For Openings

I don’t watch a lot of television, but it’s not that I’m super selective. Some of what I watch is crap. Some of what I watch is very, very good. Most of what I watch had one or two good seasons and I’m clinging on for far, far longer than I should.

Most shows start out with a sort of whimper. They paste a few names on the screen accompanied by some generic music. Others have great, memorable credit sequences. Chuck, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Veronica Mars are shows that I can still recall even though it’s been years since I’ve watched. I like those shows, though. I’d have watched them anyway.

Following are some shows that I’ve watched for several seasons only, and I mean only, because the show has a really cool intro credits sequence.

Mad Men. I can’t honestly say that I’ve enjoyed an entire episode of Mad Men. My wife liked it. I like her.

Three seasons.

I watched three seasons of this show because when it came time to relax at the end of the day we’d sit there, blink at each other, and then put on Mad Men. I’d sit to watch the cool sequence with the guy falling and the music and then my butt momentum would keep me stuck to the couch.

I never did figure out why they were mad.

Dexter. I loved the first five seasons of Dexter. The whole show was good, credits, drama, violence. All of it. Those last few seasons were tough, though. Still, every time that credit sequence with the pseudo-violent everyday tasks rolled, I was hooked. Then disappointed. Then hooked again when the next episode played. It was an emotional roller coaster ride as violent as the show.

Game of Thrones. I think I don’t enjoy Game of Thrones because I’ve read the books. Every time a new character is introduced, I think of nothing but their grisly death. It’s impossible for me to form real connections to any character that I know is doomed. I’ve watched through the Red Wedding only because I absolutely love the credit sequence. And I will continue to do so as long as they still make episodes.

Those cities and gears and constructions all fit together and bring to life so beautifully all of the best parts of the novel. When that show comes on I sit rapt during the credits, transfixed by their glory.