History Leitmotif / LiveActionTv

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': Claudia has her own [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiQndEQXf-E eponymous theme,]] and variations of it are heard in her EmergencyTransformation [[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g6cyy scene,]] "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpyUje8qsDo Charlie]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UdbYl9My50 Laudanum and Arsenic]]".

** [[TheCracker Root]] has a unique theme which opens with a series of clear, single notes which acts as the foundation for the main theme. Nolan said that her music was one of the reasons she was given an [[AscendedExtra extended role beyond villain of the week]]. The full track is called "[[JustForPun Root of all Evil]]".

* Each of the dinos on ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' have a leitmotif. Barney's leitmotif is the show's theme song although "I Love You is also used (mainly at the end). Baby Bop has the song "My Yellow Blankey", BJ has "BJ's Song", and Riff has "I Hear Music Everywhere". Additionally in the earlier seasons, Baby Bop had a segment of "Baby Bop's Street Dance" play when she appeared.

*** "UNIT", beefed up for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uvAKFDutjY "UNIT Rocks"]] in Series Four (and joined by a B-theme in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E15PlanetOfTheDead Planet of the Dead]]"), also appearing in ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures''.

* Every character on ''Series/{{Lost}}'' has a theme. Some have as many as eight. Locations and abstract ideas receive motifs [[http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Musical_themes as well]].
** Possibly the most famous is "Locke'd Out Again," the emotional theme of John Locke.
*** Locke's hunter theme from Season 4 also qualifies. It also takes an epic turn for the creepy in [[spoiler:Season 6 when Locke is the Man in Black]]
** Ben's theme, "Dharmacide", is another common one. The eerie main notes, at the very least, play at least once during every important scene involving Ben.
*** Not to mention that the emotional part of the song played in Ben's "redeeming" moments is tragic all on it's own.
** "Make Your Own Kind of Music" by Mama Cass is always associated with Desmond, because it played during the famous opening of Season 2 when he was introduced, and again in another episode involving him. In an example of FridgeBrilliance, the title of the song actually applies to the fact that [[spoiler:Desmond, in time travel scenarios, is the only person who can "make his own kind of music," or change future events]] -- a concept that wouldn't be revealed for three years.
*** However, he does have an official theme that plays in songs like "The Constant" and "Distraught Desmond".
** [[spoiler:Man in Black]]'s theme also has become a favorite, especially when it is featured prominently in the Season 6 episode [[spoiler:"Across the Sea".]]
** Kate's main musical motif is Patsy Cline music, which ''always'' appears in episodes revolving around her.
** Charlie's theme (Called on the soundtrack "Charlie's Temptation") consists of many low cello notes strung together beautifully. An especially emotional version of it plays [[spoiler: over the Life and Death Theme while Charlie drowns in the Looking-Glass Station]]
** One of the most instantly recognizeable themes is Sayid's because of its distinct melody and how it's often a violin solo. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiQX2JwYliI Hollywood and Vines]] is another major theme which is pretty much guaranteed to play in any season finale (as well as the pilot episode) whenever the cast has gathered together to trek across the island towards some sort of climactic encounter.
** The Life and Death theme is an absolutely beautiful theme that plays whenever someone dies. A particularly epic/sad version plays [[spoiler:in the final moments of the show as Jack staggers through the bamboo grove and dies.]]
** Juliet is often associated with Petula Clarke's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_m4Qb0iW-o "Downtown"]] which she plays in three of her centric episodes, but also has her own instrumental theme in the series' score, titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aIvbg91Hvg "Ocean's Apart"]].

** In all the ''Star Trek'' series, slow-paced violin or flute music plays during sad and/or romantic moments.

* There are a few recurring themes in ''Series/TheUntamed'', written by Hai Lin, but the most prominent is definitely [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfsAuVOpihg 'Wu Ji']], the main theme for lead protagonists Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. It plays in several different variations throughout the series, including as the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikdtn6MZQ7k end credits theme]], usually when Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are sharing an especially sweet bonding moment.

%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order.

* The syndicated series ''The Adventures of Superboy'' had themes for just about every character and many other elements of the show, including: Lex Luthor, Bizarro, Metallo, Smallville, kryptonite, and the Bureau For Extra-Normal Matters (Clark's workplace in season 3 and 4). Even minor villains that appeared only in one or two episodes got their own themes.

* ''Series/TheAmazingRace'' uses this for certain teams, like when Harlem Globetrotters Flight Time & Big Easy (Season 15) got the Globetrotter theme "Sweet Georgia Brown" and cowboys Jet & Cord (Season 16) had generic [[TheWestern Western movie]] music.

** Roslin: the theme that most commonly represents her by Season 4 started out as the Destiny (religious) theme, heard prominently in the season 1 finale.
** Roslin And Adama: a Celtic-inspired waltz that was first introduced in the "Resurrection Ship" two-parter in season 2 and returned for many of their most intimate moments, it was featured most heavily in the back half of season 4. [=McCreary=] called it the only true love theme of the show.
** Baltar: a number of short phrases. In the season 4 premiere he gains a new religious theme for his scenes among the cultists.

