@Mike wrote:
Let’s not forget, Regina did go 28 long years without using magic, and during that time she still was manipulative and mean, and to some, truly evil. For her to put down the magic and try to become a better person will take more than just not using magic. She needs a complete personality make-over. How does one atone for the murder of their own father (Henry Sr.), lover – Sheriff Graham, and possible countless others?
Yes, Mike, I’m not really sure how I feel about redeeming Regina. On one hand, I think it’s great that they’re giving the villains layers, but first I don’t really know if she’ll ever redeem herself just because she admits that she wants it now, and also because in a way I think it’s too early for her to be on the path of redemption.
I mean sure they have to show the seeds of it happening if it does actually happen, but Regina being Regina, I don’t think she can stand other people being happy for that long and not being in total control. Even if she does her best and tries to remember what Henry would want her to do and that she doesn’t want to become her mom, I think her temper is just so dark that she won’t be able to return to her old ways.
I know there’s the spoiler of her meeting with Archie later on this season, and maybe she’ll actually be able to learn to control her temper, but personally I think she’ll be too tempted to want Henry to herself again that she won’t be able to stand to share him with the Charmings especially if she sees that he’s happy with them. I mean this is a woman that sacrificed her own father for her own happiness, so I still don’t think that just because she wants to change now for Henry’s benefit will mean that she actually will be able to no matter how much she might love him.
Finally, while I won’t be surprised to see Regina try to sacrifice herself for Henry’s sake if Cora uses him as a pawn, which she most likely will, I would bet good money that before the end of this season, she’ll do something really bad again against the Charmings. Maybe they won’t know about it until next season, but I just don’t think she’ll ever fully accept Henry’s family even if that’s the only way she can keep Henry in her life.