His Watch Has Ended: Sandor Clegane

Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane.

Game of Thrones has entered its final season and that means it’s time to take stock of the show as a whole. But rather than do a set of episode reviews, we decided to take a little inspiration from the books for our post-mortem. George R.R. Martin’s still unfinished series features chapters based on the point of view of its characters, so each of these posts will review their individual journeys in the show as they come to their end, whether peacefully or violently - this is Thrones, after all.

We’ll ask the same set of questions for each character, reflect on where they came from, where the events of the series took them, and where we leave them. How effective was the show’s approach to the character, and is their ending satisfying? What purpose did each character serve throughout the series?

If it isn’t already obvious, this is MEGA-SPOILER territory, so beware if you’re not fully caught up on the show.

Also check out:
Melisandre
Theon Greyjoy
Lyanna Mormont
Jorah Mormont
Jamie Lannister
Missandei

Sandor Clegane

Where Did He Come From?

One of two brothers from House Clegane in the show, Sandor was nicknamed “The Hound” and the personal bodyguard of Joffrey Baratheon. House Clegane is based in Casterly Rock, so naturally they have strong ties to the Lannisters. By the time we meet Sandor on the show, he’s already went through a traumatic past and known as one of the best fighters in Westeros.

Where Did the Show Take Him?

When we meet Sandor the first time, he is a part of Robert Baratheon’s guard. A towering man with a helmet shaped like the head of a hound, Sandor is also instantly recognizable by the burn scars on the right side of his face. He has his brother, Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane, to thank for that, who stuck Sandor’s face into a fire after he thought Sandor stole his toy when they were children. The incident sparked Sandor’s extreme fear of fire, which would be a recurring theme in his character arc. Sandor has vowed multiple times to kill his brother for the abuse he had suffered in his hands.

Sandor’s arc doesn’t really start until the end of Season 1, when he comes into focus as one of the show’s key characters and begins to shows compassion and empathy for Sansa. He deserts the Kingsguard during the Battle of the Blackwater after the wildfire stokes his greatest fear, and afterwards is captured by the Brotherhood Without Banners along with Arya Stark, laying the seeds for their (at times, troubled) friendship.

Sandor is released from the Brotherhood after winning a trial by combat against Beric Dondarrion, and takes Arya hostage and attempts to extract a ransom from Robb and Catelyn Stark at the Twins, where they witness the Red Wedding, and at the Vale, where they find out Arya’s aunt, Lysa Arryn, has died. Continuing their travels, Sandor and Arya bump into Brienne and Podrick; Sandor is wounded in an ensuing duel with Brienne, and he is left to die by Arya. He’s saved by Septon Ray and joins Beric and the Brotherhood Without Banners once again, finding new purpose in joining the fight against the White Walkers. He fights for Jon and Daenerys’ army for the Battle of Ice and Fire, but after the battle heads off to King’s Landing with Arya to have one final showdown against his hated brother.

Where Does His Story End?

Back where it began at King’s Landing, where he finally gets his revenge against the zombiefied Mountain, and both plummet to their death into the fiery rubble of the Red Keep.

Does The Character Redeem Himself?

Criticisms of inconsistent character traits/arcs in Seasons 7 and 8 are just, but Sandor has never wavered from his ultimate goal and also overcomes his fear of fire in the final duel. If there was any quality he had to prove, it was that he wasn’t as evil and selfish as he portrayed himself to be. His relationship with Arya is one of the most well-written aspects of the show. It was truly symbiotic, and in his last moments saved Arya – his one true kindred spirit – from certain death and accepted the fact that he was one of the good guys. 

Is Sandor’s Ending Satisfying?

Hell yeah! For a show that constantly subverted our expectations in the most shocking ways, it finally delivered on the much-hyped Cleganebowl. Both characters died, but Sandor ultimately triumphs because 1) he proves he’s a good guy to Arya, the only character he truly cared for, 2) gets his revenge, and 3) falls willingly into a blazing fire.

What Role Did This Character Player In The Overall Storytelling?

We could argue that Arya was always destined to be an assassin, no thanks to Melisandre’s prophecies, but his presence was instrumental to her growth as a character. He also saved Sansa numerous times and offers to help her escape in two separate incidents, though both times he’s rejected. He has no role in the politics of Westeros, but his impact on Arya’s growth and maturation reverberates throughout.

Best Moment On The Show

He has many, most of them moments in a love-hate relationship with Arya, including their last one when he saves her from herself, but his defining moment is certainly being triumphant in the Cleganebowl.