alley_skywalker

There's been an uptick in Theon-related discussion regarding like...what people think his ending will be or what they would want it to be (among other things). And it's been kinda interesting because...for some (a lot? idk) people they seem to really be attached or invested into the idea of Theon...mmm, I don't wanna say "continuing to suffer" because I don't think that's how at least some of these people mean it, but I guess...specifically not getting back the max of what he can, to put it kind of crudely. For example, being invested in the idea that he's not going to be able to wield conventional weapons/weapons of his choice (bow, sword) again, even though there have certainly been people with archery knowledge/experience who have expressed the opinion that that's something he should be able to still do if he's able to generally recover (i.e. gain back muscle mass, etc). There seem to be a variety of explanation for different people and different aspects - thematic, just what they think will actually happen, a desire for ~~Representation~~ of a particular type, etc. (I should note at this point that I'm speaking of opinions shared by people who self-identify as Theon fans or at least appear neutral on him.) And I mean that's all valid - personal predictions and preferences are just that. No one's preference is any better than anyone else's.

So, the point isn't about that - that's just the context. What I found interesting is my personal reaction of "NO" to this lol. Interesting, because it's kind of ironic. Usually I'm one of those people who really appreciates bittersweet and high-realism endings. For all the criticism to be made about S8 of GoT I thought the endings themselves were satisfactory exactly in that they seemed to give most of the characters (who survived anyway) some of what they've wanted, but no one really got a perfect fairytale ending or the maximum of what could have been available. And I would have been extremely disappointed if we got a bunch of Marriage & Babies Ever After endings as though this was a holiday romcom and not GoT. But, I digress. The point isn't the specific GoT endings, but just the fact that I don't require super happy endings to be satisfied, especially in something like ASOIAF, which is a canon that never made those kinds of promises narratively, so to speak. Usually it's other people moaning about not getting the happy ending they wanted and me going, "finally, some variety."

And yet. This time. With Theon specifically... Like, look I know GRRM isn't gonna give us this, but my preference would be for the max happy ending possible. I don't know if that's because even the best ending available for Theon within any realistic bounds is going to be bittersweet by just necessity (the trauma will have long-lasting effects even with the best outcomes; lots of physical things will never be regained or regained fully, etc). Maybe it's that. Maybe because I can't see any fulfillment in a story arch (esp for a fave) that goes Things Suck > Things Suck a TON more > things continue to Suck, less than at the last stage but probably more than at the start. When things already start with Things Suck, I'd rather it end with Things Still Kinda Suck But They're Getting Better And Settling Out At Generally OK? And like...even that is kind of a "maybe" for him at the best outcomes. So yea I want the "small" things for him - getting his hair color back, being able to use his bow again - and the somewhat bigger things - building a strong sibling relationship with Asha, getting a place or importance and meaning within the social/political environment of the Iron Islands (not as attached to whether he rules or not - I'm actually not sure that he'd be happy ruling or even if he ever would have been even pre-Ramsay), yes being able to functionally live with the PTSD ffs, and hell why not let's throw "finding romantic love" in there as well, although I don't really care about that as much in a canonical framework. I have some theories as to why but I can't say I can exactly pinpoint why I'd want Theon especially and specifically to be the "things will get better" storyline endgame (as opposed to other faves I have, though I want good things for them too ideally, and regardless of whether I think we'll actually get this). And...idk...aside from personal preferences, it seems like a good enough thematic ending too. Like I know that Theon's story is meant to be a tragedy in a lot of ways but...IDK. I guess I find tragedies and tragic ending more satisfying when they don't already start at a place that makes me wanna cry.

Theon:

Peter:

Me: 😭😭😭

I was reading a forum thread that was like “if Theon had returned to Robb instead of defecting what would his position have been in Robb’s forces?” and the overwhelming majority of replies speculated a rather…bleak future for Theon. The most pessimistic suggested that Theon would basically be a POW, either literally or effectively (i.e. with limited movement potential, always watched, never fully trusted by anyone or with anything important). (I’m excluding the couple of grim outliers who suggested even that Robb’s bannermen would demand Theon’s execution and Robb would do it.) The most optimistic ranged out to him having a fairly high ranking post (Captain of the archers or Master of ships if the North got a navy)  or otherwise a (puppet) Lord of the Iron Islands, installed after Balon’s defeat/death, but having little respect for the Northerners (because lbr he never had any and was unlikely to gain any) and would be despised (understandably) by his own people. Also probably looked down on by everyone everywhere for turning against his blood family because these people tend to be these kinds of hypocrites. Some in-between things were suggested, including kind of humiliating things like being relegated to Robb’s personal guard but not really having independent command due to lack of trust, etc. (We’re not even touching the personal toll on Theon re: going against his own family/people.)

And the thing is…I don’t really disagree with the overwhelming majority of these opinions. There are literally zero good options for Theon in this situation, and going back to Robb is something that would have pleased the audience, not something that would have objectively been good or easy for him or obviously the right choice. And, as we see, people actually understand that (even if they refuse to admit it when asked directly).

And yet, everyone then turns around and bitches about how awful Theon’s decision to defect to his family was. How it was such an obvious choice to stay loyal to Robb.

I can’t tell if I want to cry or laugh more.