You can't show a typical tv torture scene of a guy getting beat up and whipped a few times, and then make the leap to Theon's mental breakdown in ADWD. Which is 2 to 3 seasons away at minimum. And a "messed up dude" doesn't even begin to describe someone who in many ways is worse than Vargo, Rorge, Joffrey, or Qyburn. The mystery of Ramsey is a big part of ACoK, it has simply been moved into this season, alongside Theon's ordeal. The revelations that he burned Winterfell instead of the Ironborn, why he wants Bran & Rickon, and what he does to his captives, will be a big deal to non book readers. Read the other thread. Only after last night's episode are people starting to piece it together. Most still don't know, or wouldn't without the help of random people posting wink wink nudge nudge teasing comments. You're letting hindsight blind you. If they're going to show Theon as a mewling, broken, subservient coward, that means fingers, toes, teeth, and genitals have to go.