Season two of House of the Dragon marks the beginning of a war between former friends turned bitter enemies Rhaenyra and Alicent. By now, you should have already pledged your allegiance to #TeamBlack (the right choice, obvs) or #TeamGreen (a choice, I guess) and are crossing your fingers to hope your side has the least amount of characters. It is inevitable that there will be quite a few characters who die. That is the way of war, after all, and House of the Dragon goes with death like peanut butter with jelly. So, who dies in House of the Dragonseason two? Let’s track all the sad and brutal demises right here.
House of the Dragon Deaths – Episode 1 “A Son for a Son”
Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen Loses His Head to Blood and Cheese
Jaehaerys, the son of King Aegon and his sister-wife Queen Helaena, was set to be the heir to the throne. The young and innocent boy was spotted in the episode casually playing in the council room before being sent off to his studies. Sadly, this tyke met a brutal ending thanks to some scheming by Daemon that went totally wrong. As we know, Rhaenyra is upset about her son Lucerys death at the end of season one. She only wants one thing: to see Aemond Targaryen pay for what he did.
Daemon takes this personally and hires the duo Blood and Cheese to infiltrate the royal living quarters and kill Aemond. This is obviously where the episode title “Son for a Son” comes from. And it technically happens… just to the wrong son. They locate Jaehaerys and his twin sister along with Helaena and force her to tell them which child is the boy. She does (a little too quickly for my liking) and runs off with her daughter to inform Alicent.
We don’t see a ton of blood and gore. But we hear the awful sawing sound of them taking his head to bring back to Daemon.
House of the Dragon Deaths – Episode 2 “Rhaenyra the Cruel”
Blood and Cheese Die in the Wake of Aegon’s Wrath
Of course, Blood and Cheese don’t get away with their bumbling crime. Blood is caught leaving King’s Landing and confesses to Larys that his accomplice is a ratcatcher. Aegon, acting out of rage, orders for every ratcatcher to be killed in the kingdom. This includes Cheese but also means a lot of innocent men died, too.
Ser Arryk and His Brother Erryk Have a Sad Fight to the Death
Ser Criston Cole, who was in Alicent’s bed instead of doing his job, pulls an awful move to absolve his own guilt. He orders Ser Arryk to go on an ill-fated mission to kill Rhaenyra at Dragonstone, where his brother Erryk serves by her side. He uses the whole twin bit to get all the way to her chambers, but Erryk is warned of his arrival (presumably by Mysaria). The duo battle and Erryk gets the upper hand, killing his own brother. But, his grief over his actions quickly lead him to die by suicide with his sword. It is a heartbreaking moment that is all Criston’s fault.
House of the Dragon Deaths – Episode 4 “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen & Her Dragon Meleys
We didn’t get any major deaths in episode 3 and that’s probably because House of the Dragon was waiting to hurt our souls in episode 4. This episode features the death of Rhaenys Targaryen and her faithful dragon Meleys. During a battle against Criston Cole’s faction at Rook’s Rest, Rhaenys/Meleys went against Aemond and Vhagar as well as Aegon and Sunfyre. At first, it seems they have gotten the upper hand after the duo is leaving following a valiant battle. But Aemond hits Rhaenys with the sneak attack and Meleys is critically injured. Realizing her fate, she lets go of her dragon and they both fall to a fiery death.
Aegon Targaryen Is Alive in House of the Dragon
Our resident idiot king Aegon Targaryen rode into the Rook’s Rest battle against wise recommendations in episode four. Meleys/Rhaenys made quick work of Sunfyre, but Aemond’s (probably intentional) command to Vhagar is what caused the fire that send his brother spiraling to the ground. His very fiery crash at the hands of his own brother seemed like a certain death, but it wasn’t clear at the end of the episode.
Episode five reveals that Aegon is still alive, but certainly not well. He is covered in nasty burns and riddled with broken bones. Aemond begins to rule in his stead and subsequently fires Alicent from the small council. Aegon, with the Grandmaester and Larys’ help, makes significant strides and ends the season leaving for parts unknown.
House of the Dragon Deaths Are Not Major for the Rest of the Season
There are more bloodshed and deaths to in House of the Dragon season two. We get Willem Blackwood’s beheading, the Red Sowing, and the burnt remains of Sharp’s Point but none of them qualify as major character death moments. It was actually a rather chill season but we get the feeling season three will be very, very bad.
