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** In Season 6, when Sam wants to avoid [[spoiler:regaining his soul, which he fears will destroy him by bringing back memories of his time in Hell]], he is told that he can prevent this by committing a grievous sin, specifically patricide. Literal patricide is obviously out of the question, but Sam is reassured that "it needs the father's blood, but the ''father'' need not ''be'' blood", leading him to chase Bobby violently through his own house in the attempt to commit the murder. (Keep in mind that Sam [[CameBackWrong isn't himself at the time]]. He knows enough to identify Bobby as his father figure, but not enough to be horrified by the thought of killing him.) The episode also gave us the hilarious FridgeHorror line "Nobody kills me in my house but me!"
to:
** In Season 6, when Sam wants to avoid [[spoiler:regaining his soul, which he fears will destroy him by bringing back memories of his time in Hell]], he is told that he can prevent this by committing a grievous sin, specifically patricide. Literal patricide is obviously out of the question, question (since his is already dead), but Sam is reassured that "it needs the father's blood, but the ''father'' need not ''be'' blood", leading him to chase Bobby violently through his own house in the attempt to commit the murder. (Keep in mind that Sam [[CameBackWrong isn't himself at the time]]. He knows enough to identify Bobby as his father figure, but not enough to be horrified by the thought of killing him.) The episode also gave us the hilarious FridgeHorror line "Nobody kills me in my house but me!"
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** Sam, Dean '''and''' (especially) Castiel act as surrogate parents to Jack [[spoiler:the Nephilim and son of Lucifer]].
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Moving this to Big Brother Mentor, since they're roughly the same age.
Deleted line(s) 70,72 (click to see context) :
** Also, surprisingly, John could possibly count as one for Sherlock, since he ''has'' [[GoodIsNotSoft killed TWO VILLAINS in cold blood and threatened death on one of them when said knucklehead grabs him in a headlock in an attempt to strangle him or snap his neck]]. He also ''taught'' Sherlock about friendship, and his [[MoralityPet presence humanizes Sherlock]] which, in turn [[UndyingLoyalty prompts Sherlock to fake his on death for him.]]
** Also, despite the fact Sherlock's ''younger'' than his friend, he could be seen as one for John, since it's most likely obvious his parents died, though it's possible they were alive in his birth and all that. [[FridgeBrilliance Sherlock's confidence could've rubbed off on John.]]
** Plus, [[CoolBigSis Mary]] could be seen as this (in a way) since she seems to understand Sherlock as much as [[LivingEmotionalCrutch his best friend]] does. [[BewaretheNiceOnes And she's the one who shot Sherlock.]] Basically? Don't screw around ''with an assassin from the CIA.'' You WILL get your rear end kicked if you do. Oh, and, despite the fact that John is a quiet, nice, guy you REALLY don't want to provoke him into messing you up if you mess with his friend. [[BadassBookworm And he's very capable of doing it.]]
** Also, despite the fact Sherlock's ''younger'' than his friend, he could be seen as one for John, since it's most likely obvious his parents died, though it's possible they were alive in his birth and all that. [[FridgeBrilliance Sherlock's confidence could've rubbed off on John.]]
** Plus, [[CoolBigSis Mary]] could be seen as this (in a way) since she seems to understand Sherlock as much as [[LivingEmotionalCrutch his best friend]] does. [[BewaretheNiceOnes And she's the one who shot Sherlock.]] Basically? Don't screw around ''with an assassin from the CIA.'' You WILL get your rear end kicked if you do. Oh, and, despite the fact that John is a quiet, nice, guy you REALLY don't want to provoke him into messing you up if you mess with his friend. [[BadassBookworm And he's very capable of doing it.]]
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** Cristóbal Rios mentions that he thought of his former captain Alonzo Vandermeer as a father, and came close to calling him "Pops" several times.
to:
** Cristóbal Rios mentions that he secretly thought of his former captain Alonzo Vandermeer as a father, and came close to calling him "Pops" several times.
