1x03: Second of His Name

SHORT DISCLAIMER: The transcriptions are not always in the same key as the pieces I put as example, and sometimes they are simplified to make it clearer and more concise

This episode features some new extended variations and developments on themes from the two previous episodes, making some associations more clear. Rhaenrya's theme has a couple of interesting appearances, being the first one a piece of source music from inside the show. I'm talking about the song the juglar is singing to her at the Godswood. The melody of the song is based around the melody of her theme, although with some variations and differences. Her theme is properly stated at the end of the hunt sequence, when she returns the camp after killing the boar and witnessing the White Hart.

The music here is quite similar to what played in episode 2, when she returns to King's Landing after her confrontation with Daemon. Djawadi plays the Targaryen theme againts a choral motif based on Rhaenyra's theme, which then develops properly into her theme. This is the fullest statement of her theme this episode, altough some hints of the melody can be heard when they arrive at the hunt, and she enters the tent.

That sequence properlly introduces a theme which will be greatly developed during the rest of the episode. The melody was in fact already introduced in episode 1, playing in an emotional variation right before Queen Aemma dies, and Baelon is born. I just realized that the theme played there, but it really gains its meaning in this episode. In the arrival sequence it's developed with major chord progressions, but you can hear it in a darker variation during a couple of scenes with Viserys at the tent, right after first day of hunting is over, and again after his conversation with Otto. During Viserys and Alicent's conversation by the fireplace, exposing his doubts about whether he did the right thing or not, dark chords and hints of the melody can be heard before we get to the scene which solidifes my theory that this is a theme for Viserys.

I think the theme's tragic melody represents that, how the king constantly feels like something is wrong, like he is not in charge of his own decision-making, and that perhaps marrying again and having children wasn't the best idea, because as he says later in the episode, he wants his daughter to be happy. This whole sequences is scored with repeated statements of Viserys' Theme, greatly developed, slowly building in drama and emotion as he gives the killing blow.

For Rhaenyra's side of the story in this episode, apart from her theme mentioned above, Djawadi introduces several statements on the Heir Theme, which has already been established as a strong identity for the growing conflict between Rhaenyra and her dad, and all the troubles that come when he tries to do what he thinks it's best for the realm. The standout moment for the theme is definitely the one that plays when she runs away, after realizing her father is trying to make her marry to Jason Lannister. The theme is sad and ominous, played on the string section, with both sections developing with drama, reflecting the inner thoughts of the princess. Similar variations play over the end credits of the episode.

When Daemon recieves King Viserys' letter, anouncing he is sending help, he gets mad, and decides to take the matter into his own hands, rowing to the beach and apparently surrenders. Choir starts to sign some chords, before the piano introduces Daemon's theme. Djawadi develops it at full, with extended statements of the theme, first on piano with those choir chords as its foundation, before transitioning to a lament, with a female voice that later joins the theme, this time with piano and strings. The tension grows as the Crabfeeder's army gets closer, and the music supports this tension with more statements of the theme, with choir, strings and piano.

When Daemon's true intentions are revealed, a percussion pattern enters the scene, with hints of Daemon's theme sprinkled throughout, which underscore his epic charge againts the men of the Crab Feeder. His bravery is met with a rain of arrows, and when he is struck, he retreats under a wooden cover. Here the Crab Feeder's sound motif gains the upper hand, as they surround him, and he gets ready to face what seems like his final demise. When Lord Velaryon and his army appear to help Daemon, along with the dragons, Djawadi unleashes a heroic variation on the House Velaryon Theme, which finally establishes itself after a couple of more subdued statements. Funny enough, in this variation it vaguely reminds me a bit of a fragment of Rhaenyra's theme, in the descending parts of the melody. I don't know if this is an intentional connection or pehaps is casual, but I'm sure we will figure it out as the season goes on.

And that's it for this episode. I hope you enjoyed. You can check out my analysis of previous episodes, and be sure to stay tuned for next week's episode, as well as my series of analysis for the score of The Rings of Power. Thanks for reading and feel free to share it with anyone you think might enjoy it or find it useful.