CORRECTION: People have figured out that the first icon is Meraxes with a bolt through her eye, which is how Rhaenys and her dragon died. Good catch! Didn't say in the video, but while I liked the new opening, I did feel it was a little dark/hard to make out a lot things where the original was very clear and concise. I'm not sure it communicates as much important information as the original opening does, though it is incredibly creative! ~ Tim

I feel it’s very fitting to make it the Targaryen family tree instead of a map because the focus of the series is mainly on the conflict within one family rather than with various characters all over the world. ( I also find it fitting that Rhaenyra’s symbol is something that Daemon got her as he is someone very important to her story)

As nice as this intro is, I think if those little sigils ignited when the blood reached them, it would work better thematically, since House Targaryen’s words are Fire and Blood. Maybe they'll do that in later seasons once the dance of the dragon truly starts, but it would've been good to see them ignite here, at least with embers, to one better see the insignia, and two showcase that even here and now, the fires of the dragon are starting to ignite.

God I love this opening conceptually so its a shame the execution is kinda ruined by making it look so dark on top of murky grey stone instead of like marble for maximum contrast

It's supposed to be the family tree, like it literally starts from Old Valyria and flows through the Targaryen kings, splitting up based on how many children they have to reach adulthood (you can see Rhaenys' line branching off in the background), and the Hightowers sort of just coming in, so I think it will evolve as new characters are introduced. It's just awful that they pretty much just used this dark-colored rock. It doesn't really stand out. Unless you know what it is, it's so easy not to even be able to tell that it's the literal story of the blood of the dragon.

1:18 Looking at that better, Aegons cog seems to also be the skull of Meraxes with the scorpion bolt through the eye which is what killed her. The death of Meraxes was also the death of Rhaenys which was the most devestating thing that happend to him. So I wander is the other icons also have a similar meaning. Also makes sence that only 9 of the children ofJaehaerys and Alysanne are shown, since Aegon,Gaemon and Valerion died in the cradle and Daenerys who died at 7 from the Shivers plague.

1:09 I believe that icon is the dragon Meraxes with the scorpion bolt through her eye, the dragon ridden by Queen Rhaenys, sister wife of Aegon I. She is the mother of Aenys I, the father of the Old King (and grandfather to Viserys).

I don't know why blood didn't flow into Aemma Arryn. She is also Targaryen by blood, King Jaeherys's grandchild just as much as Viserys.

Although Maegor was a usurper, he didn't usurp the Iron Throne from his brother Aenys because Aenys died from sickness beforehand. After which, Maegor usurped the throne from Aenys' heir Aegon. After killing both Aegon and his dragon Quicksilver, Maegor claimed the throne. After his brief reign, Jaehaerys succeeded him to become the fourth king of the Seven Kingdoms.

I love it that Tim is so open with his fanboying, really makes this feel like one big family :D

I've just been thinking that i want someone to make a deep dive into this intro and you did it. You are the best content creator that covers fantesy on this platform. Love you

I think a family tree is very appropriate for the intro, I just wish it was easier to tell what it is and what is happening without pausing or rewatching it several times

Thanks Tim. I was so tired the day ep 2 released and didn't have it in me to watch the opening to analyse it and you've done a fantastic job 🙌🏻

Wow you made this story sound incredible. I really hope the show stays this good.

The blood at the end of the intro also falls into the pit from triangle-shaped pools, giving the pit and the blood a shape like a bunch of arrows pointing out from a circle, one version of the symbol for chaos. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but all the bloodlines coming together to create chaos does seem about right.

Something else I appreciate about this new opening is how it's a perfect reflection of the different scale this show is working with when compared to GOT. In the original show, it was a sprawling fantasy across whole continents featuring numerous competing houses. But here, it's a story laser-focused on one family and, for the most part, one location, King's Landing. Big, important stuff is still happening, but we're dealing with a far more intimate scope this time 🤔

Im SUPER stoked you are making HotD content! Also suprised this is on the main channel

I said “oh, their bloodlines! I get it, they are lines of blood.” aloud.

Somebody asked in which House would Tim lived, that comment is gone, but my answer would be: The House of Momo, the Peacebringers under the Oath of the Cuddles.

Thank you for this explanation, I needed it because I had no clue what I was looking at.

