HOUSE OF THE DRAGON's Opening Credits Feature GAME OF THRONES' Theme Tune; Episode 3 Preview Released

The first episode of House of the Dragon didn't feature an opening theme as the series instead opened with a title card better explaining how this prequel connects to Game of Thrones. However, last night's second chapter brought that show's theme back, opting to use it for this series as well (albeit with a brand new animated sequence). 

This score was, of course, composed by Ramin Djawadi, and it became a staple of Game of Thrones. Subtle changes would often be made to the opening credits to tease what was playing out in each respective season, though it is a little surprising that the music is being re-used here.

The premiere was a huge ratings hit, of course, prompting HBO to renew House of the Dragon for a second season after just one episode had aired. Finding any way to connect the show to Game of Thrones is a smart move, and there have already been hints in the show that what we see play out here will inform what ultimately played out in that show. 

In House of the Dragon's inspired opening sequence (which you can watch below along with an episode 3 sneak peek), we see blood rise from various symbols that appear to represent different members of the Targaryen family. It's similar to the model stone city of Old Valyria that King Viserys has in the show, and various crimson rivers eventually converge to become the House Targaryen symbol.

Based on George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, the series, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen.

The series debuted this past Sunday, August 21, to the largest audience for any new original series in HBO history. The first episode has now been seen by over 20 million viewers across linear, On Demand and HBO Max platforms in the U.S., based on a combination of Nielsen data and first-party data.

What do you think about House of the Dragon's new opening credits?