SPOILER ALERT: Warning, this article contains spoilers from the Season 7, Episode 7 of Game of Thrones, entitled “The Dragon and The Wolf.” Proceed at your own risk.
Theon Greyjoy grew his ball backs on the season finale of Game of Thrones, at least figuratively.
In the final episode of Season 7, Theon and his uncle Euron Greyjoy came face-to-face — their first meeting since Episode 2.
That episode saw Euron sacking his niece Yara Greyjoy’s fleet and taking her prisoner. Instead of trying to save his sister, Theon cowardly jumped overboard, and was eventually rescued by another captain named Harrag.
Theon eventually made it back to Dragonstone, where his “brother” Jon Snow begrudgingly spared his life for his role in helping their sister Sansa Stark escape Ramsay Bolton.
During their reunion, Euron taunted his nephew over his cowardice, reminding him that still had Yara.
Later, spurred by this, Theon apologized to Jon for betraying House Stark. Jon forgave Theon, telling him, “You don’t need to choose — you’re a Greyjoy, and you’re a Stark.” Theon then announced he was going to rescue Yara.
Rallying the Troops
With all of Jon’s forces focused on preparing for the Great War, Theon turned to Harrag for help, reminding the captain and his men that Yara is the rightful queen of the Iron Islands.
Harrag literally spat in Theon’s face over his request, and the two began to tussle. Theon got knocked down many times, but kept getting up. Harrag attempted to knee Theon in the crotch, only to discover Theon no longer had any genitals (Ramsay had castrated Theon during his captivity, rendering him into the helpless “Reek“). Theon defeated Harrag and won the respect of the Ironborn crew, who embarked on their rescue mission with the rallying call, “For Yara!”
A bruised and battered Theon made his way to the ocean, where he splashed himself with water — a scene harkening way back to Season 2 when he was baptized in the name of the Drowned God and switched his allegiance from House Stark to House Greyjoy.
This second baptism is seen as a rebirth — no longer is Theon the weak Reek that jumped overboard. He sought forgiveness and received it, and now is on a mission to save Yara.
Did you like the new Theon Greyjoy, and do you think he’ll be successful in his mission?