Game of Thrones is normally one to employ its most gruesome and spectacular visuals in moderation, a point well-embodied by The Mountain’s undead (but heavily concealed) transformation. Season 6 offered a brief glimpse of the horror in shadow, but gaze for yourself into Ser Gregor Clegane’s putrid new visage.

Where the Game of Thrones Season 6 finale “The Winds of Winter” cryptically teased Cersei setting The Mountain loose on Septa Unella as revenge, we only saw the towering figure remove his helmet in deep shadow. Now, thanks to actor Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Clegane’s rotting facade is as clear (and horrifying) as day:

For reference, here’s a heavily brightened screencap from the finale:

Mind you, there’s every chance showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss wanted only to showcase a small glimpse in silhouette, perhaps reserving an even more gruesome makeup job (with added CG) in future seasons. It stands to reason we might return to Unella’s captivity under The Mountain, as Emmy-nominee Lena Headey previously told Entertainment Weekly of the finale confrontation:

It’s so filthy. It’s so great. Everybody’s witnessed what happened with [Cersei and Septa Unella]. I don’t think people will be able to help going, “Yes!” But it’s so depraved, it’s brilliant. The scene was meant to be worse, but they couldn’t do it. This is like the tame version. It’s pretty bad still though. I’d take being exploded in the Sept over that any day.

We’ll surely see The Mountain by Queen Cersei’s side in Season 7, whenever that starts filming, but was director Miguel Sapochnik right to keep his zombie face in shadow?

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