Cora is played by the exceptionally talented actress Barbara Hershey
When people think of Cora Mills what do you think comes to there mind of course most would say a villain but to me she is a hero. Let me take just a few moments of your time to explain.
Cora Mills .... Lets begin
Cora was the daughter of a drunk miller and had to work in a bar where she met Prince Jonathan or so he said he was a prince.
https://youtu.be/A7RABtsK71k
https://youtu.be/xTKdpyE1jZE
This relationship led to a pregnancy . A desperate Cora by luck meets Prince Leopold. About to be king and anxious to start a family this seemed like a good situation for Cora. She will get to live a new life and her child will be brought up in a life that Cora could only dream of. Johnathan heard of Cora now engaged to Leopold and tries to blackmail her into giving him riches. He doesn't even care about the child Cora is carrying just money. This whole conversation is heard by Eva who's is none other than... Snow Whites mother. Jealous at the fact she isn't marrying the king and that the king is more interested in Cora she decides to tell Leopold that Cora is pregnant. The king outraged banishes Cora and marries Eva instead. Cora then has no choice but to give up her baby who we later learn is Zelena .
A few years later Cora delivers flour to the castle and is tripped by Eva ( of course) wanting to prove she is more than a Millers Daughter says to the court that she can spin straw into gold. She gets lessons on how to spin straw into gold from Rumplestiltskin .
https://youtu.be/Z8ElBObZbNc
Cora loved Rumple but after a talk with King Xavier who informs her that love is weakness( Cora's Catchphrase) and decides to end her relationship with Rumple and marry Prince Henry.( There has been an interesting theory for years that Rumple is Regina's real father since Cora had originally promised Rumple her first born child but had him change the contract to promise him there first born child. ) Cora married Henry and she gave birth to Regina for one day she will be queen.
Cora never wanted Regina to grow up the way she did even without her heart Cora loved Regina deeply she just showed it in all the wrong ways. When Regina was a child Regina was injured by magic . Only blood magic could save her but since Cora was the reason behind Regina's pain ( Regina was lonely and wanted Cora to spend time with her ) Cora than desperate to save her only child enlists the help of the daughter she gave away Zelena.
https://youtu.be/IyVgDOIZr-o
What I liked about this scene was when Zelenas father said your mother isn't here to protect you anymore when poof there is your real mother. Also the fact it shows what I said earlier how much Cora loved Regina even without her heart. Cora impressed by Zelenas magic she can also see how well Regina and Zelena are getting along but in that moment realizes something Zelena could jeopardized Regina's status and ruin Cora's reputation ( Zelena being a child born out of wedlock) led to this scene
https://youtu.be/wbya4bGLORI
This was an amazing scene. Not because Regina and Zelena were separated that was heart breaking. Its the fact that Barbara's acting is so good I forgot that Cora didn't have her heart.
Another way Cora was trying to protect her daughter was Daniel. See Regina was in love with the family stable boy Daniel but Cora not wanting Regina to follow in her footsteps and and repeat her mistakes wanted Regina to instead marry King Leopold the man Cora wanted to marry years before ( That part creeped me out a bit) Snow White then told Cora about Daniel and Regina's relationship. Cora then proceeds to Kill Daniel ... not her finest moment . Regina than banished Cora to Wonderland which actually worked out to Cora's Benefit and we find out she is none other than the Queen Of Hearts .
'
In Wonderland the men don't play a huge role the women outrank the men. We never got to see how Cora became the Queen Of Hearts or how she ruled as a Queen. Like did her people love and respect her? was she a beloved queen in Wonderland. We got a little bit of a look at her time as queen in the OUAT Wonderland Spinoff . Cora Meets Anastasia the Red Queen and kind of takes her under her wing. Anastasia had a very similar background as Cora did and she tried to show her there was a better life out there for her that she was more than just a commoner. She didn't want to see the same thing that happened to her happen to Anastasia so she convinces her to Abandon Will and become queen. Not only that but Cora also became her teacher and taught Anastasia magic which led to this epic scene.
https://youtu.be/GF5PduqexVA
This is one of my favorite scenes I've watched on TV cause once again shows how talented Barbara is but its what she says here " You don't need anyone's approval whoever it was that made you feel this way that you were flawed or unworthy You need to take that pain the fear that they were right and use it as the root of your power let it drive the magic PROVE THEM ALL WRONG!!! This scene really was personal to me and meant so much . I felt as though Cora /Barbara was speaking right to me . I have always felt like I was flawed and unworthy compared to other people. I never forgot this scene it means a lot to me . To me it says don't be afraid to be yourself let it be the power behind what you do and prove them wrong . It inspires me everyday and I have Cora to thank for that.
Cora still visited her daughter Regina while in Wonderland . Like the time Cora wanted Regina to have a child. She was supposed to Help Regina find Robin Hood but thought the Sheriff of Nottingham was a better match. This caused Regina to brew up a potion that would make her infertile so Cora wouldn't have a claim to the thrown . I believe Cora truly wanted Regina happy and as Cora said to Regina she was ruining her own happiness. This actually was key in the Once story cause had Regina had not become infertile she would have never adopted Henry.
