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Who cares about magic? True love is the most powerful magic of all. It can overcome anything.
―Daniel to Regina[src]

Daniel Colter is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time and is Regina Mills' deceased fiancee.

Biography[]

Before the First Curse[]

The horse stable boy Daniel and a woman named Regina fell deeply in love with each other but are forced to keep it a secret due to their differences in social rank. Regina knows their relationship will displease her mother Cora in knowing her only daughter was in love with a stable boy and not someone who was of higher rank. Daniel is in disbelief that Cora cares so much about status difference when she, too, had humble beginnings as a miller's daughter before marrying Regina's father, Henry. Cora seeks out an opportunity to have her daughter noticed by a king of a neighboring country that is passing through their lands. So, she comes up with a plan in suggesting the king's daughter, Snow White, to take a ride on one of their stable horses. Cora ends up startling the horse purposely and sending the animal running amok with a terrified Snow White helpless to do anything. She is aware Regina will hear Snow White's cries for help and save the young girl.

Thus, Snow White's father King Leopold hears of Regina's heroic deed in rescuing his precious daughter and comes the next day to formally propose to her in the hopes of Regina becoming Snow White's stepmother. Regina is flabbergasted and looks to her father for help, but he says nothing, and Cora accepts the proposal for her.

Once Upon a Time - 1x18 - The Stable Boy - Regina and Daniel

Horrified, she runs to Daniel and is in tears over the arranged marriage. Regina begs Daniel to run away with her and get married. He accepts and gives her a ring to symbolize their future marriage. During a passionate embrace, they are interrupted by Snow White, who, in her confusion and hurt, runs away. Regina catches up with her, and tries to reason with Snow White why she cannot marry her father. She explains what she and Daniel have is true love, and that he makes her very happy. After prompted by Regina, Snow White promises to keep Regina's secret.

However, Snow White is moved by Cora, who says she will do anything to make Regina happy, and is manipulated by her into believing it is alright to talk about Regina's love for Daniel.

That night, Regina and Daniel plan to run away together, but Cora is already waiting outside the barn for them. She traps them in and is enraged that Regina would give up everything for a stable boy.

After some tension and Regina's adamant reasoning with her mother, Cora appears to relent in her stubbornness. They make up by hugging, and Cora walks over to Daniel. He exchanges kind and understanding words with her in which he is sympathetic to her role as Regina's mother, and how she only ever wants what was best for Regina. Cora agrees and makes a sudden move at Daniel by ripping his heart out of his chest. Unmoved by her daughter's sobs as Regina holds an unresponsive Daniel in her arms, Cora crushes the heart to dust.

The death of Daniel changes Regina's personality completely, especially when she learns Snow White told Cora about Daniel. Snow White guiltily admits she couldn't withhold the information, because she was worried about Regina losing her mother. Regina appears be understanding, but it is only a mask of emotions to hide the anger she is feeling underneath.

Afterwards, Regina asks her mother if she had purposely caused the horse Snow White was on to go wild in order for her to save the girl, thereby getting Regina the marriage proposal from the king. Cora denies having anything to do with it, and Regina's fury at Daniel's death misdirects itself at Snow White, and hatred towards her begins to fester.

After she becomes Queen, Regina preserves Daniel's body with an enchantment spell and keeps him at her family's mausoleum. Eventually, Regina tries to learn magic from Rumplestiltskin to find out how to bring him back from the dead. Through Jefferson, they are able to enlist Doctor Victor Frankenstein's help to bring him back, although because of a deal he had made with Rumplestiltskin, he pretends to try and fail at reviving Daniel.

After the First Curse[]

Once Upon a Time - 2x05 - The Doctor - Daniel

Daniel is resurrected

Let me go [....] Then love again.
―Daniel's final wishes to Regina[src]

After Emma Swan breaks the Dark Curse, Dr. Whale (Dr. Frankenstein in Storybrooke) revives Daniel, but Daniel becomes violent and attacks the doctor, ripping his arm off in the process. He leaves for the stables because it was the last place he remembers being. Daniel encounters Henry Mills and has a flashback of Cora ripping out his heart. The memory gives him a bad reaction, and he attacks Henry until Regina and David Nolan arrive to stop him. Regina convinces David to let her talk to him. At first, Daniel attacks and chokes Regina until she gasps and says, "I love you." This causes Daniel to regain his senses and let go of Regina. They briefly reunite. However, due to the pain that was somehow the result of his monstrous behavior or revival, Daniel attempts to attack Regina again. Regina is forced to stop him with her magic and turn him to dust, but not before Daniel tells Regina to let go of their love and learn to love again. Regina says her goodbyes as she cries.