** Kara: associated with a number of themes, including Starbuck's Destiny (originally used to represent her relationship with Leoben) and the Forgiven theme from season 1.
** Lee and Kara: a string-heavy theme inspired by the Shape of Things to Come (Opera House) theme, it first appears over flashbacks to New Caprica in season 3, as well as Lee's attempt to help Kara in 'Maelstrom' and their good-bye in 'Six of One' among other episodes.

** Tigh: a military-inspired brass theme that first plays in the season 2 episode 'Fragged.' The instruments used vary wildly from season to season, underscoring Tigh's growth.
** Gaeta: introduced midway through season 4 when [[spoiler: Gaeta is injured]], the theme comes in both instrumental and choral variants (sung by Alessandro Julianni, Gaeta's actor, no less). In season 4.5 [[spoiler: it sees heavy use during the mutiny arc]].
** Military theme: used most often for scenes between Adama and Tigh, as well as during the season 4.5 [[spoiler: mutiny]] arc.
** Shape of Things to Come: AKA Opera House theme. Plays over the season 1 finale, as well as various destiny-themed moments throughout the seasons.
** All Along the Watchtower: chiefly played on the electric sitar and electric violin. This theme first appears in the season 3 premiere, and in 'Crossroads' comes to represent [[spoiler: the Final Five]], which becomes its primary use in season 4.
** Basestar: a piano piece first introduced in season 3 to accompany [[spoiler: Gaius Baltar's scenes on the Cylon basestars]]. Used in season 4 during the [[spoiler: Cylon Civil War]] arc.

** Religious ceremony: the "Two Funeral" theme from season 1, also the US season 1 theme, is heard at a lot of funerals.

* The first three seasons of ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' had a tendency to play Buffy and Angel's love theme every time there was a moment related to their relationship on screen. It's a semi-mournful tune most often played on a piano. Apparently the score for season 2 won awards, though that doesn't stop some people from mocking the {{Wangst}} factor every time it appeared. Listen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5C92qy7mX8 here]].
** Starting in Season Three, the Buffy/Angel theme changes, and undergoes a slow metamorphosis that parallels their relationship coming apart. During the Mayor's advice for them in "Choices" we can hear several of the different themes played back to back, indicating that this is a pivotal scene, at least for Angel
** Played with in ''The Zeppo''. The episode is dedicated to showing how awesome Xander is, whether he (or anyone else) realise it or not. Meanwhile, an intentionally trite episode of Buffy's playing in the background. Mid-episode we cut suddenly to a massively OTT emotional scene with Buffy and Angel with this music being played - it cuts off when Xander appears at the door, hesitantly starting to ask for help, then offer help...then when he walks off, the music and the scene crank up again at full tilt while we cut away to follow Xander, instead.
** Jenny Calendar picked up a similar semi-mournful theme underscoring her derailed romance with Giles - unfortunately for her it was on the last episode where she was alive. It did play in later episodes where Giles recalls her, or when he sees her in a Drusilla-induced hallucination.

* In season 4 of ''Series/{{Dexter}}'', the Trinity Killer is given "Introducing Trinity" and "Trinity Suite", ominous and haunting themes that illustrate his dark nature as a serial killer. It reappears in season 6 when [[spoiler:the cops think they may have found him (in reality, Dexter killed him), but it is instead his son who did the murder.]]

*** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eqnml1VO7s Torchwood Theme]], used in series 2, and as the theme tune for ''Series/{{Torchwood}}''. Later crops up (with Jack's own theme) whenever he returns to the parent series.

** A minor example, but Into the Fire plays during both "A Hard Day's Night" and "My Next Life" - both episodes focus on the same patient, Katie Bryce.

** Sylar's involves marimbas and bassoons with staccato to re-create the sound of clocks ticking in reference to the character's ability to see how things work. Subverted when [[spoiler:Sylar gains shapeshifting powers]]. You see Mr. Bennet walking down the hallway while Sylar's theme plays; he looks incredibly smug, which he really shouldn't be, given that [[spoiler: Sylar has successfully used his new ability to completely discredit Bennet and nearly destroy his marriage]]. So, obviously, you conclude that [[spoiler: this must be Sylar shapeshifted into Bennet]], right? Wrong! Makes the BatmanGambit actually working that much more believable, if you- with all your GenreSavvy- have just fallen for it from beyond the FourthWall. Sylar's theme also includes the sound of a growling animal, referring to him hunting down other people with powers to satisfy the "Hunger" that comes with his own power.

* In ''Series/TheIncredibleHulk1977'', David Banner and the Hulk each have their own, often incorporated into the background music. David's is The Lonely Man Theme, while the Hulk's is a simple four-note theme. The opening song ("Incredible Hulk Main Title - Version 2") incorporates both, alternating lines of the Lonely Man theme with ever-louder repetition of the Hulk's theme. You can hear it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsEBgxXdD4 here]], starting at about 40 seconds.

