EW 5/12/16: Lana Parrilla On How Regina Will Deal In The Wake Of Robin's Death

What was your reaction to the Robin Hood death?
I was sad because I adore Sean. I really love the storyline between Regina and Robin. However, I understand that this is a story we’re telling. Tragedy takes place in storytelling. We need to look at this as an opportunity to tell more stories, and to push Regina to places that we haven’t seen her before, and take her to places that we haven’t seen before. That’s all part of Regina’s journey is her evolution. This is just another extension of that.

Robin Hood’s death may have been a push in the direction of the Evil Queen, but it would take the death of her son for Regina to fully become the Evil Queen again.

What was your reaction to the Robin Hood death?
I was sad because I adore Sean. I really love the storyline between Regina and Robin. However, I understand that this is a story we’re telling. Tragedy takes place in storytelling. We need to look at this as an opportunity to tell more stories, and to push Regina to places that we haven’t seen her before, and take her to places that we haven’t seen before. That’s all part of Regina’s journey is her evolution. This is just another extension of that.

Glass half full Lana, glass half full!

ABC released some photos from Emma and Regina, who is holding some sort of paper. What’s going on in that scene?
There’s a lot going on in that scene. That’s Neal’s apartment, otherwise known as Robin and Marian/Zelena’s apartment. They go back there because they’re looking for Henry. Whilst there, they find other items that can lead them to Henry. It’s also a nice moment between these two women where Regina takes the opportunity to share some fears and concerns that she’s never been able to voice before. She opens up in a way that we’ve never seen. Emma’s her best friend. It’s a moment between these two women where Regina takes the opportunity to share some deep fears and thoughts. We’ve never really seen her have this confessional, I guess you would call it. It’s quite moving, it’s quite honest and vulnerable. She’s holding a piece of paper. I don’t want to tell you what that is, but you’ll see what that is. It’s the catalyst that opens the door for Regina to share all these feelings with Emma.

Regina and Emma are best friends….well, how far we’ve come.

So she doesn’t blame Emma then for Robin’s death given they made enemies of Hades by going to the Underworld to save Hook?
No. That’s not at all what’s happening.

Despite my inside Evil Regal’s urge to scream for the Evil Queen’s return, this truly is character development at it’s best because Season 1 Regina would have…wooo…yeah, that’s character development!

How do you think Regina’s relationship has now changed with Zelena?
Ultimately, Regina has been waiting for Zelena to come around and soften a bit. All along, Regina is not really threatened by Zelena. She never has been. Zelena has been more of a pain in her butt, just making things more complicated than they need to be. In Regina’s eyes, Zelena has been a broken record over the years. It’s like, “Stop blaming me for our mother’s decisions. This has nothing to do with me. Stop punishing me for it, too.” Regina is actually excited to have this new relationship with Zelena. She feels a bit relieved. They now have something different to talk about. Knowing that they both loved each other at one point really strengthens the bond between them. For Regina, we talk about this happy ending. She’s made amends and she’s reconciled with her parents and her sister. I think she’s really grateful to have a blood relative in her life.

#WICKEDSISTERS!!!!!!!!!

So does Regina have hope of getting a happy ending? You seem to be insinuating she has that right now.
I guess everyone can define what a happy ending is differently. Regina said it once before, “My happy ending is finally feeling at peace in the world.” Really, it’s feeling at peace with herself. Is she there yet? No, because she has this internal conflict where she’s constantly being teased and toyed with this darkness inside of her and doesn’t know what to do with it. As far as having a family, that all contributes to this happy ending. Having loved ones and being loved is a part of Regina’s happiness. It’s also what sustains her and encourages her to keep making the right decisions. I just want to be careful that a happy ending isn’t defined by a partner, and being with a partner. It’s much more complicated than that. It really starts with self. That’s what Regina’s really trying to achieve, is finding that love within herself and that peace within herself where she can forgive herself for the things that she’s done in her life. I think that ultimately will be her happy ending.

LANA BETTER PREACH!!!