On Game of Thrones, there is arguably no character who desires and deserves redemption more than Theon Greyjoy. Raised among the Starks but not one of them, he grows into an arrogant, self-important young man. His desire to prove himself to his father leads him down a disastrous path that includes years of torment.
Theon’s weakness of character compounded by daddy issues, sibling rivalry and ongoing trauma turns him into a man desperate to make up for his past mistakes but often lacking the courage, tenacity or skills to do so. And these are the 10 most shameless things Theon Greyjoy has ever done.
He Betrays Robb Stark
By Robb’s side as the King in the North’s war against the Lannisters rages on during season 2, Theon pledges to avenge Ned’s death. Theon offers to go ask his estranged father, Balon, for use of his fleet. Theon mistakenly believes he can capitalize on Balon’s fatherly affections, but the old man doesn’t have any.
Theon is faced with the choice of helping execute Balon’s plan to attack the Northern shore or returning empty-handed to Robb. If Theon were a man of stronger character who wasn’t obsessed with earning the love and respect of a man unwilling and incapable of giving it, he would and should have remained true to his real family, the Starks.
He Makes A Pass At His Sister
When Theon returns to the Iron Islands on season 2’s “The Night Lands,” there’s no fanfare. Just an attractive woman who offers to take him to his father’s castle. Theon, an incorrigible flirt, begins coming onto her immediately. His behavior grows more aggressive, and she lets him have his fun.
Theon doesn’t realize he’s trying to hook up with his older sister, Yara. Even though incest is disturbingly commonplace in this fantasy world, Theon is still appropriately mortified, but if he wouldn’t allow himself to be ruled by his libido and treat women so disrespectfully, he may have avoided making a fool of himself. Yara plays along to get a feel (no pun intended) for what her brother is like, and their short journey tells her everything she needs to know.
He Attacks Winterfell
Theon’s sense of self-entitlement leads to his downfall. Believing his crew should support an unproven leader and outsider, Theon is easily manipulated by first mate, Dagmer. Theon sees a quick and easy way to make a power grab and mistakenly sets his sights on Winterfell. On season 2’s “The Old Gods and the New,” Theon bullies Bran, threatening innocent people to get the boy to yield, and afterward boasts about a victory that serves no purpose.
He’s driven by his jealousy of Yara and the constant emasculation he endures from his sister and father. Better he swallows his pride and sticks to Balon’s plan than to be guided by his hubris. The Ironborn have little interest in the politics of the Seven Kingdoms, and they aren’t impressed by Theon usurping a child and conquering non-threatening adversaries such as women, children and old men.
He Kills Ser Rodrik
Unable to demand respect through empty threats and idle threats, he decides to go with violence and intimidation on season 2’s “The Old Gods and the New.” Ser Rodrik tasked with looking out for the Stark siblings is defiant in the aftermath of Theon’s lackluster victory.
Once again, Dagmer manipulates Theon into a self-destructive decision. Theon doesn’t have the stomach to kill Ser Rodrik, but he’ll do anything to save face. The result is an agonizing execution that highlights how inept Theon is as a leader.
He Forces Bran And Rickon To Flee Their Home
With Bran’s visions coming to fruition, Theon’s reign over Winterfell promising to be short-lived, and nobody left to keep Bran and Rickon safe, Osha helps the boys escape on season 2’s “The Old Gods and the New.”
This is the start of a long journey for both boys, especially Bran whose destiny awaits him far to the north. With the boys gone, Theon loses his only leverage.
He Orders The Death Of Two Farm Boys
During season 2, Theon’s decisions go from bad to worse. After losing Bran and Rickon, Theon isn’t worried about the boys’ safety – both who are raised to view Theon as a brother – and entirely about saving face on season 2’s “A Man Without Honor.”
His failure to find and capture Bran and Rickon distances him further not just from the Ironborn, who don’t accept him anyway, but also the Northerners who once did. Whether or not Theon kills these innocent boys himself, but he condones the needless, calculated brutality. He may not swing the sword, but he may as well have.
He Lets Everyone Believe He Murdered Bran and Rickon
After losing Bran and Rickon, Theon weighs his options and decides to falsely advertise himself as their killer. Two children are victims of unspeakable violence, it’s just not the Stark boys. Theon appears briefly horrified at how low he’s sunk when he reveals the two, small unrecognizable remains, but he’s determined to take credit for the heinous act even if it’s not quite what it seems.
He has the chance to leave and atone, but Theon refuses defeat. His actions have unintended consequences for all of the remaining Starks and the future of Winterfell, and he gives them as much thought as a petulant child whose toy is being taken away.
He Watches Ramsay Defile Sansa
Perhaps if Theon was a stronger man he could have endured Ramsay’s torture and still come out the other side with some sense of self-worth left. He had opportunities to fight, to run, to slit Ramsay’s throat. Sansa’s return to Winterfell during season 5 serves as a reminder of how he betrayed her family. Theon’s concerned for her, but he just becomes a way for Ramsay to torture his new bride, starting on their wedding night on season 5’s “Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken.”
Theon stands and watches as Ramsay defiles Sansa because Ramsay orders him to, but Theon has the choice to take a stand. Ultimately, Sansa’s fate is likely sealed, but there’s a chance she could have been spared some pain and humiliation.
He Betrays Sansa
Trapped in Winterfell with her sadistic husband on season 5’s “The Gift,” Sansa turns to her only conceivable ally for help – Theon. Despite everything he’s done to her family, Sansa tries to instill in Theon that he’s still a Greyjoy. Amid her pain and suffering, she tries to ease his, and all she asks in return is for him to signal for help.
Not only does Theon break his promise, he tells Ramsay of Sansa’s request. Why Theon believes living as Reek is preferable to death, and why he’s not willing to lay down his life for Sansa speaks to the hold Ramsay has on Theon’s weak mind.
He Allows Euron To Take Yara Prisoner
The only unconditional love Theon has ever known is from his sister, Yara. She refuses to coddle him, preferring to dole out tough love. Their time together after his imprisonment with Ramsay has a healing effect on Theon both physically and mentally. But during season 8, when Euron attacks Yara’s fleet and takes her captive, Theon regresses to his Reek days.
Euron gives Theon a chance to save his sister, but the battle triggers Theon, and he flees, leaving Yara behind. Euron isn’t surprised by Theon’s cowardice, but Yara’s disappointment is impossible to miss. For Theon, self-preservation comes first, but Yara puts her life at risk to save him in the past, and he doesn’t return the favor.
