The show doesn’t really spend time on emotional moments and with 11 episodes per arc, they’re less likely to, preferring action, big bads and “look who we’re introducing now” rather than emotional reactions with characters we love.
Shiny Toy Syndrome strikes again!
n regards to Regina’s redemption, I think the question is What is redemption? Is it being loved by everyone with your past seemingly forgotten and never brought up again? Or is it striving to be a better person and doing the right thing even though it is hard and difficult and people may never forgive you for your past misdeeds? I think it is the latter. When Regina is looking for a quick fix so she gets her happy ending, she’s not redeemed herself. She’s not atoned for her past mistakes, she’s not even acknowledged that her actions were bad.
It’s absolutely the latter of those two. Yes. And frankly, I find it really unrealistic for everyone to forgive any of our villains, not just Regina. No matter what, these peoples lives were upset and overturned by villains.
If Rumple is trying to justify his actions in the Neal grave speech, then that suggests that he knows his actions were wrong. After all, you don’t try and justify your actions if you did something good and right.
Yes Rumple knows what he did is wrong. But like Regina, he doesn’t regret those actions. He’s just covering his butt now: I did wrong, but I had to do it…so…y’know..it’s cool.