Cora also visited Regina on her birthday and quite impressively was able to get Snow Whites heart in an hour something that Regina had yet to do. Regina later banished her back to Wonderland but Cora was not alone she took Regina's dad Henry with her .
Years later When Hook visited Wonderland with the intention to kill Cora ( He couldn't because after all she's the Queen Of Hearts Do you really think she keeps her heart where everybody else does?) started an unlikely alliance. After finding out Regina was behind Hook trying to Kill her Cora wants to rip Regina's heart out again not her finest moment., but after hearing Regina's heartfelt speech about how much she means to Regina and how she became the person she is without her she changes her mind. Cora than freezes part of the fairytale land so that when Regina's curse hits they will be frozen.
After the curse Cora and Hook are on a race to Storybrooke against Emma and Snow. When they finally face each other Cora tries unsuccessfully to rip out Emma's heart. In that moment Cora learns that love isn't weakness its Strength. Although they didn't make it to Storybrooke through the portal they made it on Hook's ship the Joly Roger. Cora wants to find her daughter . Regina having nobody turns to her mother when nobody else would give her a chance in an effort to get her son Henry back. Although Cora also wanted her family back she also wanted something greater to become the Dark One. Once the Dark One dies its power goes to someone else and Cora wanted that so they could have everything they always wanted.
One episode in particular we see that Cora in the past actually did get revenge. In the episode 2x15 The Queen Is Dead we find out Cora killed Eva. I didn't feel sorry for Eva after what she put Cora and her family through. Eva is the reason Cora had to give up Zelena, Why she couldn't marry Leopold, why Cora was so obsessed with power and status. leading to Zelena becoming the Wicked Witch Of The West
https://youtu.be/nDtKZ0JU3t4
This episode also led to Coras Demise. While Cora was disguised as The Blue Fairy she told a young Snow about a candle that could save a life but take another in return if you light it and say the sacrifices name three times. Snow used this to kill Cora by doing just that and dripping the candle on Coras heart. I was Heartbroken by this and it fueled my hatred for Snow White because little miss high and mighty couldn't get her hands dirty. She manipulated Regina into killing her own mother. All Regina wanted was her mother to love her and Snow Knew that . She informed her what life could be like with heart inside her or let become the Dark One implying that the Charmings will see Regina as enemy if she lets that happen led to this scene.
https://youtu.be/X3lpuGkO_EY
Cora revealed that Rumple was the only man she ever truly loved. While I believe Cora truly loved Rumple I don't think Cora needed a man to accomplish what she needed to do to get her best chance at changing her life.
This scene was so heartbreaking because for a Brief moment we got to see Cora with her heart back and what could have been. Regina tragically loses her mom and we lose our beloved character Cora.
:(
Cora returns in season 5 in the 100th episode in Underworld. Cora and Regina are reunited and happy to see each other.
https://youtu.be/o3TItxxbak4
What we don't know is that Cora is being blackmailed by Hades to get Regina to leave Storybrooke jeopardizing there new relationship. Hades than goes back on his word and as punishment for Cora failing to get Regina to leave Underbrooke he changes her into the Millers Daughter that she was years ago. This was hard to watch because you can see the Heartbreak in her eyes. Cora fought for years to be rid of her past and be something more than a Millers Daughter.
https://youtu.be/vZPwpc1LO3E
Cora is rescued by her old friend Hook. She than helps Regina in trying to help Zelena be free from Hades. Zelena is in love with him and doesn't see how evil he really is. Cora than meets Zelena and she informs Zelena that she deeply regrets giving her up years ago. Zelena is trying to fill the void in her heart that Cora left explaining why she's with Hades and tries to convince Zelena to leave Hades. Zelena thinks Cora wasn't sincere when she figures out Regina is there and they almost fight until Cora Breaks it up . Cora than restores there memories and Zelena and Regina remember meeting each other years ago.
https://youtu.be/7gqGAjqrNqQ
I love how Cora smiles proudly at Regina and says how proud she is of the person she's become and how strong she and that she got that strength from the people that she loves. Then when She speaks to Zelena and says how again she regretted giving her up. All her girls ever wanted was for there mother to be proud of them and to be worthy of her love.
The hardest scene for me ever to watch was when Cora said goodbye to Regina and Zelena.
https://youtu.be/qbGklpp6TwE
This says it all what a powerful and beautiful scene brilliant work by Lana, Bex and especially Barbara . This episode showcases her talent and shows what a classy treasure Barbara is. Cora wanted to be strong for her girls and didn't want them to see her cry as she left them. Reuniting her daughter redeemed Cora and was able to move on to a better place. ( though I think a better place would be in Storybrooke)
You never stop being connected to characters even when they leave. They are always there with you. If we can take anything from Cora and what I learned is that nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes its never to late to change. If you want to change yourself never lose sight of who you are because for the people that thought you were weak and unworthy you will prove them all wrong and that is true strength.
To many Cora may seem like a villain but to me Cora is so misunderstood. Cora has changed me for the better and I am forever grateful to her and her portrayer Barbara for what they have done for me . To me both Barbara and Cora are my Hero.
