Game of Thrones Recap: "The Night Lands"

Sunday's episode of 'Game of Thrones' might as well have been dedicated to the Father of the Faith of the Seven. The prevailing focus of the night was very much the show's paternal figures. Theon Greyjoy makes it back home to Pyke after nearly a decade away, but the only living son of Balon Greyjoy is rejected by his father for having gone soft (and humiliated by his sister for not realizing who she is when he puts the moves on her). But at least Theon has a dad: On the Kingsroad, Arya Stark’s only way to feel close to Ned is reminiscing with Gendry about the time he was interrogated by the Hand of the King. And far, far to the north, Jon Snow is still getting the cold shoulder from his stand-in father figure Lord Commander Mormont for mouthing off in front of Craster, who’s officially the worst dad in Westeros. Jon makes the bad situation even worse by trying to investigate what happens to Craster's sons, and gets clubbed on the head for his troubles.

Even those without children had their heartstrings tugged. Littlefinger tries to comfort Ros as she mourns for baby Barra – by reminding her she is an investment that can be recouped in any number of perverse ways. Over on Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon falls for the oldest line in the book when his in-house religious advisor/ ginger priestess drops her robe and promises him a son. As if having forsaken his own faith isn't enough, Stannis has now completely surrendered himself to the Lord of Light.

Of the Seven, the Father represents justice. Here's hoping that's still around the corner for this motley group.