juicecupswanqueen:
stenchofpeasants:
I have been watching Once Upon a Time for around a year and a half. Since starting it, I’ve rewatched it countless times and for one reason only, Swan Queen. To me, and many others, Emma and Regina’s development is the main core of the show. After the best hiatus swen have ever had, I thought it was fitting to create a masterpost and tell/show everyone why The Evil Queen and The Savior are endgame. Brave yourselves, it’s going to be a long one.
I knew we were witnessing something special between these two characters right from their first meeting in the pilot episode. For starters, every gay/bisexual woman knows that theres nothing better than shipping a blonde and brunette, so there’s that. But, all jokes aside, one thing that these women do constantly is talk with their eyes. As an actor myself, one of the first things you learn in training is how important eye communication is. Eyes are the window into a characters soul, eye contact with another character can determine the relationship between them. Half of the time, acting is all about the eyes. So to start off this post, heres our two favourite ladies speaking volumes with the way they look at each other in Season 1.
Ah the first time they meet. They haven’t even spoken two words to each other yet, but notice Emma licking her lips and Regina looking her up and down. The chemistry is undeniable. And so it starts.
Look how Regina never breaks eye contact with Emma. Acting 101 with Lana Parrilla.
Another moment from the pilot. Now I know we would all look like this if we saw Regina Mills approaching us, but Emma doesn’t do the best job of hiding her attrction. I mean just look at her face, it screams ‘holy shit she’s hot af’
Do you remember the whole ‘if you fancied someone in school, you’d push them over in the playground because you don’t know how to deal with your feelings’ analogy? Emma and Regina don’t know how to be nice to each other just yet (YET being the operative word), so cue the sexual tension, longing looks and angst.
One of my favourite early SQ moments just because of Emma’s eyebrow raise. ‘That’s all I’m getting? Oh really well time will tell my friend’. I LOVE SUBTEXT.
It’s all in the eyes, guys, seriously. Why else would Emma get so flustered and pour hot chocolate over herself? It’s cause of Regina Mills, thats why.
This moment is iconic. ICONIC. IT’S ALL IN THE EYES. Even now, when speaking with my fellow swen, this moment is something we all look forward to when we’re re-watching the show. To those who don’t even watch the show and look at this moment without context, it honestly looks like Regina is leaning in for a kiss. It’s even mentioned quite regularly in a lot of sq fanfics. The almost-mine-kiss is nothing short of super gay. And we also see the first time Regina ask for help and turn to someone else when she doesn’t know what to do. And of course, that would be Emma.
Regina is dreaming in this scene, but what does she dream about? Emma coming for her. Coincidence? I think not.
Ok so before I get to the most important exchanging of looks between these two, can I just point out that they really aren’t subtle, at all. Over the seasons, the looks between them escalate from angst and lust to the looks of two women who really do care a lot about each other. But more on that later. For now let’s talk about this.
Sometimes I remember this moment just as I go about my daily life and just think ‘If Emma Swan doesn’t want to bang Regina Mills on her kitchen worktop then I don’t know what the fuck Lana and Jen are playing at’. Seriously, that’s all I have to say about this look.
And that concludes the ‘way too much eye sex and tension in season one’ section of this post. Lets move on to something that is one of the main reasons as to why I think Emma and Regina belong together.
Magic.
Funny you should say that, Daniel, dear. It could be argued against but magic is the main theme of this show. True love creates the purest magic, it can transcend realms, defeat the strongest of evil and save lives. Mix together light and dark magic and what do you get, Emma and Regina performing the strongest magic. SURPRISE SURPRISE.
We first witness the connection between their powers in the season two
premiere. Regina’s struggling to create the portal to the Enchanted
Forest until Emma’s touch finally opens it. Right then, I knew they
would be making magic throughout the rest of the seasons. Was I wrong?
Duh.
Look at her face, man. You can see the realisation on her face, Emma can use magic, I can use magic, we can create magic together. Yes she’s surprised, but how would you react if you just found out the person you’re lusting after has powers just like you, eh?
