Ramsay did some number on him.
Aside from the epic action, twisting plot and superb characters, Game of Thrones continues to hold our attention because of one vital reason, the superb performances from the cast.
This season alone, we’ve already had scene stealing turns from Rory McCann (The Hound), Pilou Asbæk (Euron Greyjoy) and Jim Broadbent (Archmaester Ebrose), but Alfie Allen’s performance as Theon Greyjoy has been absolutely excellent.
As a character, we really shouldn’t root for Theon.
After meeting him, we see that he’s spoiled, entitled, brash, arrogant and a little bit of a sexual deviant.
Don’t forget that he didn’t think twice about killing those direwolves when they were merely puppies, or the fact that he sacked Winterfell and killed Ser Rodrik before betraying Maester Luwin.
This being said, there’s no denying that Theon is still suffering from a severe case of PTSD following the heinous acts of psychological and physical torture that were perpetrated by Ramsay Bolton. Remnants of the ‘Reek’ persona still haunt Balon Greyjoy’s son.
In Season 6, we started to see Theon making amends and regaining some of his decency after years of torture and abuse.
Not only did he help Sansa escape from Winterfell, but he also realised that he wasn’t fit to rule the Iron Islands. In a nice act of solidarity and humility, he supported Yara’s claim to the Salt Throne – despite the threats and murderous intentions of his uncle Euron.
In the most recent Game of Thrones episode, Theon came under fire – in more ways than one – after he abandoned ship following Euron’s savage attack that destroyed her Iron Fleet.
Not only did he leave Yara behind, but it appeared that he also reverted to the ‘Reek’ persona.
During a superb discussion about that scene, Game of Thrones producer D.B Weiss revealed Theon’s motivations as he jumped from the ship.
“We maybe fooled ourselves into thinking that Theon was out of the woods on his whole Reek experience, but as we were writing that scene, we realised that this is something that you just don’t get over something like that. That’s going to be a part of him for the rest of his life. This is a place (Euron’s ship) that triggers the worst parts of that experience. He sees people doing the same type of things that Ramsay used to do to him, and he sees Euron’s pure psycho glee about this whole thing. When Theon jumps overboard, that laugh from Euron is the character’s encapsulation in one shot.”
While people have been quick to critscise Theon’s decision, just remember a few points. If he had attacked Euron or begged for Yara’s life, it’s very likely that Euron still would have murdered his niece. In fact, we would have gotten an an extra sadistic pleasure from doing so.
Also, it’s more than likely that Theon would have been killed or captured if he stayed and fought.
Euron clearly laid a psychological trap. Was everyone critical of Jon Snow after he fell for a similar tactic that Ramsay Bolton used with Rickon before the Battle of the Bastards?
For some extra context about that scene, Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy) has also offered her view.
“When Yara gets taken by Euron on the boat, initially she feels like Theon’s back. He’ll do something, he’ll do the right thing. After the change happens in his eyes, she realises that he’s not going to stay. She’s heartbroken at that point,” Whelan says.
We reckon that Theon still has a role to play in the wars to come.
Here’s the interview in full.