I don't think the second cog is Aegon's, but Rhaenys' as its a dragon with a spear through its' eye, like the way she and Meraxes died

thanks for this seeing how fast and blurry the entire opening is, it took me forever to comprehend the majority of it

I wish they would go bit slowly through the opening and brighten up the video so we can better make out . It would also help to show the name of the person beside every sigil. Great video !!

I just watched both episodes but your video makes me want to watch it again.

Really amazing video, just wanted to say since I haven’t seen it be said, the picture you used for Alyssa velaryon in your family tree is actually Alyssa Targaryen, Viserys I mother, just something that just had to get out of my chest, great video all round

It’s cool to see how invested you appear. I’m just digging the positive energy when I’ve seen so much , if not straight up hate, at least a hesitation to embrace this show. Cheers

I was searching for this! While watching, I was afraid of spoilers, but there were none - very nice, thank you :D 🐉

Thank you for working this out. As you said, it is hard to see, but I wouldn't have known either way.

Thanks for explaining. This one was definitely not as obvious to discipher as the original.

Thanks for making this video, I was really lost about what this intro meant

Wow. That was beautiful.. thanks for sharing.

Thank you for doing this I was looking for this… I can relax a little now Maybe we do have a real serious 😎

Good show, good opening. Thumbs up from me 👍 It really is as simple as that 😃

Thank you for this video! I’m not a hung GOT fan and I didn’t fully get the opening!

I feel like "Blood of the Dragon" might have been a better title.

Fantastic breakdown. I love that they use the same intro music, but man... I wish they would have found a way to incorporate a nice map. I love maps so much. lol, but I guess the characters don't travel much and focusing on bloodlines makes a lot of sense for this story.

thanks so much for this video... i got the gist of it but all the details flew right over my head, so very helpful, and gives it a much more interesting aspect. I agree it's not as good as the OG opening, but it is interesting for sure, makes you think about blood as fuel for this structure, blood with magic and the house words... but indeed less clear and focused as an opening compared to GOT

The first cog represents Aegon the 1st and his valaryian steel crown he had made and the doom of valaryia. The next two are his sister wives Visenya and Rhaenys. the one with the dragon and sword threw its eye represents Rhaenys dragon Maraxes when it was shot through the eye leading to death during the dornish war.

Love this breakdown! Gives me Alt Shift X vibes

I appreciate this breakdown of the intro. It does make it a little bit more special...but I'm not down for it. Maybe it'll grow on me. I just wish they would have done something with the song. It took me to GoT not HoT...and to me they are very different.

I hope you analyze the episodes at least in the second channel. I love the way you think.

Great analysis! I was kinda confused by all this when I first saw it, didn’t really understand what was happening (coming from a guy who read fire and blood that says a lot lmao) Minor nitpick- you confused the picture of Alyssa Targaryen, Prince Baelon’s Sister (and wife) with her grandmother, Alyssa Velaryon.

Lucky me, I just finished the episode!

Love your analyse ! Can I reupload your video on my channel with french subtitles to allow my french fellas to benefit from your video ? I will credit you at the beginning and at the end of the video and I will put your channel in the description.

Were you trying to do a sages rain? If so, pretty good

ooooo its the "bloodlines"... gotcha

They spent so much time coming up with a clever new opening credits.. and apparently never thought of asking Ramin Djawadi to compose a new main theme??

3:30 Wait, I don't remember "childbirth is our battlefield" being a line from Highschool of the Dead? OK, I'll see myself out....^^ But, seriously, thank you for this video, it really helped to make ANY kind of sense as to what's happening in the intro.

Thanks!

It took a minute while watching the opening to realize what it was symbolizing but I realized it through the blood. It was a Bloodline. I love the analogy of the ending though. I got the Fire and Blood symbolism but going deeper than that was quite profound. Truly a shame that something so powerful came to such an undignified and tragic end.

Great video.

3:00 "Maybe" ? MAYBE ?!!! How could anyone not cry for him..!

The areas with green mold represent house high tower (alyscent and her children to Viseys)

I like the idea in concept but the image is so muddy and drab that I doubt most people will even know what’s happening. I think they should of went with something like the Bayeux Tapestry.

ahh, is that supposed to be the freehold? it resembles Viserys's model city. I wish the intro was easier to follow and hopefully they'll improve it as the show goes on, its really cool seeing it all explained like this.

