Game Of Thrones: 20 Most Shocking Moments Ever

6. The Mountain And The Viper

Game of Thrones HBO Oberyn Martell death
HBO

Prince Oberyn waltzed into Game of Thrones in Season 4, and almost immediately into our hearts as well. Few characters have made such an impact in such a short space of time, but that's a testament to Oberyn's charm, his charisma, his sex appeal, and the fact he's very much one of the good guys from our perspective.

It's a fist-pumping moment when he declares himself Tyrion's champion, but a worrying one too. How the hell can he possibly beat the Mountain, a being of such improbable proportions you have to see it to believe it?

After making us doubt that, though, the show decides to have Oberyn, well, win. The Mountain is defeated. It's job done. But Oberyn wants more than victory. He needs revenge. And so he circles and circles the Mountain, as you yell at the TV for him to just finish the job. And then, too late: his legs are swiped, his head is crushed. Oberyn's star burned bright and far too fast, before being completely obliterated in the most gruesome fashion possible.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.