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Changed line(s) 85 (click to see context) from:
** Cristóbal Rios mentions that he thought of his former captain Alonzo Vandermeer as a father at times.
to:
** Cristóbal Rios mentions that he thought of his former captain Alonzo Vandermeer as a father at father, and came close to calling him "Pops" several times.
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Changed line(s) 74,75 (click to see context) from:
* Captain Sisko from ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' seems to fit this for some of the cast some of which don't have parents living or otherwise (Kira, Odo) or aren't on speaking terms/have parental issues (Bashir, Ezri). This is shown in some of his interactions with them.
* On ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'', little Naomi Wildman's father is 70,000 light years away when she is born, so several of the male crewmembers try to fill a paternal role in her life, usually her godfather Neelix.
* On ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'', little Naomi Wildman's father is 70,000 light years away when she is born, so several of the male crewmembers try to fill a paternal role in her life, usually her godfather Neelix.
to:
* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': Captain Sisko from ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' seems to fit this for some members of the cast main cast, some of which whom don't have parents living or otherwise (Kira, Odo) or who aren't on speaking terms/have parental issues (Bashir, Ezri). This is shown in some of his interactions with them.
*On ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'', little ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'':
** Naomi Wildman's father is 70,000 light years away when she is born, so several of the male crewmembers try to fill a paternal role in her life, usually her godfather Neelix.
*
** Naomi Wildman's father is 70,000 light years away when she is born, so several of the male crewmembers try to fill a paternal role in her life, usually her godfather Neelix.
Changed line(s) 77 (click to see context) from:
*** Lampshaded in "Barge of the Dead" (where B'Elanna's mother appears in a vision wearing a Starfleet captain's uniform) and "Dark Frontier", where Janeway "tucks Seven into bed" (plugs her into her Borg alcove) after she [[strike: wins the custody battle]] rescues Seven from the Borg Queen.
to:
*** Lampshaded in "Barge of the Dead" (where B'Elanna's mother appears in a vision wearing a Starfleet captain's uniform) and "Dark Frontier", where Janeway "tucks Seven into bed" (plugs her into her Borg alcove) after she [[strike: wins the custody battle]] rescues Seven from the Borg Queen.
Changed line(s) 81 (click to see context) from:
** In continuation of Seven of Nine's surrogate mother-son relationship with Icheb from ''Voyager'', [[spoiler:her final words to him are:]]
to:
** In continuation of Seven of Nine's surrogate mother-son relationship with Icheb from ''Voyager'', [[spoiler:her final words to him are:]]are]]:
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** Ramdha took care of her niece and nephew Narissa and Narek after their parents died.
** Cristóbal Rios mentions that he thought of his former captain Alonzo Vandermeer as a father at times.
** According to Creator/JeriRyan in [[https://www.facebook.com/StarTrek/videos/145872656671606/ this interview,]] Seven of Nine is beginning to treat Elnor like a son figure in "Broken Pieces."
--->'''Ryan''': She, I think, feels so protective of Evan [Evagora]'s character, Elnor, who's sort of her young protégé, and I think she kind of views him as a surrogate son since she [[spoiler:lost Icheb]].
** Altan Soong sees himself as the father of his android creations -- whom he calls "my children" -- and he tells them that Dr. Agnes Jurati is the closest thing to a mother that they'll ever know.
--->'''Sutra''': A mother would die for her children. Would you? I will know if you're lying.\\
'''Jurati''': Yes.\\
'''Sutra''': Good.
** Cristóbal Rios mentions that he thought of his former captain Alonzo Vandermeer as a father at times.
** According to Creator/JeriRyan in [[https://www.facebook.com/StarTrek/videos/145872656671606/ this interview,]] Seven of Nine is beginning to treat Elnor like a son figure in "Broken Pieces."
--->'''Ryan''': She, I think, feels so protective of Evan [Evagora]'s character, Elnor, who's sort of her young protégé, and I think she kind of views him as a surrogate son since she [[spoiler:lost Icheb]].
** Altan Soong sees himself as the father of his android creations -- whom he calls "my children" -- and he tells them that Dr. Agnes Jurati is the closest thing to a mother that they'll ever know.