Minor thing but the art you used for Alyssa Velaryon (Aenys I's wife) is actually Princess Alyssa Targaryen, the wife of Prince Baelon and mother of King Viserys I and Daemon.

This was cool :D

The symbolism of the intro is interesting foreshadowing

mate I am a die hard ASOIAF/GOT fan and even I didnt understand the credit scenes. I doubt most people would actually get what the intro is on about. It is very cool though good job producers

I really liked the opening but it is just needed to be clearer so that it wasn't quite so difficult to figure out. Also in my opinion a new song was needed. The GOT theme fits a show that travels all over the world, HOTD should have a more ominous sound than an adventurous one

It took me a while to figure out but I did a video on this too and I think you got a few things wrong. The first wheel is Aegon and the wheel filling up with blood is symbolizing that person has died. It goes from Aegon I to his 2 sisters, then to Aenys I, and then to Jaehaerys and his wife who had 9 children. That is why the blood makes a tree with 9 branches. Two of those branches go on to wheels representing Baelon and his sister wife who is Viserys parents then the blood travels to Viserys. Notice Viserys wheel doesn't fill up with blood symbolizing he is still alive but his wife wheel does feel up with blood. Then it travels on to Rhaenyra whose wheel doesn't fill up with blood either. As people die during the show I assume the intro will change showing their wheel filling up with blood. The whole intro is a family tree showing the bloodline from Aegon I and Rhaenys all the way to Rhaenyra.

Excellent video bro! I got crazy excited when this video popped up in my notifications. Your decision my top 3 favorite KZfaqrs. You watched The last Airbender movie for us. In my book that's bigger sacrifice than Jesus made when he died for our sins.

Another thing that was cool about the intro is that now they officially got rid of the GoT connection title and just gave it its rightful original title: “House of the Dragon” love that breakaway now it’s standing on its own merit.

The opening will probably change with each episode, especially since next week we will probably see prince aegon, going by the previews. It could be a few episodes away, but looked pretty clear Alicent will start popping out babies next episode. That'll be neat. I just wish they had a different song or music. Similar maybe, but not exactly the same.

I noticed the fire pit at the end has nine trails of blood feeding into it, is that number important to the Dance of the Dragons?

HBO has established a winning method on executing and delivering an extremely high quality product. From series like Rome , The Wire , The Sopranos and of course GoT we have all seen dramatic and industry leading theme music and well thought out and meaningful open scenes and graphics. It is not clear where the show is going. Is this season 9 or a new show that is a strong prequel to the new entertainment that is Game of Thrones ? The first episode of GoT was foundational to the whole story. The bar has been set. In rewatching the series over ( too many times to admit 😎 ) , I am looking for scenes like their being wolfs for each Stark child . John getting seeing an extra. I look forward to see how several important themes are introduced. Does the king have Grayscale ? Who is the Night King ? How are the Children of the Forrest connected? I am anticipating the magic . Not black magic maybe red magic … Keep the videos coming.

I have a theory and that is that the show will show us from the time we are now in the show to the death of the mad king. The rebellion would be a good ending point.

1:04 That drawing is of Alyssa Targaryen the mother of Viserys and Daemon, not Alyssa Velaryon.

If you watch closely: When the camera is approaching the meeting part of the blood, on the right side you see two sigils which are not yet reached by the blood. Foreshadowing on point

Already were getting some errors a) Maegor did not usurp Aenys, but Aenys' son Aegon and slew him in dragon combat over the God's Eye. Also Maegor's successor wasn't Aenys lol, who was long dead by then, but Aenys' third son Jaehaerys who married his sister Alyssanne and had a long and largely successful reign.

so smart

I'm allowing myself to be tentatively excited for this show. I deliberately didn't watch GoT while it was running because I was reading the books and I wanted to be able to have read all of them before I watched the show. None of that worked out as planned for obvious reasons, but since the writing team of "themes are for eighth grade book reports" D&D are no longer running the show I'm hoping that it won't go pear-shaped this time.

well, i had no idea it was the Targaryen bloodline, i though it was maybe the houses on westeros all being dominates by the dragons

I like this idea, since the presumed audience is already familiar with the geography of Westeros, but they could have made it more informative. I just went back to watch the original GoT opening and it displays the map locations in bright colours with written names. These obscure crown portraits are pretty much useless to viewers not intimately familiar with Targaryen lore. They should have used a lighter background colour, maybe something more reminiscent of Viserys' white stone model of Valyria. They should have also clearly named the people mentioned and maybe have icons or objects significant to them bloom out around the sigil as it fills with blood.

