Driftmark

"Driftmark" is the seventh episode of the first season of the fantasy drama television series House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones. The episode was written by Kevin Lau and directed by showrunner and executive producer Miguel Sapochnik. It first aired on HBO and HBO Max on October 2, 2022. The plot follows Laena Velaryon's funeral at Driftmark; Aemond claiming Laena's dragon Vhagar which leads to a fight between him and Baela, Rhaena, Jacaerys and Lucerys, resulting in Aemond losing his left eye; and continued speculation surrounding Rhaenyra and Laenor's sons as bastards. In the United States, the episode achieved a viewership of nearly 1.9 million during its premiere night on linear television alone. It received highly positive reviews from critics, who praised Sapochnik's direction, the opening funeral scene, Aemond claiming Vhagar, the fight between Aemond and other children, the midnight confrontation, the closing plot twist, and performances of the cast, particularly Olivia Cooke. Nevertheless, some critics took issue with the lighting, dubbing the night scene unduly dark.