--->'''Sutra''': A mother would die for her children. Would you? I will know if you're lying.\\
'''Jurati''': Yes.\\
'''Sutra''': Good.
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* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Because the orphan Elnor was raised by the all-female Qowat Milat sect, Picard was the sole significant male figure in his life, so naturally the boy looked up to the older man as a surrogate father. Zani along with the other nuns of her order are surrogate mothers to Elnor; she tells Picard that the boy is loved by them. When Picard returns to Vashti after a 14-year absence, he and Zani discuss Elnor's uncertain future like concerned parents would. Since Elnor's gender prevents him from joining the Qowat Milat, his mother and father figures agree that Zani has done all that she can for him, and now it's time for Picard to try to guide Elnor as he should've done. In fact, Picard's first paternal-like action shortly afterwards is to admonish Elnor for killing a man even though said man did try to murder Picard.
to:
* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': ''Series/StarTrekPicard'':
** Because the orphan Elnor was raised by the all-female Qowat Milat sect, Picard was the sole significant male figure in his life, so naturally the boy looked up to the older man as a surrogate father. Zani along with the other nuns of her order are surrogate mothers to Elnor; she tells Picard that the boy is loved by them. When Picard returns to Vashti after a 14-year absence, he and Zani discuss Elnor's uncertain future like concerned parents would. Since Elnor's gender prevents him from joining the Qowat Milat, his mother and father figures agree that Zani has done all that she can for him, and now it's time for Picard to try to guide Elnor as he should've done. In fact, Picard's first paternal-like action shortly afterwards is to admonish Elnor for killing a man even though said man did try to murderPicard.Picard.
** In continuation of Seven of Nine's surrogate mother-son relationship with Icheb from ''Voyager'', [[spoiler:her final words to him are:]]
--->'''Seven''': [[spoiler:''(tearfully)'' I'm so sorry. ''My child''.]]
** Because the orphan Elnor was raised by the all-female Qowat Milat sect, Picard was the sole significant male figure in his life, so naturally the boy looked up to the older man as a surrogate father. Zani along with the other nuns of her order are surrogate mothers to Elnor; she tells Picard that the boy is loved by them. When Picard returns to Vashti after a 14-year absence, he and Zani discuss Elnor's uncertain future like concerned parents would. Since Elnor's gender prevents him from joining the Qowat Milat, his mother and father figures agree that Zani has done all that she can for him, and now it's time for Picard to try to guide Elnor as he should've done. In fact, Picard's first paternal-like action shortly afterwards is to admonish Elnor for killing a man even though said man did try to murder
** In continuation of Seven of Nine's surrogate mother-son relationship with Icheb from ''Voyager'', [[spoiler:her final words to him are:]]
--->'''Seven''': [[spoiler:''(tearfully)'' I'm so sorry. ''My child''.]]
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Changed line(s) 79 (click to see context) from:
* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Because the orphan Elnor was raised by the all-female Qowat Milat sect, Picard was the sole significant male figure in his life, so naturally the boy looked up to the older man as a surrogate father. Zani along with the other nuns of her order are surrogate mothers to Elnor; she tells Picard that the boy is loved by them.
to:
* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Because the orphan Elnor was raised by the all-female Qowat Milat sect, Picard was the sole significant male figure in his life, so naturally the boy looked up to the older man as a surrogate father. Zani along with the other nuns of her order are surrogate mothers to Elnor; she tells Picard that the boy is loved by them. When Picard returns to Vashti after a 14-year absence, he and Zani discuss Elnor's uncertain future like concerned parents would. Since Elnor's gender prevents him from joining the Qowat Milat, his mother and father figures agree that Zani has done all that she can for him, and now it's time for Picard to try to guide Elnor as he should've done. In fact, Picard's first paternal-like action shortly afterwards is to admonish Elnor for killing a man even though said man did try to murder Picard.
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Changed line(s) 74 (click to see context) from:
* Captain Sisko from ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' seems to fit this for some of the cast some of which don't have parents living or otherwise (Kira,Odo)or aren't on speaking terms/have parental issues (Bashir, Ezri)this is shown in some of his interactions with them.
to:
* Captain Sisko from ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' seems to fit this for some of the cast some of which don't have parents living or otherwise (Kira,Odo)or (Kira, Odo) or aren't on speaking terms/have parental issues (Bashir, Ezri)this Ezri). This is shown in some of his interactions with them.
