'Game of Thrones' actor Aidan Gillen explains Littlefinger's obsession with the Stark clan

Warning: This article contains spoilers that could ruin your day. If you haven't watched the latest episode of Game of Thrones, turn back now.

Petyr Baelish a.k.a Littlefinger has long been underestimated by the leaders of the Seven Kingdoms, which is exactly why he's been able to pull off some of the more sinister plans in Westeros -- from orchestrating the persecution and death of Ned Stark to marrying off Sansa Stark to her rapist, Ramsay Bolton.

Actor Aidan Gillen partially pulled back the curtain on this ever mysterious character to let fans in on what makes Littlefinger so damn villainous. According to Gillen, Littlefinger's deep-seated need for power and control is intrinsic to his way of thinking.

"It’s pathological," said Gillen to the New York Times. "I’m not trying to play him as a complete villain, really, although he had his hand in many of the more treacherous acts or events we’ve seen over seven seasons. Most of them, in fact."

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Littlefinger has been notoriously obsessed with the Starks throughout the series -- an obsession that began during his boyhood when he dueled Brandon Stark for Catelyn's affection.

"There’s always something more to it when it involves the Starks, given his history with Catelyn Stark and that rejection, and that that’s what’s driving him," said Gillen.

Many of his plans have involved the Stark clan. Littlefinger played a role in Ned's execution, murdered Catelyn's sister, Lysa Arryn, and has recently attached himself to Lady of Winterfell Sansa Stark. Gillen said that while the Stark family is part of his character's plan, undermining them isn't his ultimate goal.

"It’s opportunistic. He couldn’t have foretold that Arya was going to show up again, and that Bran was going to show up again. He has played his part in the rise of the Starks, showing up last season with the Knights of the Vale, but he will also undermine it and exploit it. That’s what he’s doing — he’s trying to drive wedges between all of them."

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As for Petyr's creepy affection for Sansa Stark, Gillen cleared the air.

"I’m not really playing a romantic interest there. I know that’s how it appears, but it’s something slightly different," he said. "[He's] kind of mentoring, in terms of schooling Sansa in the ways of manipulation, the ways to play the game, or the ways to survive."

Littlefinger's ultimate goal is still unclear, but, given the character's history, it's likely to blow our minds.