
On Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen is the proud Mother of Dragons. But it turns out that at least for one of her dragon babies, the sounds it’s making are definitely not family friendly. Gizmodo reports that if you giggle a little bit every time Daenerys talks to her dragons, you might be reacting to how the dragons sound.
The show’s sound designer, Paula Fairfield, told the WNYC radio show Radiolab that the inspiration behind the dragons’ “voices” came from the animal kingdom. Most often they’re composites from screeching birds, insects, and reptiles. But when it comes to Drogon, the sound inspiration comes from a, well, more amorous source.
“I have sounds I might choose simply by certain personality traits that I might want to push forward,” she said. “She named that dragon after Khal Drogo, her hot late husband, so Drogon is like her lover. He’s whistling at her all the time, he’s whistling at her butt and saying, 'Ooh baby.'”
So Fairfield took the sound from two giant tortoises mating and adapted that to form Drogon’s “voice.” Yes, whenever you hear the call of Drogon, it’s giant tortoises having sex. “The groan of the male actually became, with some work and adjustments and stuff, became the basis of Drogon’s purr with [Daenerys].” Fairfield said she noticed some viewers giggling when they heard the purr, but not knowing why it was funny.
Giving the dragons’ voices distinctive personalities was a way to bring the mythical creatures down to Earth, and help viewers realize the strong bond between Daenerys and her dragons. “They’re very powerful, they can be very scary, they can be very destructive,” she said. “But what’s kind of magical in Game of Thrones is that the intimate scenes also melt your heart and bring you closer to these characters that should be burning your face off.”
Listen to the segment—and the audio inspirations for Drogon and his siblings—below. The good stuff starts around 20 minutes in.
Megan Friedman is the former managing editor of the Newsroom at Hearst. She's worked at NBC and Time, and is a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
-
‘Harry & Meghan’ Director Liz Garbus Says Buckingham Palace Tried to “Discredit” the Docuseries
Despite the Palace’s claims otherwise, Garbus says the show did reach out to them for comment.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Would Have Been the “First to Hear” of Princess Eugenie’s Pregnancy, Expert Says
Eugenie is arguably the member of the royal family the Sussexes remain closest to.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Where Has Meghan Markle Been Lately?
Largely unseen during the ‘Spare’ mayhem, she is apparently “happy to let Harry take center stage.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton
-
22 Captivating Films About Royal Life
Once you've finished 'The Crown,' cue up one of these royally good films.
By Nicole Briese
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors
-
'Too Hot to Handle' Season 3 Was Filmed in Actual Paradise
A.k.a. Turks and Caicos.
By Jenny Hollander
-
The Best Celebrity 'Squid Game' Costumes
A handful of stars chose this year's most popular theme.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
The ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Cast Then & Now
'Lizzie McGuire' is getting a modern reboot. In honor of the Disney Channel classic's highly-anticipated update, here's a look at the cast then and now.
By Kayleigh Roberts
-
A Clip of Harry and Meghan Was Reportedly Booed at a British Awards Show
The video was from the couple's interview with Oprah.
By Marie Claire Editors
-
Generation Yara
“We’re in a time in which we’re no longer settling for reform, but genuine reimagination.”
By Lola Ogunnaike