His Watch Has Ended: Theon Greyjoy
Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy on Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones has entered its final season and that means it’s time to take stock of the show as a whole. But rather than do a set of episode reviews, we decided to take a little inspiration from the books for our post-mortem. George R.R. Martin’s still unfinished series features chapters based on the point of view of its characters, so each of these posts will review their individual journeys in the show as they come to their end, whether peacefully or violently - this is Thrones, after all.
We’ll ask the same set of questions for each character, reflect on where they came from, where the events of the series took them, and where we leave them. How effective was the show’s approach to the character, and is their ending satisfying? What purpose did each character serve throughout the series?
If it isn’t already obvious, this is MEGA-SPOILER territory, so beware if you’re not fully caught up on the show.
See also from this series:
Melisandre
Night King
Lyanna Mormont
Jorah Mormont
Theon Greyjoy
Where did he come from?
He is the son of the joyless and unforgiving Balon Greyjoy from the Iron Islands and the younger brother of Yara Greyjoy. He was taken as a ward by Ned Stark following the failed Greyjoy Rebellion, and by the time we meet Theon (Alfie Allen), he’s become very much a part of the Stark family and Robb’s closest confidant.
Where did the show take him?
Ugh. Do we need to relive all the gruesome details? No one goes through as much torture as Theon, who was transformed into “Reek” by the sadistic Ramsay Bolton. If we’re talking about breaking down characters and building them back up, look no further than Theon, even though Dany burned everything down and then emerged naked without a scratch twice.
Theon spends most of his time in Winterfell; he’s a Stark ward at first, then pretends to be a ruthless Greyjoy badass but ends up getting flayed and castrated by Ramsay, and other than a few brief trips to the Iron Islands ends up back where he started.
Where does his story end?
Two important milestones in Theon’s redemption arc: both Sansa and Bran accept his offer to help. He stood by while Ramsay tortured and raped Sansa, and it was Theon who sacked Winterfell and forced Bran and Rickon to flee with Osha and Hordor. He’s welcomed back with open arms, however, and before Theon’s final stand, Bran remarks that Theon is where he belongs: home. Of the characters who die in Episode 3, he is the only character to return to where he started.
Does the character redeem himself?
Definitely. He starts off as an immature young man unsure of his own abilities and therefore unsure of his own allegiances, insecure about his own social standing but unafraid to look down at those he believes are lower than him, and he’s persuaded easily because he simply wants to feel like he belongs. He wants to be in charge even though he has zero leadership qualities, but by the end of the series takes agency in his own actions, requesting to leave Yara’s side to fight for the people he considers his true family.
You don’t need balls to be a man.
Is His ending satisfying?
Absolutely, and he needed to die. Look, in Game of Thrones, once a character has completed their arc, they’re going to die. Theon’s last defense against the Night King was doomed, but he fought bravely. Both Theon and the audience knew his end was coming, and he accepted it anyway.
What role did this character player in the overall storytelling?
Plot-wise, Theon’s most consequential action is definitely saving Sansa, and without her and the Knights of the Vale, Jon would’ve lost the Battle of the Bastards. Theon also ends up turning against Robb after he tries to prove himself worthy to his Ironborn natives, but isn’t directly involved in the Red Wedding. The show has portrayed Westeros as an unflinchingly cruel society where selfishness can be a virtue and Theon’s motivations are often disagreeable, but that only makes Theon’s redemption all the more triumphant.
Best Moment on the Show
Is there a better moment than Theon rushing at the Night King and proving his bravery and honour? Honourable mention goes to his change of heart and murdering Myranda in order to save Sansa.