The Impact of Beric Slaying The Mountain and His Men

The world of A Song of Ice and Fire and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones, is fraught with complex and intertwining plot lines. One of the pivotal characters in this series is Gregor Clegane, also known as The Mountain. If Beric the Black were to succeed in killing Gregor and his men, it would undoubtedly reshape the course of the story, particularly impacting the Dornish plot and Tywin Lannister's storyline.

The Dornish Plot and the Lannister Manoeuvre

The loss of The Mountain would not be a catastrophic blow to the Lannisters. While The Mountain served as a powerful and fearsome figure who could be used for intimidation, his removal would not significantly alter the overall power dynamics. The Lannisters would merely find a replacement, much as they did with The Ghost of Harrenhal. However, the real shift would be in the Dornish plot.

One of the key elements in the Dornish plot is Oberyn Martell, who offers himself as Tyrion Lannister's champion due to The Mountain's physical prowess. If Beric were to kill The Mountain, there would be no need for Oberyn to step forward as a champion. This would drastically change the fate of Oberyn, as his death would not be necessary.

The Aftermath of Oberyn's Survival

With Oberyn alive, both the show's Dorne plot and Tyrion's storyline would be dramatically altered. Oberyn would no longer die in the trial by combat, ensuring Myrcella and Trystane Dornish survive and are successfully reintegrated into the Lannister family. This integration could lead to a more stable political situation in Westeros, as the Dornish might be less inclined to challenge the Lannisters if their children are safe and close to power.

The survival of Oberyn might also influence the outcome of the Faith's war. If Jaime Lannister were not in Dorne and Bronn were dead, Jaime would be in a position to advise Cersei Lannister against her religious crusade or to call in the Lannister army to quell the Faith Militant uprising. Jaime's presence in the capital could either prevent Faith's mobilization or lead to a swift resolution, securing the stability of the crown.

Mounsel's Escape and the Trial by Combat

The inevitability of Tyrion's escape from the trial by combat would also be affected. If Strongboar or Loras Tyrell were to take up the crown's champion role, the fight might still be intense, but Tyrion would be more secure in his survival. If Strongboar were the champion, his surprising strength might even lead to a memorable scene where he defeats Bronn with a swift disemboweling. This scenario could provide a significant emotional payoff for Tyrion's character arc, ensuring his safe escape or an escape that would be more plausible.

Alternative Outcomes and Westeros' Balance

Another potential outcome is that Tommen might take his own life, with Myrcella ascending the throne as Queen of Westeros. In this case, the support from both Dorne and the Westerlands would help stabilize the crown, and Myrcella would likely be more amenable to the Lannister's rule than Cersei was, potentially leading to a more collaborative and cooperative government. The military presence from both regions would bolster the crown's forces, ensuring a better outcome in the war against the Other.

Lastly, if Beric had killed The Mountain, Daenerys Targaryen would remain the dominant force in Essos, with Jorah and Tyrion alive. This would prevent the fall of the Wall, ensuring the continued protection of the North and the rest of Westeros from any threats from beyond the Wall.

In conclusion, the death of The Mountain at Beric's hands would reverberate through the series, impacting not only the immediate storyline but also the long-term stability and power dynamics of Westeros. The survival of key characters and the realignment of alliances could lead to a more balanced and stable political landscape in the Seven Kingdoms.