Daniel is later mentioned when Storybrooke is under the spell of shattered sight, which is cast by Ingrid the Snow Queen. While under the spell, David says that Mary Margret told Cora about Daniel, which resulted in her killing him. Filled with anger, Regina tries to kill Mary Margret for spilling Regina's secret. However, all is forgiven after the spell is broken once Ingrid dies and Regina and Mary Margret reconcile.

Before the Third Cure[]

It was like it was happening all over again.
―Regina after reliving the memory of Daniel's death.[src]

While everyone is in Camelot, Emma, as the Dark One, asks Regina for a tear as part of her plan to get rid of the darkness inside Emma. Regina agrees as Emma asks her to watch a painful memory in a dreamcatcher. Regina thinks of the time Daniel was killed by her mother, which Emma is able to see as well. Heartbroken over the memory, Regina states that it was like seeing Daniel be killed again. Emma consoles Regina saying she doesn't understand how someone [Cora] could do something so horrific, to which Regina says that her mother thought it would help Regina become like her mother.

After the Third Curse[]

I am so glad you're somewhere better. I'm also sorry I missed the chance to see you. You were my first love, Daniel...and you will always live in my heart. I just needed to know you were okay.
―Regina says her final goodbye.[src]
Once Upon a Time - 5x14 -Devil's Due - Daniel's Headstone

Daniel is revealed to be in a better place

When the heroes arrive in the underworld, Regina decides to take this as a chance to see Daniel again so asks Cruella De Vil for help in how to locate someone. Cruella informs Regina that there are three meanings with the headstones: if the headstone is tipped, it means the person is in a better place, if it is upright, they are in the underworld with unfinished business, or the worst is if the headstone is cracked, which means they have gone to a worse place.

With the help of Snow White, Regina visits the graveyard and learns that Daniel is no longer here; he is in a better place. Once alone, Regina says that she is glad Daniel is in a better place, but it is sad that she missed her chance to see him. Regina tearfully says that Daniel was he first love and he will always have a special place in her heart, before departing.

Trivia[]

  • Regina gave her adopted son Henry Mills the middle name "Daniel" to honour her deceased love.

Gallery[]

External links[]

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v - e - d
Media
Shows: Once Upon a TimeOnce Upon a Time in Wonderland

Books: Once Upon a Time: Red's Untold Tale

Characters
Once Upon a Time

Season One: Emma SwanSnow White/Mary Margaret BlanchardPrince Charming/David NolanRumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold/WeaverEvil Queen/Regina Mills/RoniBelle French/LaceyHenry MillsHappySneezy/Mr. ClarkBashfulDocDopeySleepy/WalterJiminy Cricket/Archie HopperLady TremaineStealthyVictor Frankenstein/Dr. WhaleBlue Fairy/Mother SuperiorWidow Lucas/GrannyKing George/Albert SpencerGenie/Magic Mirror/Sidney GlassNurse RatchedMad Hatter/JeffersonPrince Henry MillsKnave of HeartsSheriff of Nottingham/KeithFairy GodmotherAbigail/Kathryn NolanRed Riding Hood/RubyHuntsman/Sheriff GrahamBaelfire/Neal CassidyPinocchio/August W. BoothFrederick/JimSevere NurseMayor TomkinsHansel and Gretel/Nicholas and Ava ZimmerThe Woodcutter/Michael TillmanMartinMyrnaStephenDonnaPrince JamesBlind WitchPeterSirenPongoGastonThe King/Mitchell HermanKing LeopoldKing MidasZosoPrince Thomas/Sean HermanGraceDaniel ColterNovaBriar RoseGeppetto/MarcoGus/BillyRuthDark One
Season Two: Killian Jones/Captain HookAuroraPrince PhillipMulanMilahMaid MarianQuinnAnita LucasJackKing XavierAntonWilliam SmeeGreg MendellTamaraThe DragonQueen EvaSeerLancelotWendy DarlingNanaMary DarlingGeorge DarlingJohn DarlingMichael DarlingThe ShadowFelixRaven
Season Three: Queen of Hearts/Cora MillsMalcolm/Peter PanArielZelena/The Wicked Witch of the WestGlindaWalsh/Wizard of OzElsa the Snow QueenTinker BellLumiereBlackbeardUrsula the Sea GoddessJonathanDorothy GaleThe Witch of the EastRapunzelRapunzel's MotherRapunzel's FatherThe Sheriff of HamelinMedusaPrince EricLiam JonesRoland
Season Four: AnnaKristoffHansGrand PabbieSvenUrsula the Sea WitchMarshmallowLittle Bo PeepThe ApprenticeIngridLily PageColetteOakenKing of ArendelleQueen GerdaCruella De VilPoseidonDuke of WeseltonHans' BrothersChernabogKing StefanIsaac/The AuthorMadelineMerlin/The Sorcerer
Season Five: MeridaQueen ElinorKing FergusCaptain SilverHarris, Hubert, and HamishThe WitchLord MacGuffinLord MacintoshLord DingwallKing ArthurSir KayGuinevereGorgon The InvincibleCharonBrennan JonesHadesMegaraHerculesZeusCerberusThe ScarecrowTotoCleo FoxAuntie EmDr. JekyllMr. HydeEvil Queen
Season Six: AladdinGideonCount of Monte CristoAlexandraJasmineRed BirdCaptain NemoClorindaTisbeJacobOracleRoyal GuardsThe SultanBeowulfBlack FairyHook/RogersTiger LilyRobertPrince AchmedStanumCowardly LionLucyRobin of Locksley
Season Seven: Rapunzel Tremaine/Victoria BelfreyCinderella/Jacinda VidrioTiana/SabineIslaRobin Hood/MargotAlice/TillyDrizella/Ivy BelfreyAnastasiaGothel/Eloise GardenerEudoraDr. Facilier/Mr. SamdiHansel/Jack/Nick BransonMarcus TremaineCeceliaMadame LeotaNaveen/DrewBlind Witch/HildaGretelChadSeraphinaFloraIslaZorroFairy GodmotherPrincePrince Naveen/Drew