Season two of House of the Dragon marks the beginning of a war between former friends turned bitter enemies Rhaenyra and Alicent. By now, you should have already pledged your allegiance to #TeamBlack (the right choice, obvs) or #TeamGreen (a choice, I guess) and are crossing your fingers to hope your side has the least amount of characters. It is inevitable that there will be quite a few characters who die. That is the way of war, after all, and House of the Dragon goes with death like peanut butter with jelly. So, who dies in House of the Dragonseason two? Let’s track all the sad and brutal demises right here.
House of the Dragon Deaths – Episode 1 “A Son for a Son”
Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen Loses His Head to Blood and Cheese
Jaehaerys, the son of King Aegon and his sister-wife Queen Helaena, was set to be the heir to the throne. The young and innocent boy was spotted in the episode casually playing in the council room before being sent off to his studies. Sadly, this tyke met a brutal ending thanks to some scheming by Daemon that went totally wrong. As we know, Rhaenyra is upset about her son Lucerys death at the end of season one. She only wants one thing: to see Aemond Targaryen pay for what he did.
Daemon takes this personally and hires the duo Blood and Cheese to infiltrate the royal living quarters and kill Aemond. This is obviously where the episode title “Son for a Son” comes from. And it technically happens… just to the wrong son. They locate Jaehaerys and his twin sister along with Helaena and force her to tell them which child is the boy. She does (a little too quickly for my liking) and runs off with her daughter to inform Alicent.
We don’t see a ton of blood and gore. But we hear the awful sawing sound of them taking his head to bring back to Daemon.
House of the Dragon Deaths – Episode 2 “Rhaenyra the Cruel”
Blood and Cheese Die in the Wake of Aegon’s Wrath
Of course, Blood and Cheese don’t get away with their bumbling crime. Blood is caught leaving King’s Landing and confesses to Larys that his accomplice is a ratcatcher. Aegon, acting out of rage, orders for every ratcatcher to be killed in the kingdom. This includes Cheese but also means a lot of innocent men died, too.
Ser Arryk and His Brother Erryk Have a Sad Fight to the Death
Ser Criston Cole, who was in Alicent’s bed instead of doing his job, pulls an awful move to absolve his own guilt. He orders Ser Arryk to go on an ill-fated mission to kill Rhaenyra at Dragonstone, where his brother Erryk serves by her side. He uses the whole twin bit to get all the way to her chambers, but Erryk is warned of his arrival (presumably by Mysaria). The duo battle and Erryk gets the upper hand, killing his own brother. But, his grief over his actions quickly lead him to die by suicide with his sword. It is a heartbreaking moment that is all Criston’s fault.
House of the Dragon Deaths – Episode 4 “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen & Her Dragon Meleys
We didn’t get any major deaths in episode 3 and that’s probably because House of the Dragon was waiting to hurt our souls in episode 4. This episode features the death of Rhaenys Targaryen and her faithful dragon Meleys. During a battle against Criston Cole’s faction at Rook’s Rest, Rhaenys/Meleys went against Aemond and Vhagar as well as Aegon and Sunfyre. At first, it seems they have gotten the upper hand after the duo is leaving following a valiant battle. But Aemond hits Rhaenys with the sneak attack and Meleys is critically injured. Realizing her fate, she lets go of her dragon and they both fall to a fiery death.
Aegon Targaryen Is Alive in House of the Dragon
Our resident idiot king Aegon Targaryen rode into the Rook’s Rest battle against wise recommendations in episode four. Meleys/Rhaenys made quick work of Sunfyre, but Aemond’s (probably intentional) command to Vhagar is what caused the fire that send his brother spiraling to the ground. His very fiery crash at the hands of his own brother seemed like a certain death, but it wasn’t clear at the end of the episode.
Episode five reveals that Aegon is still alive, but certainly not well. He is covered in nasty burns and riddled with broken bones. Aemond begins to rule in his stead and subsequently fires Alicent from the small council. Aegon, with the Grandmaester and Larys’ help, makes significant strides and ends the season leaving for parts unknown.