Melisandre was born 100 BC in Asshai, she died in Winterfell 305 AC , died with over 400 years old.. The show HofD starts 172 years before the death of Daenerys.... here do you think Melisandre is currently in House of the Dragon timeline????

I think it’s to get us used to (precondition)houses ruling as houses like Rothschilds etc

Small correction for people who might not be familiar with how the bastard names work: The Dragonseeds are only the Targaryen bastards on Dragonstone, since bastards are generally named after the place they grew up at (no, not their place of birth) so technically there's Targaryen bastards with all kinds of names.

I never read the books, what is the dance of dragons suppose to be? A war between men? or Dragons going against humans?

Which one is better?

stay safe

This ain't GoT without sister wives🤣🤣

I think the inclusion of Houses Arryn and Celtigar as "having Targaryen blood" is a bit of a stretch. The only Arryn with Targaryen blood was Aemma, who married back into the Targaryens, so the continuing Arryn line proper has no Targaryen blood, and we have zero information of marriages between the Targaryens and the Celtigars, either before or after the Conquest. I always thought it was weird how the Celtigars are hardly ever mentioned when talking about getting brides with Valyrian ancestry, not even through the Velaryons.

ooh, it's a BLOODline

I wish they'd use a new song for the intro, or at least a new version of it that maybe fits this story more. As much of a banger the old song was, just reusing it in its entirety here feels a little cheap

Their family tree looks like a stick in so many sections.

the Targaryen family tree

Thank you for this video. I'll admit that I was underwhelmed by this opening partly because it simply reused the Game of Thrones theme rather than a creative variation or something new. As someone who didn't read Fire and Blood (or any of the non-ASoIaF books), I didn't have much of this info and that certainly damaged potential enjoyment of the opening (nevermind that it was a bit hard to make out some details)

The old king and the good queen have 13 children 9 survived to adulthood

was this a poem? it was certainly poetic

"two sister-wives" is not a pleasant phrase

still sad the music is so similar, I had hope that they would make something new and catchy but alas, just a recycling of ideas.

Hey Hello Future Me can you please do more How to Train Your Dragon videos and could you please do some Dragons the Nine Realms videos and theories and could you please do How to Train Your Dragon and Dragons the Nine Realms dragon biology and evolution and are dragons archosaurs ancient prehistoric creatures from the Mesozoic era that are related to dinosaurs birds pterosaurs and crocodillans

When I watched the opening for the first time in episode two, I had no idea of what nay of that meant and I was very disappointed. I feel like it fails completely to say whatever it wants to say and if I didn't watch this video just now I would have probably never thought about it. So, all in all, I still think it's a very bad opening for that reason.

Tim, why do you sign your comments, we know it's you

I am also kinda meh on the new opening- but you can tell that they really want this new opening to mean something, by how they are matching the crowns and jewelry and even the theme of the marbles in the small council, and the 'chess' pieces for choosing the new Kingsguard...so it all comes together a bit too contrived. But definitely creative.

Hoy dare you call the good queen Alyssane "ALYSSA"? That was their mother btw, but otherwise all's good

1:45 I'm pretty sure that Maegor didn't usurp the throne until after his brother was dead (though Aenys I was possibly murdered by Visenya), and he killed his eldest nephew in Dragon combat, and executed his youngest nephew. His middle nephew became Jaehaerys I.

Oh man I completely hate the intro. In game of thrones it wasn't just a cool visual, it was informative. Who cares about the past bloodlines? With an announced 17 dragons in the story, why wouldn't they use them as the starting off point so viewers will have plenty of practice distinguishing them? A complete waste of money. I've read the books many times and I had no idea what they were trying to allude to with the intro. How are casuals gonna know without reading about it? Terrible execution of a terrible idea

Who else is waiting to watch it until the first season is finished airing?

W