'House of the Dragon' defends 'creative decision' to make show dark as viewers struggle to see

The makers of House Of The Dragon have defended the latest episode being so dark, after viewers complained they could not see anything.

Episode seven of HBO's Game Of Thrones prequel, titled Driftmark, saw Prince Aemond claiming Vhagar as his dragon in a scene so dark many claimed they struggled to work out what was happening.

HBO Max Help customer services said in a statement on Twitter: "Hey there! We appreciate you reaching out about a night scene in House of the Dragon: Episode 7 appearing dark on your screen. The dimmed lighting of this scene was an intentional creative decision. Thanks!"

But many viewers claimed the dimmed lighting made it impossible to see the action taking place on screen, with some even sharing screenshots of their pitch-black TV screen.

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One complained: "House of the Dragon continuing the classic Thrones tradition of making an episode so dark it's almost unwatchable."

Another tweeted: "I’m gonna need @hbomax to issue a written apology for literally a whole episode of black screen of #HouseOfTheDragon This is ridiculous."

One viewer claimed: "Literally turned off the lights, shut the curtains, maxed the brightness and IT’S STILL F**KING DARK #HouseOfTheDragon"

Another fan said: "Tonight’s episode of House of the Dragon was so dark I couldn’t see anything. It might as well have been audio only. Watching was like listening to a radio show and being forced to use my imagination to visualise what was actually happening."

And many claimed they were having to squint and strain their eyes to try and see the TV show, with several memes trending to that effect.

Since the show launched in August it has sparked strong reactions from viewers for several reasons.

While many Game Of Thrones fans are loving the show, some found the incestuous sex scene between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) and her uncle Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) uncomfortable to watch.

An in episode three, viewers were amused to spot a prominent green screen glove during a scene featuring Paddy Considine, whose character King Viserys Targaryen is missing two fingers on his left hand.

House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of Game Of Thrones ad is based on George R.R. Martin's book Fire & Blood.

It stars Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, who is plunged into a bitter rivalry with his brother King Viserys (Considine) when the queen and their infant son both die, leading him to name daughter Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) as his heir rather than Daemon.

Read more: Emilia Clarke responds to Game of Thrones coffee cup debacle

The series follows the history of the Targaryen dynasty and is shaping up to be just as bloodthirsty as Game Of Thrones.

Watch: House of the Dragon's dim scenes in episode 7