House of the Dragon Deaths Are Not Major for the Rest of the Season
There are more bloodshed and deaths to in House of the Dragon season two. We get Willem Blackwood’s beheading, the Red Sowing, and the burnt remains of Sharp’s Point but none of them qualify as major character death moments. It was actually a rather chill season but we get the feeling season three will be very, very bad.
Editor: Abigail Blackman/Ize Press Editorial (Won Young Seon, Ju Youn Lee)
When I first read the synopsis for Your Letter in a license announcement, I was hopeful–hoping that it was the very same WEBTOON comic that I had read eons ago. Finding my way to the Yen Press website–I was elated to…find that it was the very webcomic that I was never able to get out of my brain. This manwha has a special place in my heart as one of my favorite early pandemic rereads and generally a shorter series to recommend and pour back over time and time again. I loved the hopeful message of Your Letter and the way the young main character discovered ways to bond and try their very best in their quest to heal and be the best versions of themselves.
The artist and creator Hyeon-A Cho is currently working in Seoul and made her debut in 2014 with a short story series titled Water tank on Naver Webtoon’s Rookies’s short stories. The following year, she posted another short story, Lunar New Year’s Eve, on the same platform. She received the 2019 Today’s Our Comics Award and the China Jinlong Award for Foreign Comics for the work I’m reviewing today. Currently, Your Letter is in production as a theatrical animation and plans for this English translated version have been underway. While drawing advertisements and cover illustrations for young adult novels, she is preparing for her next work, titled, Santa Scout.
“It was a completely normal day”
When middle schooler Sori Lee stood up for a friend of hers against their entire class, she never expected to become their newest target—but that’s exactly what happened. Later when said friend transfers schools, Sori decides to do so as well. She desires for a fresh start, new friends, and happier memories, yet she is haunted by the bullying and harassment at her old school due to her sense of justice. Luckily, for her, it seems she has a sort of guardian angel who is looking out for her at this new school! Sori finds a mysterious letter taped to the bottom of her desk inviting her on a scavenger hunt!
Standing solidly in the slice of life genre, Your Letter masterfully fleshes out the heartbreaks and happiness of friendships, school social hierarchies and young people discovering just what type of mettle that they are made of. Sori starts to follow the trail of clues to try and uncover the identity of her mysterious benefactor. As she does so, she ends up befriending Dongsoon Park, a quiet and broody schoolmate who seems to be intimately connected to the one who left her the letters.
With Dongsoon at her side helping her collect the rest of the letters, she is able to not only explore this new school but meet new people easier and find new curious and fantastical sights around her. The previously sullen and emotionally beaten girl starts opening up more and more with each new letter she finds as she is reminded why kindness is perhaps the best weapon against a heartless world.
“I hope things work out at the new place”
Hyeon-A Cho really knows how to visually tell a story with much attention to composition, coloring, and such mastery of split panels and pages. One of my favorite pages early on in the book was seeing a spread of two pages with Sori. At the top of the first page the girl is walking to her new desk at her new school, head down looking stressed and uneasy. The very top of the next page shows Sori in a different school uniform with her head up, walking defiantly with her hands in fists. This is a scene from her last school and the bottom half of that spreads of pages shows what the Sori at the last school was walking towards: her desk covered in hurtful words and phrases by her fellow classmates.
The author drapes these pages in darker colors with the classmates of the past faceless, with darker coloring and white jeers for smiles. The pages, as a whole, artfully communicate the readers the emotional battlefield Sori feels that she is walking back into at her new school. The trauma that is following her and threatening to negatively color her new start at this new school; that is until she finds the first letter from a kind student.
Another subtle moment in the panels that stood out for me was Sori’s first meeting face to face with Dongsoon in the rabbit hutch. After the troubled boy aids her in recapturing the lost rabbits, he questions her on how she knew so much about the individual rabbits, especially as a new student. She should be unfamiliar with the school grounds and such quiet places like this. She answers his questions with a question of her own, making the surly boy look unhappy. The author includes a page of panels of closeups of their faces towards the end of the questioning where readers can start to see Dongsoon as a cagey boy with something, like a darker past to hide.
“Those words were exactly……what I needed to hear at this moment.”
