Once Upon a Time was a show that highlighted the importance of happy endings. In later seasons, the characters rename happy endings to be called a “Happy Beginning” and “Second Chance.” The entire premise of the series revolved around the concept that the Evil Queen got her happy ending by taking away Snow White and Prince Charming’s.
Every motivation behind the characters’ actions were about the happy ending they wanted for themselves or someone close to them. Unfortunately, not everyone got a happy ending. While some characters got the lives they always wanted, others fell behind or deserved more than what they were given by the time the show ended.
Fitting: Snow White And Prince Charming
From the moment they knew they were expecting their first child, Snow and Charming were protective of their baby and excited to be parents. Even with Regina’s threat hanging over them, they never lost hope that they would reunite to be a family. Through good times and bad, Snow and Charming stuck together and believed that things would get better. After the birth of their second child, Neal, the parents were determined to be there for Neal the way they could not for Emma. At the end of season six, their happy ending shows them with their son and dog in a new house.
Deserved More: Robin Hood
Robin Hood joined the group when they returned to what remained of the Enchanted Forest during the third season. He acted as Regina’s love interest while also holding the role of a father to his son, Roland. After being tricked by Zelena, Robin discovers that the Wicked Witch is carrying his second child.
Robin’s journey comes to an end when he dies by Hades’ Olympian crystal. With two young children left in Storybrooke, Robin deserved the opportunity to be a father to them. While a Wish Realm version of Robin Hood is brought back later, it is not the same man.
Fitting: Emma Swan And Captain Hook
Both Emma and Hook had grown up with less than ideal lifestyles. When they met, Emma was a hero, and Hook was a villain. Through time, they grew as people who allowed their relationship to develop. A trip through time lets them bond at the point in history when Snow and Charming were meant to meet and get together.
As they grew closer, Emma and Hook’s dynamic got stronger. Emma was unwilling to let Hook stay dead any of the times he died, and her efforts worked in her favor. Their story follows them to their wedding and later to the reveal that they would be having a baby. At some point in time later, Emma and Hook show up to Regina’s coronation with their baby daughter, Hope.
Deserved More: Red Riding Hood
Red is included in the multiple supporting characters from the first season whose roles dwindled as time went on. Characters that built up Snow and Charming’s war room disappeared over time or appeared in fewer episodes. Known as Ruby during the first curse, she went from being a central character after the curse was broken.
Ruby appears later in the series, revealing that she believes her true love to be Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. She then confirms the belief with True Love’s Kiss. Although a sweet ending, the two women deserved more time devoted to growing their relationship and a more solid conclusion.
Fitting: Henry Mills
For a character that devoted much of his time to finding happy endings for his family and friends, it fit that Henry’s conclusion saw him find a happy ending for himself. After watching what true love looks like on the most influential adults in his life, Henry goes out into the world to see what is out there.
After traveling for some time, Henry meets Cinderella and goes off on a journey to find her. Although successful, years later, the new dark curse separates Henry from his wife and daughter, Lucy. However, the series would not end on such a note, and Henry reunites with his family, memories restored, and they all return to the newly created Storybrooke.
Deserved More: Belle French
Rumple and Belle’s romance had always been a controversial relationship amongst fans. Their meeting involved Belle acting as a hostage in Rumple’s castle. Although she finds herself falling for Rumple, their relationship hits many bumps along the way, asking the question if they should be in a relationship at all.
Belle’s happy ending is represented by Rumple and Belle taking up the roles of Carl and Ellie Fredericksen from Pixar’s Up. Given the number of problems that stemmed from Rumple and Belle’s relationship, it was questionable if a long life with Rumple counted as a happy ending for Belle.
Fitting: Rumple
As someone who had lived for centuries, it made sense that Rumple’s conclusion would involve death. The entire last season, Rumple’s storyline was devoted to finding his way back to Belle, who had already passed away after living a full life with Rumple. For a character that had so much history, his last actions were all about saving those he loved, and understanding that it may mean he would never find his true love again. Yet, it is that sacrifice that solidifies him reuniting with Belle. With the Dark One’s powers seemingly dying with him, Rumple moved on without passing the darkness on to anyone else.
Deserved More: Neal Cassidy
When Once Upon a Time decided to expand the world, they introduced the Underworld, connecting Storybrooke to the story of Hercules. For the most part, the series used the opportunity to bring back dead characters to the limbo between life and whatever comes next.
In a brief cameo, Neal appears to Emma, letting her know that he had moved on. However, while Neal may have forgiven Rumple for their past and told Emma to find happiness without him, there was one more person that Neal should have had unfinished business with. Neal died before Henry remembered him and never got enough time to be a father to his son. Henry had even gone looking for Neal, hoping to see him.
Fitting: Regina Mills
Regina’s ending proved how much a person could grow and change from the worst version of themselves. Regina had been public enemy number one while in the Enchanted Forest and after everyone regained their memories. Slowly, Regina worked through her problems and strived to become better. The finale proves Regina succeeded, possibly beyond what she ever imagined. Not only had Henry and her family embraced and accepted Regina, but so had everyone else. Regina earned the trust and respect of the people and was bestowed with the title of “The Good Queen.”
Deserved More: Zelena Mills
Zelena’s cursed persona Kelly West had gotten engaged after leaving Hyperion Heights. However, after regaining her memories, she follows Regina back to Hyperion Heights to help her with the problems that are happening. After reuniting with her fiancé, Chad, Zelena admits that she wants to marry him.
Although Zelena leaves, Rebecca Mader returns in the series finale as Zelena Mills in the time period they are stuck in, taking place after Henry’s high school graduation. After Regina unites all the realms, Zelena is there with her. Yet, it is unclear if there are two Zelenas, as Chad is not seen in the room with her. Unfortunately, Zelena’s happy ending leads to more confusing paradox questions than the feeling that Zelena had a fitting, happy ending.
