Game Of Thrones: 10 Greatest Deaths (So Far)

Episode - 4x08, The Mountain and the Viper

When the Red Viper entered the scene in season 4, oozing charisma and possessing a dislike of traditional sexual values almost as intense as his loathing of Lannisters, it was a breath of fresh air for fans. After the third season had rather brutally snuffed out a major branch of the Stark family, Oberyn Martell’s grave intentions provided the promise of new hope that sweet justice would ultimately prevail.

As ever, Martin, Benioff and Weiss laugh at us. Oberyn’s potential defeat of the gargantuan Gregor Clegane in single combat would not only have removed a particularly cruel and evil villain from the show, but it would also have won the freedom of beloved fan-favourite Tyrion Lannister and turned the screws on Tyrion’s ruthless father Tywin.

Alas, the writers dangle Oberyn’s victory so close we can almost taste it, before sadistically leaving his skull squished like an overripe pumpkin; his brains, much like our tattered and abused dreams, a sticky mess on the floor. And no matter how many times you rewatch the duel and beg Oberyn to finish the job… he never does.