Your Letter is made up of ten chapters, aptly numbered as Letters–Letter one through nine. Through the hunt of each letter, Sori then joined by Dongsoon grow closer, uncover new revelations and find themselves hurtling to uncomfortable truths about each of the past school lives before they met each other. The author brings together this heartwarming and also heart wrenching narrative about the depths of friendships and what makes them worth pursuing and remembering. The author also manages to thread into the tale the value of integrity and doing by others as the key to being the type of person you’d be proud of. Through uncertainty, unstable emotions, and the fear of standing out of those to do harm to others, Sori is reminded of the right path through letters, not just the ones she’s been hunting for with Dongsoon.
What also should not be overlooked in Your Letter is the narrative theme of having hope and being hopeful in the despite unfortunate circumstances. Both schoolmates go from feeling abandoned to bonding anew and having their morals tested. Promising to stay true to themselves, they agree to make a sacrifice, perhaps the biggest one. Yet that doesn’t end the hunt for the letters and Sori and Dongsoon come to a realization that changes everything that they know about the letters and the not so mysterious writer of the letters towards the end of the book. This manhwa brings together a beautiful story about the magic of friendship that connects people through years and places–near and far.
While reading through Your Letter, I am reminded of all the little miraculous moments made with those I called friends during my adolescence. I think of the times that I battled for them and found myself at the receiving end of their love and care, too. There is a profound wrap up in the last chapter that connects all three students together that is not to be missed. These middle schoolers choosing each other and kindness–makes for an enthralling journey of healing that I originally found perfect to reread during the darker days of the pandemic–and now.
If you are looking for more teen appropriate series for those looking to get introduced to manwha or just find more of it, my heart recommends Your Letter in a heartbeat. As much as the narrative emphasizes healing, it is also an endearing comic about connecting with others, forging true friendships, and focusing on becoming someone you’re proud of. Your Letter will surprise readers with a story steeped in reminders that we are all connected in some way–and the lengths we go for others is the true testament of friendship.
As one of my favorite pandemic rereads, Your Letter is an incredibly hopeful reading recommendation from the realm of manwha, finally in print. I am very impressed with the adaptation and level of care paid to this English print edition of the manwha. The artwork in Your Letter moves from dark and striking to fantasy like and dreamy at the drop of a hat. Readers will get a hint of this as they can open the front cover to find a mini poster that opens up in full color, front and back of Sori, Dongsoon and a mysterious student eventually finding their way to each other. Readers will find a fun surprise at the end of the book as well that not only serves as a fun detail but also cements the ways friends find each other again and again. Not to be missed, Hyeon-A Cho’s Your Letter cements itself as a short but sweet comic beloved by online readers finally in print.
Your Letter is published through Yen Press’ Ize Press imprint and can be found where comics and manga are sold. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to have a review copy!
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Black women should be celebrated in every way possible. This past year has been incredible, with Vice President Kamala Harris making groundbreaking history and women like Stacey Abrams, and Rihanna excelling in their respective fields. If you love the Queens, you will be excited to go shopping for women-centric decor today!
We’ve found home items that represent the full beauty and power of Black women that will breathe new life into your everyday routine. Ready to cop these items?
In a 90’s kind of world I’m glad I got my girls! In honor of the classic FOX sitcom, artist Nadira Simone composes this and other cult classic posters from the ’90s Golden Era of Black culture.
Express your bold style and individuality with this Black girl wall art set by Haus & Hues. You will love these paintings’ fashionable, aesthetic, and Bohemian elements with cool green tones, warm orange hues, and soft pinks in the background. Hang these beautiful pictures in your office, vanity, or dorm, and watch your confidence and personality come alive!
This set of pillow covers will add a chic look to your couch or bed with minimal effort. This set of four is machine washable and has an all white reserve side. Material is 100% polyester.
Bella and Bentley African American Pillow Cover Set of 4 (Amazon)
This 7′ X 5′ area rug is a cute addition to compliment your couch or a coffee table in your living room. This rug also had durability as it is fade-resistant–a plus if your home has lots of traffic!
ALAZA African Dancer Women Tribal Black Area Rug (Amazon)
Affirm your thoughts and inner goddess every time you look in the mirror with this bathroom set. All ‘I Am’ features a variety of designs that center strong images of Black women. Each set comes with a shower curtain with 12 plastic hooks, a bathroom mat, a U-shaped rug, and a toilet lid cover.