Oh I’m so proud of how far these two have come. Even Henry notices it, he knows the potential of his two Moms creating magic together. Then Regina’s face. Again, I can’t stress it enough, it’s all in the eyes. Don’t forget that Regina has so much experience and knowledge about magic, she’ll know that true love is the strongest magic of all, she’ll know that her and Emma’s combined magic is special. SHE KNOWS. Which is why she doesn’t even bother protesting against it when Emma offers to help. Emma knows too, why else would she suggest it? Their magic destroys the trigger and saves the town. What else do I need to say?
Oh the Neverland arc was so important for the development of Swan Queen magic. Who is the biggest supporter of Emma’s magic? Who teaches her to embrace her powers and use them for good? Who can relate to her and show her that having magic makes you special and you should use it your advantage? REGINA MILLS.
There she goes again, believing in Emma Swan. Damn, Regina. You really do care for Emma don’t you, you little shit.
And then it becomes second nature to these two to work together and defeat evil. All it takes is a nod from the other to start up ‘operation lets make magic together’. Also notice the colours of their magic, look familiar? Well of course.
IT’S THE SAME COLOUR AS THE TRUE LOVE POTION RUMPLESTILTSKIN PRESEVERED. Coincidence? NOPE.
Swan Mills Family
Now we get on to probably the most important part of this post. Family is a huge theme in this show, HUGE. And what is the biggest connection between Emma and Regina? Henry Mills. Their son. All the way through the show, both Emma and Regina have tried to give Henry his best chance, they love their son more than anything else and thats pretty clear to see. Although, to me, the most important thing to notice is the development between this little trio. First we see Regina and Emma fighting over his affections, screaming at each other that he is ‘MY SON’ etc etc. But eventually we see them work together to do the best for their son. I mean, they share a child. How important is that? The answer is VERY.
Emma and Regina put their differences aside and looked further than petty arguments to notice what they share. They’re both loving and caring mothers to the same boy. Emma backs up Regina in front of Henry, and Regina does the same. Look at how Emma and Regina look at each other whilst in the company of their son. ‘Look at her being a great Mother to our son’ I MEAN COME ON NOW. They’re a family. If that isn’t enough evidence to see Swan Queen as canon, then I don’t know what more you need. But, just keep on reading.
Remember when Adam Horowitz, the creator of this god damn show, tweeted this and then deleted it?
I wonder why he did that, was it to distract us away from the obvious colour choices worn by Emma, Regina and Henry? Well, it didn’t work. Costume is super important when portraying a character so it’s quite fitting that the Swan Mills Family seem to have colour co-ordinated wardrobe, that they share.
Look at the colour parallel(!!!)
I don’t own these gifs so credit to whoever created them, but holy hell doesn’t this speak for itself??? Also, we were treated to season five spoilers recently. One of which was a scene between Regina and Emma. Guess who was wearing a Red blazer – matching the colour of Emma’s infamous red leather jacket? That’s right.
They do enjoy sharing clothes too
Another important factor in all of this is the way Mary Margaret notices. I’m pretty sure she’s certain SOMETHING is happening between her daughter and Regina. Whether it’s scripted or an acting choice by Ginny herself, I don’t know, but it definitely adds fuel to the fire. Take a look for yourselves.
Every look exchanged in these gifs is when Emma is around
Regina, talking about her, or wanting to help her. The last one is by far my
favourite. Subtext orgy I’m telling ya. ‘Well, we didn’t want to come but your
love sick lady wanted to check up on you’. Amazing.
Parallels
Ok this is going to be a big section, because the entire
show is FILLED with paralells left right and centre. Sometimes I lose faith in
the writing of this show, but then parallels suckh me back in and I’m like GOD
DAMN THIS SHOW IS GOOD. Here’s the key moments that are paralleled with Swan
Queen directly. Enjoy.
I suppose having a knack for seeing through people’s barriers is something that runs in the family, am I right?
COLOURS ARE IMPORTANT. Guess what happens a few episodes later?
Can I just…
Anyway, moving on.
Wish for home, wish for family, and that’s what you get.
WOOP there it is
Save the one you love and fight for them. Also, notice the costume choice here as well. Like I said, no coincidence. At all.
I’m sorry to say that this won’t be the only mention of sacrifice between these two, but this is so super important I can’t stress that enough. They don’t want the other to risk their lives for them. They don’t feel worthy. But they do it anyway. I’m sure you know why by now.
