‘Game Of Thrones’: Westeros Has The Worst Fathers Ever

In Episode 6 (entitled “Blood Of My Blood”) of Game of Thrones, fans were introduced to yet another horrible father; Lord Randyll Tarly. He originally sent his son, Samwell, off to the Night’s Watch under the threat of death and named his younger son, Dickon, as his heir. So, when fans heard Samwell was heading home, they knew it was not going to be a happy reunion.

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains information about HBO’s Game of Thrones. Please proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

“You’re almost a man now, but you’re not worthy of my land and title. Tomorrow you’re going to take the black, forsake all claim to your inheritance and start north. If you do not, then we’ll have a hunt… and somewhere in these woods your horse will stumble and you’ll be thrown from your saddle to die. Or so I’ll tell your mother. Nothing would please me more.”

This is how Randyll Tarly (James Faulkner) told his son, Samwell (John Bradley-West) that he would be joining the Night’s Watch in Episode 4 (entitled “Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things”) of Season 1 of HBO’s Game of Thrones. it wasn’t very pleasant, yet it probably wasn’t the worst thing Randyll had ever said to his son. So, when he returned in Episode 6 of Season 6, it was likely the meeting would sour pretty quickly.

Samwell knew the reunion would be difficult, but it was essential as he needed a safe place for Gilly (Hannah Murray) and her son, Little Sam, to stay while he trained to be a maester. Knowing his father’s displeasure with wildlings, the official story was that Gilly was someone he met in Mole’s Town and Gilly’s son was his own. Before long, though, the true story came out and Randyll sent Samwell away as punishment for letting a wildling shelter under his roof. To add insult to injury, he allowed Gilly and Little Sam to stay.

But Is Randyll Tarly The Worst Father In Westeros?

Let’s have a look at some of the other Game of Thrones contenders for “Worst Father in Westeros.”

Roose Bolton

While Game of Thrones fans are hating on Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon), it is easy to forget just how nasty Ramsay’s father can also be. Considering the Bolton house sigil is the flayed man, it is no wonder this family is sick and twisted. While it appears–in the TV show, at least–he is not as brutal as Ramsay, Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton), is particularly nasty to his bastard son, reminding him often that he could just as easily produce another heir to replace Ramsay.

It may be very easy to hate Ramsay for the things Game of Thrones fans have seen him do in which he finds pleasure, but it is perhaps more disturbing to watch his father’s cool and calculated approach. Ramsay is akin to a mad dog, unable to control his urges in Game of Thrones. His father, on the other hand, will wait patiently to strike at just the right moment to inflict the most amount of pain and suffering. as this Reddit user pointed out about the book version of Roose. While the book version of Roose may indeed be nastier, it is still evident in the TV series. For example, in Game of Thrones, even when Ramsay was taking over the North, his father was still there to knock him down continuously with every error he had made.

Tywin Lannister

Tywin (Charles Dance) is another father of Westeros who likes to knock his children down. While he will put each child in their place when he feels they need it, it is Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) who receives his wrath the most often thanks to the fact that Tyrion’s mother died as a result of childbirth complications when Tyrion was being born. And it probably this reason alone that tipped Tyrion over the edge when he shot his father with a crossbow while he was on the toilet.

While not seen on screen, when Tyrion was younger, he married a common whore. When Tywin found out, he was so enraged he paid Tyrion’s wife to have sex with his guards while Tyrion had to watch. It is this sort of parenting that will never grant Tywin a “Father of the Year” award.

Balon Greyjoy

Another terrible father in Game of Thrones is Lord Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide). When Balon led a rebellion against King Robert Baratheon, his son, Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) was taken in as a ward of the Starks to ensure the Greyjoy’s allegiance to King Baratheon after he defeated the rebellion. In other words, Theon was a hostage. Of course, while Balon led the rebellion, and it could be considered his own fault his only living heir was made a ward of the Starks, Balon actually seems to blame Theon for growing up with them. He showed his displeasure at his son by ridiculing him every moment he got and insisting his sister, Yara (Gemma Whelan), was a better “son” than he would ever be.

Stannis Baratheon

Finally, let’s not forget Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane). This is the man who allowed his own daughter, Shireen (Kerry Ingram), to be sacrificed by burning her alive as a sacrifice to the Lord of Light. At the first suggestion of using Shireen as a human sacrifice, Stannis was notably appalled. However, once the odds were down, it didn’t take him long to agree to the sacrifice.

Which father in Game of Thrones do you think is the worst? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

Season 6 of Game of Thrones returns to HBO with Episode 7, entitled “The Broken Man” airs on Sunday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET.The official synopsis according to the Independent for Episode 7 is as follows.

“The High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) eyes another target. Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) confronts a hero. Arya (Maisie Williams) makes a plan. The North is reminded.”

[Image via HBO]