10 Most Terrifying Moments In Game Of Thrones
6. The Mountain Crushes Prince Oberyn’s Head (Season 4, Episode 8)
In Season 4, Tyrion is wrongly accused of murdering Joffrey and put on trial. After being mocked by the courtroom and betrayed by his lover Shae, Tyrion demands a trial by combat. Oberyn Martell volunteers to fight for Tyrion, intending to kill the Mountain and avenge his sister Elia.
For the majority of the fight, Oberyn has the upper hand. He manoeuvres around his foe and manages to stab the Mountain several times with his poisoned blade. But Oberyn’s overconfidence has fatal consequences. After tripping his opponent, the Mountain knocks out Oberyn’s teeth and crushes his skull.
It’s a sickening sight and one of the most gruesome deaths in the show. But leaving aside the gore, the shock factor is also key here. The scene deliberately lulls you into a false sense of security: one moment, Oberyn is standing over his fallen enemy, and the next, he’s yelling in agony as the Mountain’s fingers plunge into his eyeballs.
Ellaria’s scream of terror sums up this moment perfectly. It’s a horrific end for a beloved character that’s shocking and tragic in equal measure.