It is not every day that a television show leaves viewers with their heads in their hands, staring blankly at the screen and questioning their sanity. However, when a major character dies suddenly and brutally, there is little one can do to prepare. On Monday, fans of Euphoria experienced a similar feeling after Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi, suffered one of the most gruesome deaths to date. Deep in debt to Naz, portrayed by Jack Topalian, the construction business owner is buried alive and bitten by a venomous rattlesnake that slithers through the coffin's air hole.
In a series already marred by controversies, after fans claimed creator Sam Levinson needed to be locked up following a disturbing fetish scene, Nate's death was hailed by viewers for its devastating impact. However, Nate's unfortunate demise pales in comparison to the most shocking tragedy of all time in a fellow HBO series.
Game of Thrones: A Legacy of Shocking Deaths
Across its eight seasons, Game of Thrones saw its fair share of major characters vanish in gruesome ways. From the infamous Red Wedding to Ned Stark's beheading and Hodor's sacrifice, the series is unmatched in its willingness to kill off cast members. But one death remains permanently seared into the memory of fans: Prince Oberyn Martell, played by Pedro Pascal.
Pascal, known for his role in The Fantastic Four, is no stranger to being killed off in a series, following his death as Joel in the second season of The Last of Us. However, Oberyn's gruesome battle against Ser Gregor Clegane, also known as The Mountain and played by Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, takes the cake.
The Battle That Broke Hearts
Fighting on behalf of Tyrion Lannister, portrayed by Peter Dinklage, as part of a trial by combat, Oberyn dominates The Mountain with a poisoned spear before demanding a confession that he raped and killed his sister, Elia Martell, and her children. However, after losing focus for a split second, Clegane manages to grab him, knocking out his teeth and gouging his eyes out before crushing his skull with his bare hands. Straddling him, he screams: "I smashed her head in like this!"
As the final credits rolled without the signature Game of Thrones music to accompany them, it is hard to recall a more shocking episode of television. Having adored Oberyn and desperately wanting him to exact revenge on The Mountain, this was just one of numerous frustratingly devastating moments in the series. But even now, his death hurts more than any other.
Euphoria and Game of Thrones are available to watch on Sky Atlantic.
