| "We Light the Way" | |
|---|---|
| House of the Dragon episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 5 |
| Directed by | Clare Kilner |
| Written by | Charmaine DeGraté |
| Featured music | Ramin Djawadi |
| Cinematography by | Alejandro Martinez |
| Editing by | Crispin Green |
| Original air date | September 18, 2022 |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
"We Light the Way" is the fifth episode of the first season of the fantasy drama television series House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones. Its title is the motto of House Hightower, one of the fictional noble families featured in the series.[1] The episode was written by Charmaine DeGraté, and directed by Clare Kilner. It first aired on HBO and HBO Max on September 18, 2022.
The plot depicts Daemon visiting his estranged wife, Rhea Royce, in the Vale and the wedding of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Laenor Velaryon.
In the United States, "We Light the Way" gained a viewership of 1.8 million during its premiere night on linear television alone. It received mostly positive reviews, with critics praising Emily Carey's performance, the conversation between Laenor and Rhaenyra at Driftmark, and the wedding sequence. Nevertheless, the portrayal of Joffrey Lonmouth's death received criticism from critics and fans alike, which was perceived as another case of the "bury your gays" trope.
The episode marks the final appearance of Emily Carey as young Alicent Hightower.