“Game of Thrones” was such a big deal for Pedro Pascal at that point in his career because he played a fan-favorite character. Debuting on the show’s 4th season, Oberyn Martell is a member of the Dornish royal family who travels to King’s Landing with his lover, Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma). Though the two are initially there to represent the kingdom of Dorne at the wedding of Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) and Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer), Oberyn ultimately serves a larger narrative purpose.
When Joffrey dies at his wedding, his uncle, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), is immediately accused of poisoning the young king. Oberyn, who’s formed a friendship with Tyrion, agrees to represent him in trial by combat and win his innocence. Unfortunately for Oberyn, Tyrion’s opponent (and Joffrey’s mother), Cersei Lannister, chooses Ser Gregor Clegane (Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson), aka The Mountain, as her champion. Oberyn nearly defeats the massive man, but he gets a little too confident and is killed in the most gruesome way possible; Ellaria and Tyrion watch in abject horror as The Mountain squeezes Oberyn’s head until it explodes. Oberyn only lasts one season but makes a memorable mark on “Game of Thrones.”
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