The Epic Rivalry Unveiled: Delving into The Hound and the Mountain's Relationship in Game of Thrones

HBO's Game of Thrones features a cast of compelling characters, such as Jon Snow, Ned Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, Arya Stark, Tyrian, Jamie, and Cersei Lannister. Among them, Sandor Clegane, known as The Hound, and Gregor Clegane, known as The Mountain, stand out for their immense physical strength, brutal nature, and twisted sense of humor.

Although renowned as two of the most formidable warriors in Westeros, The Hound and The Mountain share a complex sibling relationship marred by deep-seated animosity and a troubled past. The enduring presence of their rivalry throughout the series serves as a testament to the profound impact these characters have and the paths they choose to tread.

Who were the Hound and the Mountain?

The Hound and The Mountain, brothers who have always harbored animosity towards each other, particularly due to their relentless ambition to be the most formidable and merciless warrior in Westeros. Both pledged their allegiance to House Lannister, with Sandor serving as the personal bodyguard of King Joffrey Baratheon, while Gregor assumed the role of protector to Cersei Lannister within the Kingsguard. As notorious killers, it comes as no surprise that both Sandor and Gregor have accumulated numerous adversaries throughout their respective journeys. However, it is Sandor who undergoes the most significant transformation throughout the course of the show, unlike his brother, who remains steadfast in his malevolence.

A towering figure, standing at nearly eight feet tall and weighing over four-hundred pounds, Gregor formerly served under Cersei's father, Tywin, prior to her ascension as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms in King's Landing. Gregor has earned a reputation for committing atrocious acts of war on behalf of the Lannisters, which encompass acts of extreme violence, rape, and murder. One of Gregor's most prominent foes, apart from Sandor, is Oberyn Martell, compellingly portrayed by Pedro Pascal. This enmity stems from The Mountain's vile acts of raping and murdering Oberyn's sister, Elia, as well as her children. Oberyn nearly succeeds in defeating Gregor in a trial by combat, yet ultimately falls victim to The Mountain's brute force, as his teeth are knocked out, and his skull is brutally crushed. However, it is noteworthy that Gregor's physical appearance undergoes a transformation following his poisoning by Oberyn's deadly spear.

Why did the Hound and the Mountain hate each other?

Despite undergoing physical transformations, Gregor remained loyal to Queen Cersei, carrying out her commands, including the beheading of Daenerys' personal assistant, Missandei, in the final season. Sandor, on the other hand, served King Joffrey and fought in numerous battles, but he strongly disapproved of the mistreatment of his bride, Sansa Stark. Following the devastating loss of his men in the Battle of the Blackwater against Stannis Baratheon, The Hound grew disgusted with Joffrey's incompetent leadership and abandoned King's Landing. Embarking on his own path, Sandor engaged in fierce confrontations with old and new adversaries, including the epic battle against the White Walkers. Throughout his journey, he managed to forge alliances, one of which was with Arya Stark. Initially harboring animosity towards Sandor for his role in the killing of her friend Mycah, a butcher's boy, Arya gradually developed respect for him as they both navigated their respective paths.

The animosity between the siblings can be attributed to their excessively aggressive and easily offended dispositions, as both have a disturbing track record of engaging in acts of violence and brutality towards each other and those in their vicinity. The Hound possesses a sardonic sense of humor, characterized by his coarse voice and use of profanity, whereas The Mountain seldom speaks, emanating an uncouth demeanor and an overall unpleasant persona.

What happened to the Hound and the Mountain?

In the penultimate episode of season eight, aptly titled "The Bells," the long-awaited showdown between the Clegane brothers, known as the Cleganebowl, finally takes place. As Daenerys unleashes her mighty dragons to capture the Iron Throne and avenge Missandei's tragic demise, Arya sets out to eliminate Cersei, while The Hound seeks his long-standing nemesis. In a moment of unexpected tenderness, Sandor assumes the role of a father figure for Arya, urging her to abandon her vengeful mission and embrace a future filled with life and hope. Expressing her gratitude to Sandor, Arya addresses him by his name, a rarity in their relationship, as they bid farewell and embark on their individual paths.

Once Sandor comes face to face with Gregor, The Mountain abandons his post to protect Cersei for the first time. The two brothers engage in a savage sword fight amidst the burning King's Landing. Although Gregor is still the stronger and more powerful fighter, The Hound manages to land punches, slices, and stabs on The Mountain repeatedly. Gregor nearly succeeds in gouging Sandor's eyes until The Hound thrusts a knife through his brother's face. Understanding that the only way to vanquish Gregor is by sacrificing himself, Sandor hurls his sibling off the castle, leading them both to their demise in a blazing inferno.

Despite Gregor's physical transformation, he remains a merciless killer, while Sandor acknowledges that he alone possesses the ability to defeat his malevolent brother. The Hound also realizes that it is necessary for him to lay down his life in order to complete his journey of vengeance and redemption.