House of the Dragon Season 2: Did you notice this detail in the credits of episode 4?

Just like its predecessor before it, the opening credits of House of the Dragon will surely undergo some metamorphoses during this season.

Visually striking and enhanced by the music of Ramin Djawadi, the credits of Game Of Thrones has been inseparable from the cult series for a decade. And the spin-offHouse of the Dragon, follows the same path. Sharing much more than a universe and a visual identity, the prequel's credits are a concept in themselves, which change over time and episodes.

For its first season, this generic took up the mechanics of the cogs from Game Of Thrones. A stream of blood flowed and activated each of the cogs symbolizing an ancestor of House Targaryen, until arriving at the final cog, that of Rhaenyra Targaryen, the main protagonist of the story. Seeing things even bigger, for the second season which started a few weeks ago, the introduction has had a makeover. In the form of a tapestry, largely inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, the credits trace the history of the Targaryens from the scourge of Old Valyria to the Dance of the Dragons through Aegon's conquest and the reign of Maego the Cruel and that of King Jaeherys and Queen Alysanne. All tainted by that eternal blood shed by the dragon lords.

How the Bayeux Tapestry Inspired the New House of the Dragon Theme Song

If the credits remained the same between episodes 1 and 2, the most observant viewers, and especially those who do not have the unfortunate tendency to press the “skip” button, may have noticed a variation in those of episodes 3 and 4. But where?

As the ending approaches, usually ending with two dragons fighting, a deceased little boy can be seen resting crowned, the red thread leading from the intro cutting off or sewing his head back on. Both interpretations are possible given the tragic circumstances of his death. This is Aegon's heir son, Jahearys, decapitated at the end of episode 1. This is followed by the representation of the hanged men of King's Landing, judged responsible for this crime.

This is not the first time that the credits have been used by creators as a playground. Years ago, the introduction of the episodes of Game Of Thrones had also experienced their share of changes. Serving as a geographical landmark, the latter highlighted the different locations where the plot of the episode took place. This allowed viewers to situate themselves and know whether or not they were going to see this or that place in Westeros.

Thus, during seasons 3 and 4, Winterfell appeared ravaged and covered in smoke following its capture and destruction by Theon Greyjoy. The pattern was then repeated in season 6 when the Stark emblem usually visible on the towers of the city, were replaced by those of House Bolton, a flayed one, after the latter took possession of the place. The direwolf did not reappear until after Winterfell was retaken by Jon and his sister Sansa.

Similarly, the season 8 credits, which we deciphered at the time, no longer began with King's Landing as was the case during the last seven seasons, but with the Wall, a gaping hole in which symbolized the breach opened by the White Walkers who would soon come to conquer the rest of the continent.

And to know all the variations that the generic of Game Of Thronessome Internet users have had fun combining them all.

The continuous changes in the introduction of House of the Dragon allow us to stage the History that is being played out before the eyes of the spectators – or rather to weave it. They are no longer geographical landmarks, but a temporal aid. What changes can we expect for episode 5? Perhaps a representation of the final battle of the previous episode and the deaths that followed…

Episode 5 of season 2 of House of the Dragon will be released next Monday on Max.