ONCE UPON A TIME: The 5 Saddest Moments

Once Upon A Time is a show strongly known for touching the hearts of so many who watch it. Whether it be the inspirational messages or the ability to truly position its characters in ways which leave us to deeply connect with them, this adventurous drama has always managed to find our soft spot and put it to the test. There is no shame in this at all, as it brings out our humanity. I myself am not afraid to admit that I've been spellbound by this series and left to experience emotions I haven't in most days of my life. Not many other shows I watch have been successful in doing that. From death and torture to happiness and nostalgia, I've seen it all on Once Upon A Time and have found myself crying on the odd occasion. So I decided in the final month of this brilliant show, I would share the five moments throughout the seven seasons that brought my sadness out into the open. Do feel free to share your opinions and the scenes that had you upset in the comments section?

Let's begin:

5. Regina Releases Daniel. 
Season 2, Episode 5 (The Doctor)

Regina Mills (Lana Parrilla) is undeniably one of the most natural and well-developed characters in this show. As time went on, she'd be built on a strong foundation and was quick to gain the love and respect of fans all around the world. There were quite a few moments in the first season which saw Regina in her rawest form, which included the roots that led her to becoming who she did. We took her unfortunate upbringing into account. How she was hindered by her predominant mother Cora (Barbara Hershey) and left to watch her first love Daniel (Sean Bean) have his heart crushed in front of her. The birth of the Evil Queen was understandable based on the tough history and the attachment to the character became all the more meaningful. My complete devotion to Regina however, would come a little later onward. In the fifth episode of season two, Dr. Whale (David Anders) would attempt to bring Daniel back from the dead. The result however wasn't to the liking of Regina, who would be told to love again and forced to let go her first love for the second time. This was the moment when I really began to understand her pain, and it taught me how much Daniel's death had impacted the entire story going forward. Just seeing Regina cry the way she did made the scene hard to watch. It was almost like I became her.

4. Robin Hood's Demise. 
Season 5, Episode 21 (Last Rites)

Although Robin Hood (Sean Maguire) was never a character to earn my full respect, his death did manage to leave an unpleasant-looking scar behind. His demise was one that would not just have him killed by Hades (Greg Germann), but completely wiped from existence. No better place or worse place. Not even a soul for the underworld. The moment was quick to sting the hearts of countless 'Outlaw Queen' shippers, and nothing to undo it was salt being rubbed into the wound. As for myself it wasn't so much losing the ship that left me upset, but instead another avenue for Regina's ultimate happiness. My favourite character just couldn't catch a break. Her chances for a happy ending were continuing to get squashed for a greater unknown. Given how much she went through, such things like this had me crying out for the torture to stop. That she had suffered enough already. While Regina went on to prove how strong and resilient she became, any pain from then onward was much more difficult to tolerate. Everything within the scene came out lugubriously but the slow motion, smooth score and close-ups of the aching faces of the were-to-be couple was nothing short of aesthetic. When you are a Regina fan like me, this memorable moment at times can be a challenge to watch.

3. The Snow Queen's Sacrifice.

Season 4, Episode 11 (Heroes and Villains)

A lot of 'oncers' might not have found this moment to be as moving due to their lack of connection with the character. But I found myself to have easily broken through the tough exterior of the Snow Queen (Elizabeth Mitchell). Ingrid's backstory would have to be one of the more piteous the show had delivered. The cold, natural distance between herself and her sisters based on having magic. The fact that she struggled to prevent her powers speaking louder. How she would accidentally kill one sister and get repudiated and imprisoned by the other, two of the only people she ever truly loved. For so long, she understandably bottled up her emotions and went to extremes to chase for what she long had lost. In her final scene after reading Gerda's (Pascale Hutton) remorseful letter, she is quick to destroy herself to undo her spell of 'shattered sight'. When one would think her happiness was taken away, she would go on to remind Emma (Jennifer Morrison) and her nieces that the love from her sisters was all she ever wanted and saw joining them in the afterlife as a happy ending of its own. I personally saw the need to heavily sympathise with her, especially after everything she went through from the moment she was branded as a monster.

2. Prince Henry Moves On.

Season 5, Episode 12 (Souls of the Departed)

The 100^th episode of Once Upon A Time was one I surprisingly didn’t expect to get much out of, especially considering what was heard about it before it aired. But it was home to one of the show’s most underrated and emotionally powerful scenes. Not only did it retouch on the relationship between Regina and Prince Henry (Tony Perez), it reminded me of how good and darn lovable her father really was. Even with the limited time on screen, Prince Henry was just a character that could never be hated. One just immediately knows that when it comes to all of the punishment he suffered along the way, he didn’t deserve any of it. He was pure care and innocence and everything he did loosened me up. But the heartstrings were quick to be tugged the hardest when Prince Henry’s work was done. The beaming light of a better place accompanied by the incredible tranquil sounds of birds and nature. Next thing you hear is Prince Henry’s voice. ‘It’s so... it’s beautiful. It’s where I belong’. Just reading that line gets to me. The music was soothing and the visual effects were sublime. And the fact that Regina’s dad got to finally meet the grandson (Jared S. Gilmore) named after him before moving on. I will forever remember this as one of the only scenes to truly have me shedding a tear. I think this moment hit me harder than it did with Regina. It was both sadness and joy worth embracing.

1. Belle's Death.

Season 7, Episode 4 (Beauty)

You may see the final season as weak and bereft of that attractive energy you fell in love with, but prepare your tissues. There should be no opprobrium for the beautiful and painstaking Up-inspired montage followed by the king of all things harrowing on Once Upon A Time. Robert Carlyle and Emilie de Ravin would completely sink into the role of their respective characters Rumplestiltskin and Belle, to help deliver arguably one of the most soul-stirring performances seen on modern television. An incredibly huge scene packed with the warm atmosphere, gentle music and even the visual nostalgia. A scene that shared both joy and sorrow. It was extremely tough to persevere, as I was reminded of the journey I followed with 'Rumbelle'. It took me back to the many years of this series I watched before. It left me believing that no one can deny of the incredible impact this moment had. Not even the biggest anti-Rumbelle fan can refuse the extraordinary amount of feelings this scene can awaken. While it's hard for me to physically shed tears, internally I was bawling my eyes out. At least we can all be grateful that the sweet and positive Belle lived the happy life she always wanted with Rumple and that the love between the two would never die.



Honourable Mention:
Rumple Reunites With Belle.
Season 7, Episode 22 (Leaving Storybrooke)

Another magnificent scene between these two lovebirds, but it unfortunately couldn't make the top five. The main reason why was because it wasn't entirely a sad moment. Most would sit here and think it's more of a beautiful one. However there can lie a tinge of sadness and I certainly picked up on it. To accompany the tender orchestral music and bright, spiritual atmosphere was a heart-aching realisation. The warm-fuzzy feeling had shared a room with a cold, numbing sensation. It was the fact that Rumple and Belle were distant from everything else and supposedly unable (or never seen) to witness the happiness and brilliance delivered by Rumple's most trusted pupil in Regina. Although they did live a long pleasant life and found their way back to each other to be together for eternity, I can't help but feel that separation from most other things they cared about. The fact that Baelfire (Michael Raymond-James) wasn't present. Not that chipped teacup of sentimental value sneaked in. Sure it might not have made much sense, but this particular scene was primarily aimed to evoke a strong sense of warmth and beauty. Nevertheless it was a fantastic send-off. One that brought a tear to my eyes.

Travis "TJ" James