30 Predictions for Game of Thrones Season 7
By Sarah Weymes
19) Yara Greyjoy will die, and Theon will be forced to lead her men
“What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger.” This is the motto of House Greyjoy, and it fits no character as well as it does Theon, Balon Greyjoy’s youngest son, and Ned Stark’s former ward. Theon began his story as a cocky, careless boy who betrayed Robb Stark and lost Winterfell to the Boltons in the process. He was then ‘killed’ by Ramsay Bolton in every sense but the physical. Ramsay mutilated him, tortured him and stripped him of his identity, piece by piece. By the time Theon met Sansa Stark in the fifth season, he was fully immersed in his new identity of Reek, Ramsay’s lowly slave. His old self was dead and buried.
What followed was Theon’s rebirth. Inspired by Sansa’s own fortitude in the face of despair, Theon saved her from the vicious Myranda, and together they escaped Winterfell. Since then, he has been learning, slowly, to become Theon Greyjoy again — albeit a wiser, stronger, more loyal Theon Greyjoy. From his excellent sister, Yara, he has received genuine support and assurance, and he supports her claim to the Iron Islands in return. There’s no doubt that she deserves to rule.
But the show hasn’t been following Yara Greyjoy from the beginning, it’s been following Theon. This is very much his tale, and as we inch closer to the inevitable finish line, it’s only natural that the show divests itself of any ‘extra’ characters. Margaery and Loras were the most recent victims of the cull, and it seems sadly inevitable that Yara will be the next. Although she’s great, and very clearly suited to lead the Ironborn, her death would be the much-needed catalyst for Theon’s ascension, pushing him to assume the role of leader.