Since then Blue has been determined to rid the world of the Dark One’s Curse, something that reminds her of the love she lost.
wow I like that idea 😀
What I meant by Emma saving Regina is she somehow through her magic or otherwise provides the means by which Regina’s heart can be made whole shades of the Dark Crystal here (remembering the curse on her heart that Rumple saddled her with, she may have cast it but by hook or by crook he was getting to Bae and was not going to let her sensibilities stand in the way) and with Regina reformed and her magic turned towards the good the two of them would then be powerful enough together to restore the happy endings. If you think about it the reason everyone has been denied a happy ending is because Regina has been denied hers. Either through her own shortcomings or by Rumple’s manipulations. Snow says good always wins, I beg to differ good people like Rumple and Regina are lost to Darkness then good has lost, for good to truly win it has to win back what it has lost. Because by falling into the Darkness Regina has been furnished with a powerful weapon, her dark heart. That heart allows her when she is in full on EQ mode to threaten our heroes with their own dark hearts. It’s a situation analogous to Luke Skywalker in ESB and ROTJ when Vader tells Luke that the only way to destroy him is by giving into his hatred and striking him down. The Emperor makes a similar appeal when he says all Luke has to do is give into his anger and strike him down. Well, we saw what happened when Snow gave into her anger and hatred she paid the price with a blackened heart of her own. I think its clear that the family won’t kill Regina or let her commit suicide. Shades of LOTR here but she has some part to play for good or ill before all this is through.
Keep in mind that Rumple’s intention seemed to be that Regina would cast the curse and that the vengeful citizens of Storybrooke in a moment of righteous anger would string her up from her tree. Now that didn’t happen, and when Rumple found out about what happened to Belle he summoned the Wraith and that didn’t work. Later on when the threat of Cora coming to town arises and Regina expressed hope that Emma and Snow can get through, Rumple puts the kibosh on that by convincing her to go along with the barrier spell, as he says “glad you’ve come to your senses.” Then after Cora’s death he advises Emma and David to kill Regina to save MM. Now to me its clear that Rumple knows that he’s been feeding Regina a load of bull about her only having anger and being beyond love and hope. Now Rumple either knows Regina to be more than what he has helped to make her (which I think he fears) or he sees her as just another bit of collateral damage in his quest to get the curse cast and find Bae. I personally am in favor of the former.
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
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