Adding to the surprises that came with the debut of House of the Dragon season 2, the premiere episode, titled A Son for a Son, confirmed that the show has another new opening titles sequence.
Season 1 of the Game of Thrones prequel featured an animated opener that channeled the stone model of Old Valyria owned by the now-late King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine). It served as a literal representation of the Targaryen bloodline. Streams of red ran through the streets of Valyria, connecting the sigils of key figures from Targaryen history.
Season 2’s opening titles sequence now takes a different approach to that history. The animation depicts a Bayeux-style tapestry weaving itself together, with the various panels depicting notable scenes from the past.
It begins in Old Valyria. As the tapestry constructs itself, with blood stains giving it pops of red, we see the Valyrians forging bonds with dragons. The mages of the land were said to work blood magic, which may explain one particular scene showing a man holding a dagger as another kneels before a dragon surrounded by candles.
The proceeding volcanic eruption marks the Doom of Valyria, in which every hill across the former home of the Targaryens simultaneously exploded in ash and flame, destroying humans and dragons alike. The tapestry continues to weave together scenes depicting Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, riding their dragons across the Narrow Sea to conquer and unify Westeros.
Dance of Dragons Beginning
The Great Council of Harrenhal is shown in this season’s opener, where King Jaehaerys Targaryen presides over naming Viserys as ruler.
Alicent and Rhaenyra at Odds
We see a depiction of Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy)—the two women credited for sparking this civil war that crippled the Targaryen empire—at opposite ends of a great feast.
Aegon II Crowned King
Another crucial moment is visualized when Aegon II Targaryen (Aegon II experiments with his new power
, Tom Glynn-Carney) is crowned king on the Iron Throne.
A Parallel Crowning Ceremony
Opposite Aegon’s coronation, we see Rhaenyra crowned queen out of Dragonstone. This dual coronation heightens tensions further in Westeros.
The Death That Shook Westeros
The final tapestry panel vividly renders Lucerys Velaryon’s death, who was tragically killed by Vhagar, ridden by Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) above Storm’s End.
The Cast Shines Bright
Daemon is mercurial, violent and ambitious
, a great warrior who Matt Smith breathes life into with his portrayal.
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