Bringing each other back to reality and showing them they’re better than violence. So married.
Probably the most significant and important parallels of the entire show, never mind my otp. I remember watching the episode where we are first introduced to Lily. I was with my best friend, someone who has never seen an episode of Once before. After the episode had finished, I asked her what she thought about it and she said ‘Well it’s pretty obvious Emma is into both brunettes really, is she gay?’ And that was all I needed to hear to be honest. The links between Emma and Lily and Emma and Regina is so so SO obvious. Emma and Lily started off as best friends then turned into enemies, Emma and regina started of as enemies and are surely becoming best friends. But still, the lesbian subtext surrounding these characters is a big as my gay radar.
As well as the obvious growing relationship in the show, the interviews/tweets/conventions that the actors and crew take part in are just as important. No-one knows their character better than the actors, and I think we can all agree that Lana in particular knows her character so well. Jen does too. They speak on behalf of their characters, their show and they really are the best people to ask sometimes. So here’s a list of evidence that supports my argument that Swan Queen is endgame, but also shows the representation Swan Queen finally deserves.
Tweets.
Madame Mayor and Sherriff Swan, The Evil Queen and The Saviour, Emma Swan and Regina Mills. They were always the basis for this show, and they have the strongest development.
Granny is the co-captain of our ship.
Oh Josh.
Never ever forget that this tweet exists.
And now lets move onto interviews from the actors/creators …
I consider these the most important, because Swan Queen.
Now why would you put this voiceover on the scene where Emma is happy to see Regina enter the Diner because she invited her there.
The conventions this year have been an absolute blessing for the Swan Queen fandom but this is by far my favourite moment from them all. Lana herself has said that helping Emma was an ACT OF LOVE I mean do I really need to elaborate on that? I shouldn’t have to.
Sexuality
I’m pretty sure that there will be some negative attention on this post, some of it relating to the fact that ‘EMMA AND REGINA ARE STRAIGHT THO!!11!!1!1’ Let me stop you right there.
It’s been confirmed at Dragon Con a few days ago that Regina is indeed bisexual, here’s the link to the interview where Kristin says so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCUxetAWP9g
Heres some more evidence of Regina being hella bisexual, as if you even need it.
http://anothershadeofgreen.tumblr.com/post/119075100748/hi-there-i-really-liked-reading-what-you-wrote
However explaining Emma’s bisexuality needs more detail but this post explains it perfectly.
http://sarahpaulsonsfuckinglisp.tumblr.com/post/126444747541/anothershadeofgreen-rafstein
Also, whilst we’re at it, read this theory on the Dreamcatchers. Just do it. http://sacredbookofswen.tumblr.com/post/78900448868/dreamcatchers-a-theory
Trust
With both of them having such troubled pasts, it’s pretty obvious that trust is important to both of them. That’s why it makes it all the more iconic when they tell each other that they can trust in them to do the right thing.
Low key wanting to bang each other is something that these two are
experts on. The amount of times their words can be mistaken for sex talk
when taken out of context is actually laughable. Heres just a few examples.
I decided to be a bit mean and leave all the important, and most
obvious, Swan Queen moments towards the end of this post. Enjoy it
loves.
Emma is the first thing that comes to Regina’s mind after
she collapses, she’s the one that she wants.
For the first time in her life, someone is there for Regina and protecting her, hence why the surprised look on Regina’s face. Emma is her saviour.
LOOK AT HOW EMMA LOOKS AT REGINA WHEN SHE WALKS IN .. This whole episode is a gift from God. Emma notices Regina, Emma wants her there, Emma notices her leaving. Emma always notices her wife.
Emma is Regina’s biggest cheerleader, no doubt about it
The look that Regina gives Emma is so sincere and genuine, she’s super happy to have Emma back.
Nervous Emma is nervous to hold Reginas hand. She’s hesitating for a reason. She knows that her and Regina make magic together, she knows that. I’m surprised she didn’t rub her palm on her trousers because she doesn’t want her wife to feel about sweaty she makes her.
They care enough about each other, they want the other person to be safe.
