Each week Ivey and Bob break down ‘Game of Thrones’ from the perspective of those who have read all the novels (so spoiler-phobes beware). This week Theon is in the spotlight. We discuss the Greyjoy heir and speculate on his future.

We’re three episodes into the second season of Game of Thrones and things seem to be picking up. This week we saw more people thrown into prison, a few deaths (including more kids), some romance, and the introduction of Brienne (that’s one big lady). What stuck out most for me though was Theon’s story in Pyke.

As always, this column is for book readers — there are many spoilers ahead, for all the novels. If you don’t want anything spoiled turn back now!

Bob:

I remember being surprised by Theon’s large role in A Clash of Kings when I was reading the series. Honestly, he was such a minor character in the first book, I barely remembered who he was when I picked up the second novel (don’t judge me). I think his story in the beginning of the season has been one of the most compelling.

Theon’s history is an interesting one, and I think the show has done a good job establishing it for non-readers. The poor guy is in a completely impossible situation, and I always appreciate when a storyteller is able to create one like this. Does Theon stay loyal to Robb, who is the closest thing to a brother that he has known? Or does he try to return to his true family, even if they did give him up? There’s no right answer there. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of Theon’s story playing out.

Ivey:

My approach to the first book was different, because I picked it up after I’d already started the first season of the show. That said, the increase in his import in the second book is really what helped me understand the style that A Song of Ice and Fire was written in: characters come and go, rising and lowering in importance to the story. But Theon’s arc this season is just the start of what is a very tragic story — at least so far. We saw the first of that this week, in a scene that did a better job of defining the relationship between he and Balon.

Theon definitely has some “daddy issues” going. His speech about being abandoned showed that neither Balon nor Eddard Stark was ever the father figure that he needed. That Theon would betray the only person who ever treated him well for the sake of looking just a little better in Balon’s eyes speaks volumes.

Bob:

We should definitely take some time to mention how good both Alfie Allen and Patrick Malahide have been this season. They’ve probably had the juiciest material to act with so far this year, but they been great. Malahide was able to sell all those years of regret for Balon with one look.

Ivey:

One thing that I am concerned about — and I feel like a louse for just having realized it this late in the game — is that the character of Reek was not cast for this season. Considering how intertwined Reek is in Theon’s fall starting later in the season, I’m more than a little surprised. It is Reek that prods Theon into his most despicable act. How do you think Weiss and Benioff will handle it now?

Bob:

I don’t think a lack of Ramsay is going to have a big effect on the story. I think there are probably two ways that the end of Theon’s arc could go. The first is maybe the obvious one: Theon doesn’t get prodded at all and finds his own way. It would certainly make Theon’s arc a darker one.

More likely, though, would be if Roose Bolton took over the role for his bastard son. Bolton is one of the biggest villains in the novels (along with Ramsay). If he gets to do all the despicable things that he did in the novel, along with the sociopathic deeds of Ramsay, he would become even worse. I can’t think of any obvious reason why Roose couldn’t perpetrate most of Ramsay’s important events from the novels. To me, this seems like just another case of character conservation (see Bronn taking over the city watch or Osha taking the place of the Reeds).

If Roose takes over for Ramsay in the second season it could make for a very interesting dynamic. You mentioned daddy issues, and they are most certainly there for Theon. It would make perfect sense, then, for Theon to be easily led down the wrong path by an older Lord who takes a liking to him. Is he going to find his father figure in Roose?

You also have to wonder what the producers are going to do about Alfie Allen. As you know, Theon has a very prolonged absence from the books. Is that going to follow suit on the show? Do they have different plans for Theon?

Ivey:

If things go the way you’re mapping out, then doesn’t it make sense for Theon to be with Roose during the corresponding events of A Storm of Swords? Which would make for a very interesting reunion at the Tully/Frey wedding.

Well, for a couple of minutes at least.

Bob:

I’m not sure. I would imagine things would take the eventual turn and Theon would be in Roose’s dungeon eating rats, but I have to admit, your idea would make for some good TV!

Photo Credit: Helen Sloan/HBO