Yes.
He killed three people in the “Fuck the King” tavern brawl, which he started. He didn’t kill that farmer in the Riverlands, but he beat him and stole the last of his money, so that guy’s pretty well fucked.
Once it was clear they recognized him in the tavern, I think it was self-defense.
Though when dealing with despicable killers like the men that work for the Mountain, perhaps a stranger killing them in their sleep could be considered self-defense 
Morality in such a world would be rather weird… considering any armed stranger you see might be planning to kill you, in many circumstances I’m not sure if it would be ‘wrong’ to strike first and ask questions later.
Question: The Wildings live north of The Wall, right? They are trying to get south of The Wall in order to evade the oncoming winter and the WWs, right? So, how did Stanis get north of The Wall to fight them?
I don’t accept your “not being ordered to do it” limitation. You don’t take that job or keep it unless it’s in your character to do it. If your job title is "murderous thug for the Lannisters " and you do such a good job at it for so long, quitting only when asked to run towards fire, then you don’t get let off the hook for it.
He took ships from Braavos and (presumably) landed on the east coast of the North, north of the wall. Then they rode to Castle Black from the north side of the wall.
He bought a bunch of big ships with the money he borrowed. There was a scene in which the Onion Knight rounded up Sallador Saan and his smugglers.
OK, thanks. I didn’t realize that could be done, but I guess it makes sense.
No, the show presents it as being a merciful act in the view of the Hound, who is mot a reliable narrator, being that his experience has given him an extreme view of life.
That doesn’t require us to believe that that’s what Arya believes is merciful. The show doesn’t ask is to surrender our sense if morality or what is right so that we can agree with the characters.
The Hound doesn’t give his speech about mercy to tell us that WE should agree that this this mercy, but to show us something about him.
Not at all. Polliver was quite friendly and invited the Hound to join them in raping and pillaging the countryside. They were horrible people and won’t be missed by anyone, but they weren’t a threat to them at that point. The Hound just loathed them and what they stood for.
I took it as Polliver trying to trick the Hound… from my memory of the scene, it was clear to both Polliver and the Hound that as soon as he was recognized, a fight was inevitable.
Why would Polliver have wanted a fight? There was no bounty on Sandor at that point. In fact the fight helped make that happen.
Stannis wasn’t south of the wall, Stannis was in Braavos. I imagine he simply landed on that side.
I thought there was already a bounty, but it was increased by Tywin. And Polliver had several friends present. Plus, Polliver is surely aware of the hatred between the two brothers (the Hound didn’t exactly hide his feelings), and I imagine he thinks the Mountain would be pleased if they brought him in.
As tough as the Hound is, I’m pretty sure he’s not dumb enough to start a 1 on 5 (or however many) fight just because he doesn’t like the guys.
When he and Arya were outside, it was Arya that wanted to go in once they saw the Mountain’s men – the Hound wanted to stay outside. I think he knew as soon as he went in that there would be a fight.
I clearly got the impression that Arya has the same belief, and just did not think The Hound deserved mercy. What if we assume that this is the case, how do you feel about Arya’s act then?
The people in the tavern deserved to die. Arya agreed on that point. Regarding the farmer he would be dead anyway.
Just watched the scene again.
On second look, I’ll revise my opinion. The Hound didn’t want to go into the tavern, but once Arya went in he was resigned (and ready) for a fight. And once the Hound showed hostility to Polliver, Polliver knew the fight was coming too – he looks back to make sure his men are ready. So I don’t think the Hound was really looking for a fight, because he didn’t want to go into the tavern at all once he saw men he recognized, but he knew it was going to happen once Arya went inside.
Whether this is so or not, beating up a poor farmer and stealing his only money is a pretty rotten thing to do. If he had stayed on to work and protect the farm as the farmer offered, the farmer and his daughter would probably survive as long as he was there.
Sorry, I wasn’t clear enough.
By “never returning to your old body” I really meant never, that is letting it die and living permanently in a different body.
In a human body (as opposed to a wolf or hawk body) you possibly wouldn’t forget your humanity.
Of course this is all idle speculation, we don’t know , whether the soul can live on without the original body, or whether they are somehow linked, what a long-term ride in a different human would mean for the warg, etc.
Yes, things change after the Hound says “Fuck the King” and rejects what Polliver is offering. But up to that point Polliver is being friendly (in his horrible way) and not trying to trap him or anything. He thinks he’s dealing with a fellow brigand.
Yes, they did. They were horrible people. But it wasn’t self-defense and he wasn’t ordered to do it. The Hound provoked the fight because he didn’t like them.
Of course she did! She sneaked into the tavern to kill Polliver, which set the whole thing in motion.
You realize you’re taking the word of the man who attacked the farmer and stole all his money, right?