Regina Mills’ tragic backstory in Once Upon a Time is rooted in the loss of her true love, Daniel, whose death at the hands of her manipulative mother, Cora, sets her on a path of vengeance and darkness. But what if Daniel had died in an accident instead, with no direct involvement from Cora, despite her opposition to their relationship? Would Regina have followed the same path, or would her life have taken a different turn?
Daniel’s murder was a traumatic turning point for Regina. It was not just his death that devastated her but the betrayal by her mother, who acted in direct opposition to Regina’s wishes. This act of control and manipulation robbed Regina of her agency and fueled her anger, leading her to embrace darkness as a means of reclaiming power.
If Daniel’s death had been an accident, the circumstances surrounding Regina’s grief would have been vastly different. Without Cora’s interference, Regina would not have had a specific person to blame. Instead of focusing her anger outward, she may have internalized her grief, leading to a different emotional trajectory.
Even if Cora were not directly responsible for Daniel’s death, her opposition to the relationship would not have disappeared. In this alternate scenario, Cora might have used Daniel’s accidental death as an opportunity to manipulate Regina into following the path she had always envisioned for her daughter—marrying royalty and rising to power. Without a clear villain to blame, Regina might have been more susceptible to her mother’s influence.
Without the betrayal by Cora, Regina’s relationship with her mother might have been less antagonistic, though not necessarily healthy. Cora’s controlling nature would likely have persisted, and Regina might have complied out of a lack of direction following Daniel’s death. This compliance could have delayed her rebellion but might not have prevented it entirely.
Regina’s interactions with Snow White would also have been different. In the original timeline, Regina’s hatred for Snow stemmed from the belief that Snow’s naivety led to Daniel’s death. Without this betrayal, Regina might not have harbored the same resentment, potentially altering their dynamic and the course of their shared story.
The key question is whether Regina’s descent into darkness could have been avoided altogether. While Daniel’s death, even in an accident, would have been devastating, it’s possible that without the added layers of betrayal and manipulation, Regina might have had a chance to heal and find a new path. However, her environment—including Cora’s influence and Rumplestiltskin’s schemes—would still have posed significant challenges.
If Daniel had died in an accident, Regina’s journey would have been markedly different. The absence of Cora’s direct involvement might have lessened Regina’s anger and allowed for a slower, more introspective grieving process. However, the weight of her loss, combined with Cora’s ongoing control and the pressures of her environment, could still have led her toward darkness. Ultimately, Regina’s path would have depended on her choices and the support systems available to her in the wake of tragedy.