Regina giving Emma a happy ending at the end of season 3a is super important. All the way through season one, Regina wanted to run Emma out of town and now she’s wanting to give her everything she’s ever dreamed of. And do you know why, because she fucking loves her. Look at how they’re looking at each other. It’s all in the EYES.
Cue romantic zoom
Regina sticking by her wife, because she knows she’s better than Golds plan to turn her dark. Choosing the saviour over everything else is something she’s good for.
Regina taught Emma magic, she knows she’s special, that she’s worthy. So when Regina finds out that Snow and Charming are allowing her to rid herself of her magic, this reaction speaks volumes. Amazing.
Frozen parallels with Swan Queen was the best thing about 4a. Despite the history between her and Regina, Emma still wants the best for Regina. And also, remember when Regina said ‘the next time a happy ending knocks on my I’ll be ready’. Look who does…
This scene is super important though. Emma is trying so hard for her wife’s affections and looks like a child on Christmas morning when she gets what she wants. No two characters relate to each other as much as Emma and Regina. That’s a fact.
What even is this, seriously. The more romantic zooms between these two, the more longing looks they share, the more I’m convinced they’re married.
Regina protecting Emma. Again.
I’m pretty sure Adam and Eddy wouldn’t have edited this moment like this unless they wanted us all to think that Emma Swan is super jealous of Robin touching her wife.
Helping each other, backing each other up, being each others cheerleaders. These two have to foundation for a great fucking relationship and nothing can tell me otherwise.
(And now they can get super drunk together and have sex)
Yin and Yang. Honestly.
Yes, fate does push us, it pushes to the people we belong to be with. That’s why you adopted the Savior’s son.
Emma needs Regina. Regina needs Emma. After so many times that Regina didn’t want Emma around. This is the biggest development of character and relationship in the entire show.
THIS is the moment what Lana was talking about. Regina brings Emma back from darkness and makes her realise the good inside her. It’s an act of love. Lana has spoken.
The first time Regina meets Emma in an alternate universe, she has no idea who she is. She has no clue and yet she understands her, she boinds with her, she listens to her. ENDGAME
Right. I’m so sorry that I’ve left the best/worst Swan Queen moment until the end of this post. But it is the most important development throughout the entire show. First, lets recap what happened in episode 1.08 where Emma saves Regina from the fire.
Emma: Seriously? You’re complaining about how I saved your life?
Regina: (fire engines approach the scene) The firemen are here. It’s not like we were really in danger. Emma: (starts walking away) Fine. Next time I’ll just… I’ll just… Ah, you know what? (turning to face Regina) Next time, I’ll do the same thing. And the time after that because that is what decent human beings do. That’s what good people do.
Next time, she did do the same thing. She sacrificed her happiness, her life, her light magic, for the sake of Regina. She put herself into danger, she put her life into the hands of others, she risked her mental health, she risked her relationships with other people. She gave her entire soul to the darkness just so Regina didn’t have to go through the horror and torment again. She gave everything. Her family didn’t want to, but she did it anyway. Her beared didn’t want to, she did it anyway. She didn’t have to, she did it. Regina didn’t wat to, but she sacrificed everything for the sake of the woman she evidently loves.
Emma and Regina have come such a long way since the start of the show. Their relationship is one of the most genuine, beautiful and legitimate I’ve ever seen on a TV show. They share a son, they are a family. They save each other, they back each other up, they make magic together, they see the best in each other, they want each other to be happy. They belong together.
This post is why Swan Queen is endgame. We will get there one day, we will get what we deserve, what the show deserves. What Emma and Regina deserve. Hang in there, Swen. It’s happening.
Disclaimer: All gifs and pictures aren’t mine, credit goes to the creators. Thanks to sarahpaulsonsfuckinglisp for finding things I couldn’t. All opinions are my own
I don’t know about you but I bookmarked the FUCK out of this post!
The next time someone asks, “Why do you ship Swan Queen?” or “What do you even SEE in Swan Queen?”, I’m going to be like, “HERE! Read this! It’s all there.
Normally, relationships go like this: hook up (no pun intended), fall in love, get married, have a kid, get divorced.
Swan Queen does it backwards: bitter divorce, shared custody, get married, fall in love, hook up.