Bad Guys Gone Good: Our Favorite TV Villains Who Turned Over a New Leaf

Photo: HBO

The Hound – Game of Thrones

Sandor Clegane is presented as ruthless, brutal, killing machine who only acts as royal vehicle for mayhem. While all this might be true in any given instance, he is also capable of compassion and affection for those weaker than him. And let’s face it. Everybody is probably weaker than him.

When we first meet the Hound, he’s working as a flunky for the royal family and Joffrey’s bodyguard. Before we knew how dangerous and sinister Joffrey would turn out to be, we thought the Hound was just there to indulge his bratty outbursts. As we learn just how terrible Joffrey is, the Hound evolves into a buffer between him and his victims.

When Joffrey turned his wrath upon Sansa, the Hound was there to offer safety in the only ways he could. He also took Arya under his protection, as well. Even though she was plotting his murder the whole time, you could tell he was growing to love her in a paternal way.

His near-death experience with Brienne of Tarth put him on a different path than that of a soldier. He attempted a different path with Septon Ray, and he turned his attention to a more peaceful way of life.