Asking if a character is dead on Game of Thrones is a dicey proposition. As fans well know, characters on this show don’t always stay dead. Just ask Jon Snow.
It’s a lot like heroes dying in comics. There’s a saying that the only people who stay dead in superhero comics are Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben and Bruce Wayne’s parents. The millions who packed theaters playing Avengers: Endgame can attest to that.
The question still being asked after Sunday night’s episode: Is Theon really dead after being stabbed by the Night King?
How did Theon die on ‘Game of Thrones’?
Theon’s role in the big battle was to protect Bran, and he did a great job at that. The character returned to Winterfell to fight with his family. Unfortunately, his life was lost.TV Line has all but written Theon’s obituary, saying he was “stabbed with his own weapon by the Night King, in an effort to protect Bran in the godswood during the Battle of Winterfell.”
On a weekend fans were trying to shield themselves from the secrets of both Avengers: Endgame and GoT, this was too much to take — especially considering how far Theon has come to redeem himself with the Starks.
One reader named Ann griped: “Can’t believe they posted several of these of all the characters who apparently got killed in their headline!! Geez! Major spoilers. Don’t put in it the title!!!! You didn’t even give people the opportunity to not look!”
Another reader named Lilah also hated the spoiler but thought Theon got the send-off he deserved.
“While I was devastated by Theon’s death, I was so proud of how he went out. He fought so hard to protect Bran, thus proving once and for all that he was both Greyjoy and Stark. RIP, Theon. Glad you saved your sister and got that sweet hug from Sansa before the end.”
Could Theon be alive?
On the other hand, fans may have a hard time letting Theon go. After all, he’s been with the show since the very first episode. Last week, we here were wondering if Sansa and Theon were in love, and if they were, that would be a bittersweet ending indeed.
But is it really true? Stricken fans may note that they saw Theon bleeding profusely but didn’t see him expire per se. And maybe they couldn’t see him die because the fans deluged the Internet with complaints that the cinematography was too dark.
Fans have reason to hope. The TV show has quite a few precedents of characters meeting their demise — only to be resurrected later. What’s more, fans are confused by the turn of events: If Bran knew Arya was around the corner, why would he let Theon attack the Night King and die for no reason? Does this mean Bran knew Theon wouldn’t fully die? Or does it mean Bran knew if things didn’t precisely happen in a certain order — butterfly effect — then the Night King wouldn’t be killed?
What happens to Theon in ‘Game of Thrones’?
Hope may spring eternal, but most fans of the show seem to accept that Theon is really most sincerely dead. Vulture’s recap stated that “it was lovely and fitting” that he went out protecting Bran.
For that matter, none other than Alfie Allen, who plays Theon, was content to lay his character to rest with a single heart emoji. His costar was more elaborate. Pilou Asbaek, who plays Theon’s brother Euron, commented: “What an incredible character you have created. I have loved every minute of Theon’s storyline, because of your beautiful work. From the bottom of my heart THANKS. It’s a been a true pleasure and I’m proud to call you my friend!”
