Can't get external display to work

Hello

I want to connect an external display (HDMI) to my macbook air, via my Lacie Thunderbolt external SSD. However the macbook air tries to connect (comes up with the blue screen) but always fails. Here is the chain: -

Macbook Air -> Thunderbolt Cable -> Lacie SSD -> Griffin MDP to HDMI -> HDMI cable -> External Display

Any help would be appreciated!

Quick update - I tried with a minidisplayport to dvi (different external display) and it worked. Must be the hdmi cable, perhaps an older version of cable? I have no idea how the different version numbers work!