House of the Dragon season 2 is almost over, and, as the bloody civil war between the Greens and the Blacks heats up, we can expect plenty more fireworks still to come.
The biggest change from season 1 has been the brand new opening credits first seen in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1. While season 1 featured that Targaryen blood running down a stone family tree, the new opening sequence is a tapestry of significant moments in the dragon-riding family's history. But just what does it all mean?
Below, we've broken down the references to Targaryen history in the House of the Dragon season 2 new opening credits. There are spoilers up to episode 4, so tread carefully if you're not up to date!
House of the Dragon season 2 new opening credits explained
One of the first images we see in the new opening credits appears to be the Doom of Valyria – an apocalyptic event which completely destroyed the capital city of Old Valyria and, soon after that, the entire Valyrian peninsula. This also essentially erased Valyria, too, by destroying all record of its history, magic, and culture. All of Valyria's dragons were also wiped out. Basically, imagine Ancient Rome fell spectacularly in one day and left almost no trace behind.
Multiple volcanic eruptions caused the Doom, though whether these occurred naturally or were triggered by magic is a mystery.
the doom of valyria // the burning of harrenhal // the death of maegor the cruel // king jaehaerys and queen alysanne #houseofthedragon pic.twitter.com/wXT6LF21XoJune 17, 2024
But, since the Targaryens had already relocated to Dragonstone at this point, this Valyrian bloodline survived the Doom – and so did their dragons. After the Doom of Valyria is depicted on the tapestry, we see three dragon riders laying waste to their enemies: Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters/wives Visenya and Rhaenys (no, not the same Rhaenys who's played by Eve Best in House of the Dragon). We see two dragons destroying a castle of some kind, which seems to be an event known as the Field of Fire: this is the only battle in Aegon's conquest in which all three dragons participated.
After this image, we see a Targaryen king dead on the throne. This is Maegor the Cruel, a tyrannical ruler who was indeed found dead on the Iron Throne, with conflicting stories about how he might have ended up that way.
Then, we see King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne, parents of King Viserys. The next image is of the Great Council that opened House of the Dragon season 1, which decided Viserys should be Jaehaerys's heir (and not Rhaenys).
Beyond that, we're shown a figure in a green dress, which appears to be Alicent Hightower's grand entrance at Rhaenyra's wedding to Laenor Velaryon. The tapestry then shows both Aegon II and Rhaenyra crowned as rulers, then Lucerys's death at the hands (and jaws) of Aemond and Vhagar, bringing us up to date with the show so far.
As season 2 has continued, the tapestry has been updated with more major events. It now includes the grisly Blood and Cheese, with young Jaehaerys's funeral procession and the hanging of the rat catchers. There's also the brutal battle of Rook's Rest, represented by a red dragon (Meleys), a gold dragon (Sunfyre), a blood-soaked battlefield, and a white haired figure (Rhaenys) standing with a sword drawn as she faces a green dragon (Vhagar) above.
House of the Dragon continues weekly on Sky and NOW in the UK and HBO in the US. For even more on the show, check out our pieces on:
- House of the Dragon season 2, episodes 1-4 review
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner on why Blood and Cheese is nothing like Game of Thrones' Red Wedding
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner doesn't feel the pressure of following the controversial Game of Thrones season 8: "Our challenge comes from within"
- House of the Dragon showrunner teases season 3: "You don't want to end up in that place where you're doing the same thing again and again"
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner breaks down the complicated relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra: "Conflict is the order of the day"
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner says Rhaenyra and Alicent's bond is still the heart of the show: "We understand that these two women are connected"
- Hugh Hammer explained
- The House of the Dragon dragons, listed and explained
- Greens vs. Blacks, explained
- The White Worm, explained
- The Targaryen family tree
- The House of the Dragon timeline
- Who wins the Dance of the Dragons?
- The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy
