Top 10 Television Show Opening Credits

While it may seem unimportant to some, opening credits are rather important to me when it comes to television shows. I can understand why many do not use them, Lost, Breaking Bad or Frasier to name but a few, since this allows them to use the time for an additional minute or two of content. However, I believe that opening credits, if done correctly, can help to set the tone of the programme as well as catch the attention of channel hopping viewers. Since this is a relatively opinionated list in terms of it's importance and it is written as a break as I write a more involved article (watch this space) I have decided to only list 5 of my favourite opening credits, with one honourable mention rather than the usual 10.

As always this list is entirely my opinion and therefore is classed as neither right or wrong to anyone other than myself ;)

Honourable Mention

Doctor Who (BBC)

The theme to the popular BBC show Doctor Who is probably one of, if not THE most recognisable themes in television. That is why it is an honourable mention. It is limited from being part of the actual list as a result of the imagery not being particularly exciting. To be fair, they have made attempts of late to spice it up a bit by trying to convey the impact that this show has on time, with divisive results (I personally love the credits used in the current Capaldi era). I have to say I do prefer the music used in the 'New Who' series as it gives the opening a more epic and grand feeling than the subtly ominous version used during the show's initial run.

Number 5

Dickensian (BBC) 

I do love the show Dickensian, the premise that all of Dickens' characters from Scrooge to Miss Havisham live on the same street, interacting on a daily basis is something quite original and allows me to exercise all my nerdy English Teacher skills in trying to identify all the references to the famous author's classic works. This is also true of the opening credits. The use of silhouettes when introducing us to the characters allows us to not only try to identify the characters that we know, but also draws upon its premise as a 'whodunnit' as the faceless murderer of Jacob Marley (Peter Firth) is bound to be present in these opening credits. However, much like Inspector Bucket (Stepehn Rea) we are in the dark. What I quite like is the fact that these silhouettes do not just appear when the actor who plays them has their name flash up on screen, instead they mingle with one another. We are given a glimpse into how the BBC show has created a shared universe in a simple yet effective manner.

Number 4

The Musketeers (BBC)   

Another BBC show here, they aren't all from the BBC I assure you. While The Musketeers does not necessarily have the viewing quality of some of the other entrants on this list. I enjoy it, it is a fun, fast paced and easy to watch adaptation of Dumas' well known story. This is reflected in the opening credits. As soon as the music begins the excitement begins to mount, the  catchy music is played over a montage of all the primary characters in action, even Peter Capaldi's scheming Cardinal Richelieu is given some glorious cape swirling action. While this show may not be 100% accurate to the books it is good old fashioned entertainment and that is told to us within the first few seconds of the opening titles. I know that if I came looking for authentic period drama then I am in the wrong place, but I know from that montage of sword duels, horse riding and pistol shots all laid out on a background of explosive detonations of gunpowder that I am in for an hour of stylized sword play and attractive young people in leather and corsets, the modern day period drama so to speak.

Number 3

Dexter (Showtime) 

Dexter's morning routine can have a variety of different reactions depending on the viewer. I know people that hate it, and find it repetitive and in some cases just unpleasant. However, that is why I like it. Dexter is a show about a man that is hiding his true self and this is demonstrated perfectly in its subtly sinister opening titles. On the surface it just shows Dexter (Michael C Hall) going about his morning routine, one that he seems to repeat day after day. However, once you become more familiar with the show, you begin to realise that this is all just part of his facade, part of the elaborate cover that he has created to hide his true murderous identity. Once you have done that you can begin to see the more sinister undertones that everything begins to create. For example, his putting on the t-shirt, pulling it so close to his head reminds of the plastic wrapping he uses to cover his victims. Pulling the lace taut with such forces calls to mind his use of a garrote to incapacitate his prey. The use of the blood orange sort of speaks for itself. Each innocent act has a macabre undertone which may not be immediately visible, but once you spot them it is almost like you are looking beneath the facade and glimpsing the true 'monster' within.

It is also worth mentioning the Season 4 premiere of Dexter, the first episode which features his newborn son, the showmakers create a hilarious parallel as the tiredness begins to affect Dexter's reflexes and his ability to function. He misses the mosquito, his clothes have food stains, his laces snap and the music becomes discorded and off key. It was an ingenious idea that really played with audience expectation.

Number 2

Game of Thrones (HBO)

If I had made this list a few weeks ago, this would have been at the top without a moment's hesitation. The opening titles to this behemoth of a show reflect the epic scope of the content which is prefixes. Set to an magnificent score by Ramin Djawadi Game of Thrones's opening credits are arguably unique in the sense that they seem to change from episode to episode, subtly of course, but undeniably. They feature a map of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, the land in which the tale is set and the camera pans from location to location, from Winterfell home of the doomed Starks, to King's Landing, the sinister capital city where most of the scheming takes places, we get to watch as each location rises from the earth, building itself section by section. The animation is stunning and the attention to detail is astounding. What I like is that they started the show by only constructing the locations that appeared within the episode. For example, if the Wall did not feature then it was left out in favour of other locations which did. While this is an interesting idea, it became less practical as characters started to branch out and travel the countryside. As such, this idea was replaced with the notion of only using the names of the actors who actually appeared. This was particularly interesting during Episode 9 of Season 4 which took place entirely on the Wall and thus only showed the actors who appeared as Men of the Night's Watch or as the Wildling army who were invading. The icing on the cake is the little picture that appears next to these actor's name. Each of the houses of Westeros has a sigil: The Direwolf of the Starks, the Golden Lion of the Lannisters, the Baratheon Stag or The Clegane trio of Dogs, this sigil is inserted in picture form next to the actor's name to tell us which family their characters belong to. A nice touch perhaps unnoticed by many, but one which I think demonstrates their level of commitment.

Number 1

The Night Manager (BBC) 

This show is the most recent addition on my list. A miniseries aired on the BBC and based on the John le Carre novel of the same name. It is a thrilling espionage drama focusing on betrayal, violence and subterfuge. Since it focuses on the sinister dealings of a weapon manufacturer and distributor it only makes sense to use heavy weapons imagery in their opening credits. However, since it also deals with how people can use the destruction that these weapons bring for their own wealth and profit I think it is ideal that they have chosen to combine these images. Like with Dexter, there is a meaning and a purpose behind these opening titles, set to an ominous fanfare, we watch as seemingly innocent, yet luxurious items such as diamonds falling from a broken necklace morph into an air strike while a series of warships jetting through the ocean become the bubbles in a champagne flute. It gives us a look not only at a life of luxury but the dark dealings that finance it. Not only that but it does seem to link in with the theme of social class that runs through the show, those who stand to profit from the arrangement are already reasonably to extremely wealthy, while those seeking justice for the world live the more every man lifestyle. It is an effective demonstration of the more sordid side of wealth and power and the means in which it can be attained.