We have visited the realm where Robert’s Rebellion began, and the possibility of Wylis without a Hodor. Today, we discuss the various repercussions of one of the most horrific one on one battles in Game of Thrones history. That can only mean “The Mountain vs. The Viper.” This is the episode I inevitably will warn new GOT watchers to be prepared for. It is not for faint of heart. As loyal fans of the show, we know the history involved but for those who don’t, let’s turn the page back to explain the events.
The History:
During Robert’s Rebellion, the Lannister forces were allied with the Baratheon army (for their own purposes most likely and despite the fact the Tywin Lannister was once hand of the King). When the rebel forces invaded Kings Landing, Lannister forces were among the first to assault the capital. First among those soldiers was “The Mountain who Rides,” Ser Gregor Clegane. During the sack of the city, Clegane searched out the family of crown prince Rhaegar Targaryen: Elia Martell Targaryen and her children Rhaenys and Aegon. He mercilessly raped and killed Elia and slaughtered her young offspring. The cruel irony of this event is that Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen was the one who had knighted “The Mountain.” This event enraged House Martell who wanted revenge against the Mountain and believed that Tywin Lannister was responsible for giving the order to kill them.
Fast forward to Season 4 of Game of Thrones. Tyrian Lannister is standing trial for the poisoning death of King Joffrey. Tyrian realized that he would get no fair trial in this situation. The last straw was when the the woman he loved, testified and lied against him. This broke his heart although he knew he had hurt her by previously sending her away. He thought he was trying to protect her but she saw it as a dismissal because she was a “whore.” Driven to the realization that the outcome was preordained, Tyrian demanded trial by combat.
Enter Oberon Martell. Prince of House Martell and brother of Elia Martell. He came to Kings Landing under the pretense of Joffrey’s Royal Wedding but in fact, he came because it brought him close to those he wanted answers from: Tywin Lannister and Gregor Clegane. The trial by combat gave him the opportunity to confront them both while gaining revenge on the man who committed the deed. He told Tyrian he would be his champion. When the trial commenced, he battled well against the larger but slower Mountain. He used his poison tipped spear to inflict seemingly fatal wounds on the large knight, leaving him laying on the ground with the spear stuck in him. However, in his haste to also get a confession out of the monster, he made the mistake of pulling the poison spear out. He compounded this mistake by getting too close to the proven killer. Clegane swept Oberon’s legs and moving quickly for a man of his immense size, immediately struck him hard across the jaw scattering teeth from the force of the blow. He then continued the assault by using his thumbs to gouge 
out Oberon’s eyes. Then, to add insult to massive injury, he confessed to his crimes and then crushed Oberons skull between his massive hands before collapsing under the weight of his wounds.
That sent into motion a number of different events. By losing the trial by combat, Tyrian was sentenced to die. His brother Jaime decided to free Tyrian before letting that happen. Before escaping, Tyrian snuck into his fathers quarters and found his former lover “Shae” in his father’s bed. He fought with her, eventually strangling her with her own gold chain and then, in a cloud of betrayal and anger, killed his father with a crossbow. That chain of events set off by a single result of combat. What if the trial by combat ended differently? What if the Viper defeated the Mountain and lived? Let us run this scenario under the microscope of possibilities and see what might have happened.
In this new tale, Oberon played it smarter. Once he had driven his poisoned spear deep into the Mountain, he kept his distance. He still asked for the confession from the Mountain but the snake venom laced spear was doing its job, even on the monstrous knight. In fact, another effect of the poison was it served as a form of truth serum. (While not true and completely made up, it would be another reason for Clegane to confess other than the “I’m going to kill your ass so I might as well confess while I’m doing it). While Oberon paced the fallen Gregor, he slowly, hauntingly, confessed his crime, giving Oberon some satisfaction. He did not name Tywin but as the Lannister’s “mad dog,” it is fairly obvious who gave the order. Elia and her children’s spirits rest a little easier but his work is not done.
With the Mountain’s defeat, Tyrian is set free. He still maintains a grudge against his father who was so willing to let him die for a crime he knew Tyrian did not commit. He also was still wounded that Shae betrayed him. But he is free, and he still has his intelligence and his head. He know he will have to leave this place…for now. He will get his revenge…on his father, on Shae, and all who were willing to let him die. Nothing as subtle as a bolt through the chest, or personal as strangling her with the Gold Chains he helped provide her. Perhaps his Dornish friends have some of that poison lipstick he had read about. He has time, it is now the one thing he is not short of. (I’m sorry, I had to do it)
So, how do YOU think things might have ended up had Oberon only not let the Mountain get his hands on him and give him a permanent dental and facial massage? As in previous tales, this YOUR chance to write the history. Let us at GVNation know what you think. And don’t forget to check out all of our writers great Game of Thrones content.
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.
