‘Game Of Thrones’ Season 4 Spoilers: Tyrion’s Champion And Trial By Combat Verdict Revealed

Even though Season 4 has veered drastically from George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, we still have spoilers left up our sleeves. While the specific details of Tyrion’s trial by combat may be changed by “Game of Thrones” show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the overall outcome will most likely be the same and is sure to shock audiences.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Season 4 of “Game of Thrones.” If you do not want to know what will occur in forthcoming episodes do not read any further.

At the end of Tyrion’s trial, which admittedly was a “farce,” the clever Lannister realized that no matter what he said, the trial was fixed. Truth and justice were nowhere on the horizon, mainly due to the successful scheming of his sister, Cersei. Much to Tywin Lannister’s dismay Tyrion begins to venomously dispute the murder charges against him, and instead of confessing, accusses his father and all of King’s Landing for trying him for his dwarfism, a condition that incites as much jeer in Westeros, as it does revulsion.

The wrongly accused uncle of the King is in fact innocent, something that he incessantly states to not only the judges but all of the Red Keep, however they seem numb to the truth and instead take orders from Cersei, the grieving Queen regent, who has very obviously fixed the trial. Because of this, Tyrion stares down his father Tywin, who is very aptly seated in the Iron Throne, and demands a trial by combat.

The entire room erupts in chaos, and very particular characters were then featured reacting to Tyrion’s demand. One of these characters was Oberyn Martell, who will end up volunteering to be Tyrion’s champion despite his seat as a judge. Tyrion will first ask his seemingly loyal sellsword Bronn to be his champion, however he declines, for two reasons, one Cersei pays him generously. And secondly “the Crown,” who accuses Tyrion, chooses their champion, and it is none other than The Mountain. Bronn fears he will lose in the trial by combat against The Mountain, and then he and Tyron both will lose their heads. Despite Tyrion’s initial disappointment when Bronn turns his crimson cloak, a new and even more fortified champion presents himself. Oberyn Martell has made his desire for vengeance well known, so when an opportunity to fight The Mountain is presented, the Red Viper cannot hold back.

Oberyn is the brother of Elia Martell who married the crown price, Rhaeger Targaryen. During the sack of King’s Landing, led by Lannister forces, Elia was brutally raped and murdered at the hands of the notable Lannister bannerman, Ser Gregor Clegane, who is also known as "The Mountain." In addition to the brutal death of Elia, Tywin Lannister, in an attempt to ensure Lannister loyalty with the new King, Robert Baratheon, ordered the deaths of Rhaegar and Elia's young children, Rhaenys and Aegon.

The Red Viper will take his desire for vengeance to the trial by combat and engage in a vicious fight with The Mountain. The Mountain has a huge physical advantage over the Red Viper, despite this Oberyn manages to wound and cripple the massive knight by finding openings in his armor and severing his hamstring with his infamous spear.

Oberyn prolongs the battle, and engages in a new "trial," he assumes the Mountains death to be imminent and attempts to make The Mountain confess to the murder of his sister, and her childern. Clegane begins to overpower the passionate and somewhat distracted Red Viper and manages to grab hold of him. The Mountain then punches his heavily armored fist into Oberyn’s face, killing him instantly. Oberyn’s death does come, but not without the vengeance he craved in life. True to his name, the Red Viper coated his spear in a special kind of poison, leaving The Mountain to die slowly and in tremendous agony, eventually avengaging his dear sister Elia, and her two young Targaryen children.