Some of the best life lessons are taught by our fathers. In fact, some of the best life lessons I’ve learned have actually been taught by TV fathers. From the now widely hated Stannis Baratheon of Game of Thrones all the way to Parks and Rec‘s manliest of men, Ron Swanson, we’ve learned some lessons from the best (and worst) TV dads around this year. With Father’s Day just around the corner, here iss some of the best advice TV dads (and second TV dads) gave this season.


#10 “Sometimes, you just have to learn to let things go.”

-Bob Belcher, Bob’s Burgers


#9 “Gonna need a hug to stay strong.”

-Seeley Booth, Bones
Booth bites the bullet and makes an excuse to Christine about why he can’t stay so that Bones doesn’t have to look like the bad guy. Even though any Bones fan knows, Booth wanted nothing more than to stay there with his family.


#8 “You should always want to be the person who sees the best in people.”

“You should always want to be the person who sees the best in people. I have been a cop for 25 years, all I can see is the flaws, the lies, the dark thoughts that people think that I don’t see. I wish I could be you. As fast as you are, that is your real power. Don’t let Wells take that from you. I don’t know why he is helping us. All that matters is that he is.”

-Joe West, The Flash


#7 “You did not belong across the world with the bloody stone men. You are the Princess Shireen of House Baratheon. And you are my daughter.”

“I was told you would die, or worse. The greyscale would go slow, and let you grow just enough to know the world before taking it away from you. Everyone advised me to send you to the ruins of Valyria to live out your short life with the stone men before the sickness spread throughout the castle. I told them all to go to hell. I called in every maester on this side of the world, every healer, every apothecary. They stopped the disease and saved your life, because you did not belong across the world with the bloody stone men. You are the Princess Shireen of House Baratheon. And you are my daughter.”

-Stannis Baratheon, Game of Thrones


#6 “Sometimes, daughters just need a guiding hand that has your best interests at heart.”

-Cory Matthews, Girl Meets World
Much like his predecessor Mr. Feeny in Boy Meets World, Cory is FULL of life advice for the children in his life. Most close to him are his daughter and her best friend, who Cory treats and considers as one of his own children. He truly wants the best for them and shows it in every episode.


#5 “You’re lucky that you live in this city. You’re lucky that you get to see stuff like that. You’re lucky to be alive at all.”

-Louis C.K., Louie
Louie, angered that his daughter spent time on her phone rather than enjoy a piece of theatre in New York City, tells her to put things in perspective. Of course, the scene makes Louie eat his own words as his daughter was on her phone researching the play, but the point is still valid.


#4 “I understand the temptation, and I know everyone your age is running away and screwing around, but you can’t. You’re a mother. I’m sorry, but you don’t get to do this.”

-Roger Sterling, Mad Men


#3 “Prefer quality over flash.”

-Ron Swanson, Parks and Recreation


#2 “Take care of mommy.”

-Jax Teller, Sons of Anarchy


#1 “I know it’s the life, doing a little bad so you can do a lot of good, but sometimes the bad’s real bad and the good, it can come at one hell of a price.”

“Cas told me what you’re doing for Dean and I’m not asking you to stop, but maybe going behind his back ain’t the best idea. Your brother, he can be stubborn, but I think he’d understand. I know it’s the life, doing a little bad so you can do a lot of good, but sometimes the bad’s real bad and the good, it can come at one hell of a price.
I ain’t there on the ground and whatever you do, I know you’ll make the right choice. You’re a good man, Sam Winchester. One of the best. And I’m damn proud of you, son. I was content up here, but getting the call from you, it’s the happiest I’ve been in forever no matter what it costs. So stay safe, keep fighting and kick it in the ass.”Bobby Singer (honorary dad), Supernatural-Bobby’s letter to Sam from heaven.

Kartik Chainani

Contributing Writer, BuddyTV