So where are we in our evolution of the Mountain? We have gone through versions 1.0 and 2.0 and next we get to the “Ultimate Mountain.” A man who embodies the brute strength and mentality of the Mountain as fans have expected since Conan Stevens filled the role in Season One. With the particulars out of the way, let us continue the epic tale of the Mountain:
In Season 4, Ser Gregor comes back to King’s Lansing when summoned by Cersei. He has been chosen by Cersei as her champion for Tyrion’s trial by combat for the charge of killing Cersei’s son, King Joffrey. In this battle he fights Oberyn Martell. If the last name sounds familiar, it should. Remember back in part 1 of this series when we explained about what the Mountain did to the Royal Family. (Go ahead and go back and read it again if you like, we’ll wait for you. All caught up? Good.) Oberyn agrees to be Tyrion’s champion because he wants to kill Clegane as revenge for the murder of his sister, Elia Martell Targaryen. During the battle, Oberyn inflicts multiple serious wounds on Clegane with his poisoned spear, but in his obsession to get Clegane to admit to his crimes against his sister and her children, he makes a fatal error. He pulls the poison spear out and by doing so, gets too close to the still breathing “Mountain.” He grabs Oberyn, knocking his teeth out of his mouth, gouging out his eyes and finally killing Oberyn by crushing his skull. (This scene isn’t for the faint of heart, kids). He did this while admitting that he did rape Elia, killed her children and enjoyed the whole thing. It was only then that he collapsed from his own injuries.
Grand Maester Pycelle later revealed that Clegane had been poisoned with manticore venom, which apparently Oberyn had laced his weapon with (a 
common Dornish technique in battle). He proclaims there is nothing to be done to save him. Refusing to accept this prognosis, Cersei enlists ex-maester Qyburn to intervene, over the protests of the Grand Maester. Qyburn claims he can likely save “The Mountain” but the procedure will most likely “change” Clegane. Cersei was willing to accept this possibility as long as he retained his freakish strength. The procedure was apparently a success, as Gregor became an member of the Kingsguard, now called Ser Robert Strong and serves as a personal zombie knight for Cersei. The procedure had some obvious drawbacks as it changed his physical appearance and his behavior. According to Qyburn, he also took a “holy vow of silence to last until all of Tommen’s enemies are dead and the evil has been driven from the realm..” Translation: The Giant Zombie can’t talk but he is still a killing machine.
During season 6, Gregor continues to act as Cersei’s bodyguard to intimidate all those who may bother or mock her. This included killing a local who bragged to his friends that he flashed his genitals to Cersei during her walk of atonement. He was later rewarded with his head being smashed into a wall. It also meant intimidating the “Faith Militant” who were given the unenviable task of trying to summon Cersei to see the “High Sparrow.” In attempting to take Cersei by force, one of the unfortunate members attempts to attack Gregor (or Strong…hard to keep your Mountain’s names straight), even sinking a forked blade into his chest plate. It was his last act as he is separated from his head…with the Mountain’s bare hands. Later, after Cersei destroys the Great Sept of Baelor and retakes power, she has Gregor torture Septa Unella in revenge for torturing her during her time in prison. We are spared seeing any of this but you get a glimpse of the Mountain without his helmet. The door closes as the the only thing you hear is the Septa Screaming and Cersei saying “shame” over and over again as it was said to her during her walk.
In season 7, Gregor is still with Cersei as a member of the Queensguard. He is briefly confronted by his brother Sandor “The Hound” Clegane in the season finale, where Sandor conveys an ominous message that he (Gregor) already knows who is coming for him and that he has always known.
This set the stage for “Clegane Bowl” the fans have been clamoring for. It was further stoked when Björnsson, when asked in an interview what his favorite scene playing the Mountain was. He cryptically answered it was in Season 8, but he couldn’t talk about it. Fans are taking this to mean the Clegane Bowl is ON! Now they only have to wait until 2019 to see it.
Coming next, the other side of this battle: Sandor Clegane, also known as “The Hound.” Have you enjoyed the “Game of Thrones Review” and the “Evolution of the Mountain Series?” If so, let us know at GVNation.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