*** Locke's hunter theme from season 4 also qualifies. It also takes an epic turn for the creepy in [[spoiler:season 6 when Locke is the Man in Black]]

** "Make Your Own Kind of Music" by Mama Cass is always associated with Desmond, because it played during the famous opening of season 2 when he was introduced, and again in another episode involving him. In an example of FridgeBrilliance, the title of the song actually applies to the fact that [[spoiler:Desmond, in time travel scenarios, is the only person who can "make his own kind of music," or change future events]]--a concept that wouldn't be revealed for three years.

** [[spoiler:Man in Black]]'s theme also has become a favorite, especially when it is featured prominently in the season 6 episode [[spoiler:"Across the Sea".]]

** Decima and Greer have "Virus Within A Virus" from the season 2 soundtrack.

** ''Power Rangers'' {{Reunion Show}}s will bring back the theme song for each series that returns. The 15th anniversary episode "Once A Ranger" (part of ''Series/PowerRangersOperationOverdrive'') makes it a little absurd, however: Rangers from five teams (''[[Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers Mighty Morphin]]'', ''[[Series/PowerRangersNinjaStorm Ninja Storm]]'', ''[[Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder Dino Thunder]]'', ''[[Series/PowerRangersSPD SPD]]'', and ''[[Series/PowerRangersMysticForce Mystic Force]]'') appear and we get to hear all five of their respective season theme songs[[note]]Except ''Mighty Morphin''[='s=], due to legal issues - it's believed that the producers wouldn't have spent money for the right to use it after all they spent bringing the actors[[/note]] in each of the three battles in which they participate. The big final battle throws in the ''[[Series/PowerRangersOperationOverdrive Operation Overdrive]]'' theme as well, since the battle is the Operation Overdrive team's collective HesBack moment following their earlier {{De Power}}ing.

** Also used on ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'', in an episode more or less directly parodying the Original Series' ''Amok Time'' - when Fry hears the iconic fight music, he knows he's ''really'' in trouble.

** The planet-destroying robot from "The Doomsday Machine" had its own music of doom whenever it was on screen, courtesy of Sol Kaplan. This music would be reused to represent other threats from season 2 (such as the cloud vampire from "Obsession" and the giant space amoeba from "The Immunity Syndrome").

* ''[[Series/WonderWoman1975 Wonder Woman]]'': Wonder Woman's [[InstantCostumeChange transformation sequence]] was always accompanied by this. It changed over the three seasons from a jazz motif to a build and flourish number by the end of season 3.

* In ''Series/GreysAnatomy'', Derek and Meredith have a piano leitmotif that is played during important moments of their relationship.[[spoiler: After Derek dies, it is usually used during flashbacks or memories of him.]]

* In ''Series/GreysAnatomy'', Derek and Meredith have a piano leitmotif
that is played during important moments of their relationship.[[spoiler: After Derek dies, it is usually used during flashbacks or memories of him.]]

* In''Series/GreysAnatomy'', Derek and Meredith have a [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tFlEoiIUDsA piano leitmotif]]

** A [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xOLrlF15Qk strings leitmotif]]
is used in Season 11 whenever Meredith is remembering something about her mother or her past.
** A minor example, but [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VFroDCsVCeY Into the Fire]]
plays during both "A Hard Day's Night" and "My Next Life" - both episodes focus on the same patient, Katie Bryce.

* ''Series/GreysAnatomy''
** Derek and Meredith have a [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tFlEoiIUDsA piano leitmotif]]

** Derek and Meredith have a[[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tFlEoiIUDsA piano leitmotif]]

** A[[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xOLrlF15Qk strings leitmotif]]

** A minor example, but[[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VFroDCsVCeY Into the Fire]]
plays during both "A Hard Day's Night" and "My Next Life" - both episodes focus on thr same patient, Katie Bryce.

** Derek and Meredith have a [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tFlEoiIUDsA piano leitmotif]]

** A [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xOLrlF15Qk strings leitmotif]]

** A minor example, but [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VFroDCsVCeY Into the Fire]]

** Derek and Meredith have a piano leitmotif [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tFlEoiIUDsA]]

** A strings leitmotif [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xOLrlF15Qk]]

** A minor example, but Into the Fire [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VFroDCsVCeY]]
plays during both "A Hard Day's Night" and "My Next Life" - both episodes have the same patient, Katie Bryce, as their focus.

** Derek and Meredith have a piano leitmotif that is played during important moments of their relationship.[[spoiler: After Derek dies, it is usually used during flashbacks or memories of him.]]
** A strings leitmotif is used in Season 11 whenever Meredith thinks about her mother and her past.
** The songs How To Save a Life or Chasing Cars play during sad moments in the show, like when someonw dies.
** A minor example, but Into the Fire by Thirteen Senses plays during both "A Hard Day's Night" (01×01) and "My Next Life" (12×12) - both episodes have the same patient, Katie Bryce, as its focus.