The relationships between the characters of Once Upon A Time had a major impact on the plot of the show. For example, the friendship formed between Emma and Regina paved the way for reconciliation between Regina and Snow White, ending a decades-old rivalry responsible for the many bad things that happened in the Enchanted Forest and Storybrooke.
Some friendships started out rocky, growing from a place of mistrust and dislike like David and Hook's. Others started out in a good place, such as Snow White and Ariel's. Regardless, all of them have good lessons about friendship, as well as the love, hope, care, and respect that define it.
Regina & Emma
Regina and Emma started out at odds with each other, mostly because of Henry. Emma felt like Regina was too strict with him while Regina felt her position in Henry's life was threatened by Emma's presence. With time, the two of them started to get along and went from being bitter enemies to respecting each other's parts in Henry's life, and eventually caring for each other, sharing some of the most heartwarming moments on the show.
The two women's love for Henry was the major thing that connected them and helped them put aside their differences. They also fought together against many evils that attacked Storybrooke and grew closer in the process. They even influenced each other with some of their best traits, like how Regina helped Emma be braver and tougher and Emma helped Regina check her worst impulses and make better decisions.
Regina & Snow White
Regina and Snow White were among the best characters on Once Upon A Time and the worst rivals on the show. On several occasions, Regina tried to get rid of Snow White for good but failed until the Dark Curse took away her memories and separated her from David and Emma.
Despite all the hatred and pain between them, Regina and Snow White formed one of the best friendships on the show. The development of this relationship was a result of Snow White's refusal to give up on Regina, no matter how much she pushed her away, and Regina learning to forgive her for everything she cost her.
Emma & Snow White
Before the curse was broken, revealing that Emma and Snow White were mother and daughter, the two of them had one of the purest friendships on the show. They got to know each other while Snow White was still Mary Margaret under Regina's curse and grew closer as Emma supported her when she was accused of murder.
Due to the curse that froze time in Storybrooke, Emma and Snow White were almost the same age when they met which made it easy for them to get along. Their friendship was the foundation that helped them connect even more when their family bond was revealed.
David & Hook
David and Hook's relationship was initially strained because Hook was in love with his daughter and David didn't really approve of him at first. They got a little closer in Neverland after David was poisoned with Dream Shade and Hook helped him find a temporary cure. Their banter during that trip showed their potential to be good friends and the friendship was developed throughout the seasons.
This friendship was tested more than several others, especially with the reveal that Hook was David's father's killer. Despite that, they were united by their love for Emma and got along regardless of the things that happened in the past 一 a true testament to David's willingness to forgive.
Elsa & Emma
Once Upon A Time featured many beloved fairytales, including the modern and popular Frozen. Elsa and Emma had a lot in common, especially their struggle with controlling their powers and connecting with people. These were some of the things that led to their friendship.
Besides this, both women were heroic, loved their families, and were willing to risk their lives to help each other when either one lost control of their powers. Although Elsa didn't stay long on the show, their friendship was a good one during the short time it was shown.
Ariel & Snow White
Ariel first met Snow when she saved her from drowning while she was running away from the Evil Queen's soldiers in the Enchanted Forest. In return, Snow White helped Ariel attend a ball where she hoped to meet Eric and their friendship only grew stronger from then.
The friendship wasn't shown much on the show but the little that was seen testified to how much the two women cared for each other. Ariel never hesitated to help Snow White whenever she needed it, and the same applied to Snow White who attended a ball with her to help her get a happy ending even though she was on the run.
Ruby & Snow White
Ruby (Red) and Snow White first met in the Enchanted Forest when Snow White was hiding from the Queen's soldiers. Ruby took her in and when they discovered she transformed into a wolf, Snow White supported and accepted her and she, in turn, saved her from being killed by her mother.
Once Ruby found out she was a werewolf, she struggled with controlling that side of her, but Snow White didn't push her away or stop caring for her. Their friendship helped Ruby stay true to herself when her mother wanted her to be a killer and her grandmother wanted her to suppress that side of her. Snow White was the only one who accepted every version of her as a true friend would.
Mulan & Merida
Merida's father brought Mulan in to train Merida in the art of war and the two women hit off right away. It's no surprise, considering they have a lot in common, especially their drive to subvert stereotypes and expectations to fight for what they believe in and the people they love.
Their friendship was formed and strengthened by their shared values and the similarities in their characters. Although some fans hoped their friendship would evolve into a romantic relationship, especially after Mulan's heartbreak over Aurora, things never went that far between the two.
Regina & Gold
As two of the most powerful people, Regina and Gold would occasionally clash but they mostly had professional respect for each other. The two of them were some of the best villains on Once Upon A Time and pulled off some of their evil schemes together, including the Dark Curse.
Although Gold often wavered between evil and good, whenever he was fighting for the good side, Regina was often by his side, working together to protect the people they loved. She even confronted Dr. Facilier in "The Girl In The Tower," when he was plotting to kill Gold and called him her oldest friend.
Rogers & Tilly
Rogers and Tilly connected while he was working a case and became friends before they realized they were actually father and daughter. Their interactions were among the few best parts of season 7, which served as a soft reboot for the show.
Despite the loss of their memories due to the curse, Rogers and Tilly still connected. Their friendship can be seen as a result of the strength of their underlying familial bond, which even the curse couldn't completely erase.