Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) undergoes one of the most drastic character transformations of all the Game of Thrones cast. Initially a cocky ward to House Stark far from his home on the Iron Islands, Theon takes a dark turn after betraying Robb (Richard Madden), basically his brother, in favor of his distant and abusive father, Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide).
Shortly after capturing Winterfell, the ancestral seat of House Stark, in his father's name, Theon's Ironborn men mutiny against him, which ultimately lands him in the clutches of Ramsay Snow (Iwan Rheon), the psychotic bastard son of Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton), who tortures and castrates the once proud Theon, turning him into his meek and pathetic servant simply known as Reek. Theon retains his Reek persona throughout seasons 4 and 5, but slowly regains his sense of self after he and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) escape Winterfell together.
Game of Thrones took many creative liberties with the character of Theon, who only serves as a narrator in two of the five published A Song of Ice and Fire books to date. As such, his role was expanded for the show, allowing him to appear in every season. With his increased on-screen presence, Theon's character arc neatly intertwines with a minor yet memorable character created specifically for Game of Thrones.
Meet Myranda
Throughout Game of Thrones, Ramsay makes for a match made in hell with Myranda (Charlotte Hope), an original character for the series. The daughter of a poor kennel master, Myranda matches Ramsay's freak, and he grows to care for her as much as he is capable of caring for anyone. Throughout their time on the show, the two are seen hunting human prey together, having rough and violent sex, and had even planned to one day marry — before Roose legitimized Ramsay, giving him the Bolton name he'd sought after his whole life.
Myranda first appears in season 3 as one of the women who seduces Theon just before his castration. This is the moment in which Theon gives up fighting back against Ramsay, fully submitting to him in his next appearance. At Myranda's introduction, Reek is born.
Myranda appears alongside Ramsay throughout seasons 4 and 5, where she grows jealous of his bride, Sansa. In contrast, Sansa, a familiar face to Theon, is able to connect with Reek, eventually goading him into confessing that he did not, in fact, kill her brothers, Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) and Rickon (Art Parkinson), when capturing Winterfell.
When Sansa finally mounts her escape from Winterfell, Myranda and Reek catch her. Myranda is prepared to torture and dismember her when returning her to Ramsay, but Reek puts as stop to that plan. He pushes Myranda off of the Winterfell catwalk, killing her.
As of that moment, Theon has finally shed his Reek persona and reclaimed his own name. While fully recovering will take Theon the rest of his life, only earning absolution from Bran shortly before his death in season 8's Battle of Winterfell, Theon takes his biggest step yet towards becoming Theon once more when he kills Myranda to protect Sansa.
Myranda reflects Reek onto Theon
Myranda's time on Game of Thrones lasts as long as Reek's. In her first appearance, Theon loses his "manhood," something which he had felt defined him, and then shortly thereafter, Ramsay is finally able to fully transform him into Reek. In the episode which features Myranda's death, Reek steps up to protect Sansa, slowly adopting his true identity once again.
It is worth noting that Myranda makes one more appearance on Game of Thrones after her death, as a corpse, in the first episode of season 6, "The Red Woman." This episode also marks a turning point for Theon, who showcases his willingness to risk his own life to protect Sansa, before aiding Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) and Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman) in battle against Bolton soldiers sent to capture Theon and Sansa and bring them back to Ramsay. Theon even kills one soldier himself, saving Pod's life in the process. This shows that no hint of loyalty towards Theon's former master remains.
With Myranda out of the picture and Theon slowly becoming Theon again, he proves ready to make amends with House Stark. While his betrayal back in season 2 is unforgivable, Theon showcases his willingness to try to make things as right as possible. Theon hands Sansa over to Brienne, who has sworn to keep her safe, before heading off to the Iron Islands, slowly making amends and earning back the right to call himself both a Stark and a Greyjoy. Without Myranda, the most human element of Ramsay's character, around, Theon can finally start to heal and become a full-fledged person again himself.
For more from the world of Westeros, make sure to stream House of the Dragon season 3 on HBO Max.
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