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland: AliceCyrusAnastasia/Red QueenPercy/White RabbitEdwinJabberwockySilvermistThe Sultan/The Old PrisonerTweedle Dee and Tweedle DumMrs. RabbitElizabeth/LizardAmaraBandersnatchMillieCheshire Cat

Both series: Will Scarlet/The Knave of HeartsCinderella/Ashley BoydRobin HoodLittle JohnFriar TuckGrumpy/LeroyCora/The Queen of HeartsCaterpillarMaleficentJafarDr. Lydgate

Episodes
Season One: "Pilot" • "The Thing You Love Most" • "Snow Falls" • "The Price of Gold" • "That Still Small Voice" • "The Shepherd" • "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" • "Desperate Souls" • "True North" • "7:15 A.M." • "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree" • "Skin Deep" • "What Happened to Frederick" • "Dreamy" • "Red-Handed" • "Heart of Darkness" • "Hat Trick" • "The Stable Boy" • "The Return" • "The Stranger" • "An Apple Red as Blood" • "A Land Without Magic"

Season Two: "Broken" • "We Are Both" • "Lady of the Lake" • "The Crocodile" • "The Doctor" • "Tallahassee" • "Child of the Moon" • "Into the Deep" • "Queen of Hearts" • "The Cricket Game" • "The Outsider" • "In the Name of the Brother" • "Tiny" • "Manhattan" • "The Queen Is Dead" • "The Miller's Daughter" • "Welcome to Storybrooke" • "Selfless, Brave and True" • "Lacey" • "The Evil Queen" • "Second Star to the Right" • "And Straight On 'Til Morning"
Season Three: "The Heart of the Truest Believer" • "Lost Girl" • "Quite a Common Fairy" • "Nasty Habits" • "Good Form" • "Ariel" • "Dark Hollow" • "Think Lovely Thoughts" • "Save Henry" • "The New Neverland" • "Going Home" • "New York City Serenade" • "Witch Hunt" • "The Tower" • "Quiet Minds" • "It's Not Easy Being Green" • "The Jolly Roger" • "Bleeding Through" • "A Curious Thing" • "Kansas" • "Snow Drifts" • "There's No Place Like Home"
Season Four: "A Tale of Two Sisters" • "White Out" • "Rocky Road" • "The Apprentice" • "Breaking Glass" • "Family Business" • "The Snow Queen" • "Smash the Mirror" • "Fall" • "Shattered Sight" • "Heroes and Villains" • "Darkness on the Edge of Town" • "Unforgiven" • "Enter the Dragon" • "Poor Unfortunate Soul" • "Best Laid Plans" • "Heart of Gold" • "Sympathy for the De Vil" • "Lily" • "Mother" • "Operation Mongoose"
Season Five: "The Dark Swan" • "The Price" • "Siege Perilous" • "The Broken Kingdom" • "Dreamcatcher" • "The Bear and the Bow" • "Birth" • "The Bear King" • "Broken Heart" • "Swan Song" • "Souls of the Departed" • "Labor of Love" • "Devil's Due" • "The Brothers Jones" • "Our Decay" • "Her Handsome Hero" • "Ruby Slippers" • "Sisters" • "Firebird" • "Last Rites" • "Only You" • "An Untold Story"
Season Six: "The Savior" • "A Bitter Draught" • "The Other Shoe" • "Strange Case" • "Street Rats" • "Dark Waters" • "Heartless" • "I'll Be Your Mirror" • "Changelings" • "Wish You Were Here" • "Tougher Than the Rest" • "Murder Most Foul • "Ill-Boding Patterns" • "Page 23" • "A Wondrous Place" • "Mother's Little Helper" • "Awake" • "Where Bluebirds Fly" • "The Black Fairy" • "The Song in Your Heart" • "The Final Battle"
Season Seven: "Hyperion Heights" • "A Pirate's Life"• "The Garden of Forking Paths" • "Beauty" • "Greenbacks" • "Wake Up Call" • "Eloise Gardener" • "Pretty in Blue" • "One Little Tear" • "The Eighth Witch" • "Secret Garden" • "A Taste of the Heights" • "Knightfall" • "The Girl in the Tower" • "Sisterhood" • "Breadcrumbs" • "Chosen" • "The Guardian" • "Flower Child" • "Is This Henry Mills?" • "Homecoming" • "Leaving Storybrooke"