Each greeting card has a unique message inside, so they’re ready to make friends and family smile right out of the box. This boxed set of cards and envelopes has every sentiment you need to convey for any occasion. Get a card for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, or to send good wishes and gratitude in this assorted pack of 12!
Designs by Maria Inc. Black Girl Greeting Cards (Amazon)
This weekend in fashion included a few moving moments worth your attention. First, actor, musician, and producer Donald Glover made an appearance in a dapper Fear Of God look that we can’t get out of our minds. Meanwhile, African designer Thebe Magugu has announced a new partnership working on special projects with the nonprofit RED.
Next, Dior has announced the launch of a new exhibition highlighting the late fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh. Since its five-year anniversary, Denim Tears has already dropped a new collection with Lil Yachty and his crew as the campaign faces. Lastly, the growing athletic brand giant New Balance has dropped a new sneaker encompassing the feeling of summer. Keep scrolling to learn more about these fashion moments from over the weekend, below.
Donald Glover Wears Fear Of God
Over the weekend for a Mr. & Mrs. Smith tastemaker event in West Hollywood, California Donald Glover wore an oversized neutral-toned Fear Of God suit. The colors were layered over one another seamlessly. The way the pants fell with the single pleat on each leg over his shiny black shoes was the perfect ratio. The large blazer layered over his draped T-shirt in a complementary earth tone to his suit wassrc="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GettyImages-2165177265-scaled.jpg" alt="In Case You Missed It: Donald Glover Wears Fear Of God, Thebe Magugu Partners With Nonprofit (RED), And More" width="400" height="577" />Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images Thebe Magugu Partners With The Nonprofit RED
The African label Thebe Magugu has announced a partnership with RED titled “The Custom Heirloom Ensemble.” The project was originally launched last year with Michelle Obama and Lupita Nyong’o as the first few wearers of the pieces produced. Both women wore pieces with family members or loved ones immortalized on their clothing. Now in 2024, this edition of the project will include customizable pyjama-collar shirts, trousers, and a tote bag in green, cream, navy, and red. Speaking of RED, this partnership in the collection will have proceeds going to the nonprofit that aims to fight AIDS.
“Heirloom is a very special project for me, because it gets to immortalize through cloth not only my own memories, but the memories of others as well. Creating an archivable ‘log’ of one’s life,” said Magugu in a statement. “It is extra special that this project also gets to contribute to (RED)’s critical mission of fighting AIDS through the power of fashion. I have seen the effects of HIV/AIDS up close, having lost family members to it, and watching others manage the condition, I am personally invested in this cause. Being in South Africa, we have one of the highest rates in the world.”
In honor of the late photographer Peter Lindbergh, a new exhibition is to be on display at Galerie Dior in the French fashion house’s Avenue Montaigne flagship store in Paris. The pieces in the exhibition will be unreleased images shot by Lindbergh from a Times Square shoot that included over 80 outfits from the Dior archive ranging from ready-to-wear to Haute Couture and other images from 1988 to 2018.
Dior/Lindbergh will be on view from October 17 to May 4 at Galerie Dior at 11 Rue François 1er, 75008 Paris, France.
Denim Tears Taps Lil Yachty’s Concrete Boys For A New Collection
Denim Tears has dropped a new collection entitled “Denim University” with rapper Lil Yatchy and his crew the Concrete Boys as the starring faces of the campaign. Yatchy is seen in a pair of purple cut-off shorts, and a zip-up sweatsuit with a yellow Denim Tears crest, as if it were part of a school uniform. More from the collection worn by fellow rappers Giovanna Ramos, Camo!, Draft Day, and Concrete Moe are seen in colorways such as bright red, black, blue, green, and white. The collection also includes full-length sweatpants in the same colorways.
Shop “Denim University” on denimtears.com and in-store at African Diaspora Goods on 176 Spring Street.
A shoe that holds the feeling of summer has dropped and it’s the New Balance 1906N in a buttery yellow hue. The new shoe comes at the perfect transitional weather time right before things start to cool down and offers a sleek iteration to a usual New Balance running sneaker. As we know, sneakers have integrated their way into the more dressy scene these days and this shoe fits the criteria for being a fashionable sneaker that can be worn casually or out with a suit if need be.
The new 1906N is available now to shop on newbalance.com.