I would like to talk about the use of snake symbolism in The Mountain and how it relates to Murdoc.
My great interest is mythologies, cultural religions and the symbols associated with them.
And first of all, let me say that the snake symbolizes temptation (Bible), sexual attraction, reincarnation, or more precisely, the process of death and birth itself, and many others because it is a very universal symbol.
And why did I specify the symbol of reincarnation? Because in Indian beliefs (e.g., mythology), the snake is a symbol of death, but it sheds its skin, symbolizing rebirth. Meanwhile, the symbol of the immortal soul is the peacock, which fights the snake.
In that infamous snake scene, the snake could symbolize Murdoc's pact with Satan, but also his abandonment of his old lifestyle in favor of rebirth—improvement of behavior, understanding of sins, and so on (in Murdoc's case, of course). It could also signify his acceptance of the idea itself. He already knows he can change if he puts in the effort.
At 2:17 of "The Mountain" itself, we see Murdoc clutching or holding a dead or unconscious snake, most likely an Indian cobra, in his right hand. This may suggest that he has previously been given opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation, but has either squandered them or failed to take advantage of them. The cobra may also symbolize "grounding," a silent threat.
At 3:32 of the video, when 2D stands in front of a stall and a figure referred to as a Guru offers him snake oil, 2D decides to buy it, but he doesn't have the money. This may mean they can no longer afford quick fixes or "half-measures," and they must embark on a journey into the mountains to immerse themselves in a river.
I'd like to mention the actual act of jumping into the water. According to Indian beliefs, the Ganges River symbolizes rebirth. This is connected to early funeral rituals, in which the bodies of the deceased were thrown into the river as the final part of the ritual. But don't worry, this doesn't mean the end of "Gorilaz." Immersion in this river is also supposed to cleanse one of sins. The process of reincarnation in Indian culture isn't inherently evil; it's associated with the great destruction of the world, after which the Earth is supposed to be reborn as beautiful and pure as it was in the beginning. Their rebirth (the rebirth of "Gorilaz") is not related to death, but to the understanding of past mistakes and a change of attitude towards the future.
That's all, I apologize for any language errors or inaccuracies, English is not my first language and if I forgot something, I will most likely write it under this post.
I will be happy to answer any questions.