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland: "Down the Rabbit Hole" • "Trust Me" • "Forget Me Not" • "The Serpent" • "Heart of Stone" • "Who's Alice?" • "Bad Blood" • "Home" • "Nothing to Fear" • "Dirty Little Secrets" • "Heart of the Matter" • "To Catch a Thief" • "And They Lived..."

Locations
Once Upon a Time: The Royal CastleBostonDark PalaceMaurice's CastleRumplestiltskin's Castle/Dark CastleLibraryKing's CastleTremaine estateMaurice's CastleDwarves' CottageDwarf MinesThe Queen of Hearts' CastleGeppetto's HomeNew York CityKing Stefan's CastleThe BeanstalkGiant's LairChinese VillageEnglandLondonDarling NurseryNeverlandBig BenSkull RockHamelinMaritime CastleRapunzel's TowerVault of the Dark OneLand of OzYellow Brick RoadEmerald CityArendelleValley of the Living RockArendelle CastleElsa's Ice PalaceWandering Oaken's Trading Post and SaunaBald MountainRing of StonesDunBrochWitch's CottageCastle DunBrochUnderworldMount OlympusPoppy FieldsAuntie's Chicken & WafflesCave of WondersPleasure IslandMagical ForestSeattleHyperion HeightsBelle & Gold's HouseFacilier's LairGothel's GardenTiana's PalaceSan FranciscoMemento MoriMaldoniaFlynn's BarcadeUnited RealmsRapunzel's Tower

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland: Wonderland CastleThe Mad Hatter's HouseWhite Rabbit's HouseUnderlandTulgey Wood
Both series: StorybrookeMaineEnchanted ForestForbidden FortressWonderlandWonderland MazeAgrabahSherwood ForestThe Sultan's Palace

Objects
Once Upon a Time: Once Upon a Time (Book)Snow White's Glass CoffinRed Riding HoodMaleficent's StaffMagic WandGlass SlipperPoisoned AppleSpinning WheelMagic LampDark One's DaggerChipped CupJefferson's HatMagic BeansCaptain Hook's HooksEnchanted CandlePixie DustDreamshadeSalad ForkPandora's BoxSilver SlippersSorcerer HatEnchanted BroomTridentEnchanted ShellHeroes and Villains (Book)Merida's BowMagical RoseExcaliburOlympian CrystalCinderella's DressGolden Scarab BeetleRapunzel's Frying PanMagical Golden FlowerShrinking PotionFloating LanternsTarot CardsMaui's Fish Hook

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland: Vorpal Blade
Both series: Enchanted HeartsJafar's Lamp

Songs
"Give a Little Whistle" • "Heigh-Ho" • "With a Smile and a Song" • "Beauty and the Beast" • "Part of Your World" • "Fathoms Below" • "Cruella De Vil • "Some Day My Prince Will Come" • "The Unbirthday Song"

Original Songs: "Powerful Magic" • The Queen SingsLove Doesn't Stand a ChanceRevenge Is Gonna Be MineWicked Always WinsCharmings vs. Evil QueenEmma's ThemeA Happy Beginning

Vehicles
Yellow BugThe Jolly RogerMagic CarpetRoyal ShipCruella's carNautilusCinderella's Coach
Groups
Pirate CrewMerrie MenLost BoysCoven of the Eight
Species
FairiesUnicornsDragonsBridge TrollsWraithOgresMermaidsKrakenFlying MonkeysRock TrollsWill O' the WispsFuriesMunchkinsTree Nymphs