Game Of Thrones: 10 Book Characters Who Are Far Better On-Screen
2. Theon Greyjoy
Theon Greyjoy is one of the most fascinating characters of The Song of Ice and Fire series, and that is because he is perhaps one of the most complex. He does horrible things, but he does them for reasons we all can relate to in some way. In a world where family and blood mean everything, Theon is a character pulled in two directions by two families who won't accept him. Westeros is an unrelenting world; is it at all surprising he went to such lengths he did to reclaim his identity? All that being said, in the books, Theon starts out as a pretty obnoxious, narcissistic blowhard. The reader is able to experience his thoughts and feelings, and for the most part they are unpleasant. At no point is it ever apparent that Theon has any reservations about betraying Robb Stark, and this is where the show really goes far and beyond in improving the character. In the show, Theon and Robb appear to be genuine friends Theon thinks of him as a brother, which makes the predicament he is placed in by his family all the more difficult. By far one of the best invented scenes of his is a simple one: Theon burning his letter to Robb. In one scene, and without any dialogue, we see the hard choice he is being forced to consider. The fact that he even wrote the letter shows how strong his bond is to Robb, and what the consequences of breaking that bond mean to him. In one scene, Theon is given more subtly and nuance than he has in the books, at least initially. None of this would be possible, however, without Alfie Allen's show-stealing performance. Season two is considered by many to be the season of Theon, and it is difficult to argue otherwise. He does such a good job of making the audience hate and sympathise with him simultaneously. You can see a good person underneath the foolish decision making, and you want to yell at him to stop; to turn and head back to Robb. Yet you can't tear your eyes away as he does one horrible thing after another. It is drama at its finest.