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* ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Because the orphan Elnor was raised by the all-female Qowat Milat sect, Picard was the sole significant male figure in his life, so naturally the boy looked up to the older man as a surrogate father. Zani along with the other nuns of her order are surrogate mothers to Elnor; she tells Picard that the boy is loved by them.
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* Capt. Holt is this to Jake in ''Series/BrooklynNineNine''. There's even one ColdOpening in which Jake calls Holt "dad" by accident, much to the amusement of the entire precinct.
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* Capt. Holt is Holt, and, by extension, his husband Kevin, are this to Jake in ''Series/BrooklynNineNine''. There's even In a season one ColdOpening in which ColdOpening, Jake calls Holt "dad" by accident, much to the amusement of the entire precinct.precinct but everyone comes to embrace the dynamic later in the series.
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Fixed link
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** Jo Grant and the Third Doctor very clearly had this relationship with each other. Her parents are never mentioned, but EveryoneCouldSeeIt (in a platonic sense).
to:
** Jo Grant and the Third Doctor very clearly had this relationship with each other. Her parents are never mentioned, but EveryoneCouldSeeIt EveryoneCanSeeIt (in a platonic sense).
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Changed line(s) 80 (click to see context) from:
** Thanks to their father Lonnie Byers being an asshole deadbeat dad, Jonthan and Will see Hopper as their prime father figure helped by the fact Hopper and their mother Joyce were teen sweethearts. Jonathan who normally doesn't see eye to eye with adults aside from his mother notably softens up around Hopper repeatedly asks to go with the police chief when shit hits the fan but Hopper gently refuses, insisting Jonathan look after the kids and his mother. [[spoiler: Hopper also flashbacks to when his daughter was dying when giving younger son Will CPR in the season finale just hammer to point home harder]].
to:
** Thanks to their father Lonnie Byers being an asshole deadbeat dad, Jonthan and Will see Hopper as their prime father figure helped by the fact Hopper and their mother Joyce were teen sweethearts. Jonathan who normally doesn't see eye to eye with adults aside from his mother notably softens up around Hopper Hopper, and repeatedly asks to go with the police chief him when shit hits the fan but Hopper gently refuses, insisting Jonathan look after the kids and his mother. [[spoiler: Hopper also flashbacks to when his daughter was dying when giving younger son Will CPR in the season finale just hammer to point home harder]].
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Fixed prepositions
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* ''Series/StrangerThings'' loves this trope.
to:
* ''Series/StrangerThings'' loves this trope.trope:
Changed line(s) 81 (click to see context) from:
** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[https://youtu.be/nSe85ziPfkY?t=107 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't half as effective as Joyce is in the role. [[spoiler: At the end of Season 3, Joyce adopting Eleven due to Hopper's apparent death isn't even questioned or challenged InUniverse ''it just happens'']].
to:
** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[https://youtu.be/nSe85ziPfkY?t=107 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was more important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't be half as effective as Joyce is in the role. [[spoiler: At the end of Season 3, Joyce adopting Eleven due to Hopper's apparent death isn't even questioned or challenged InUniverse ''it just happens'']].
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** This is further enhanced in Season 2, when Skye's ''actual'' father The Doctor (aka [[spoiler: Cal Zorbo/Mr. Hyde]]) shows up. While he desperately tries to connect with her, she rightfully calls him out as a monster (which he [[SelfDeprecation regretfully admits to]]), and clings even closer to Coulson as a result. To say that this [[BerserkButton pisses the Doctor off]] is [[UnstoppableRage an understatement]].
to:
** This is further enhanced in Season 2, when Skye's ''actual'' father The Doctor (aka [[spoiler: Cal Zorbo/Mr.Zabo/Mr. Hyde]]) shows up. While he desperately tries to connect with her, she rightfully calls him out as a monster (which he [[SelfDeprecation regretfully admits to]]), and clings even closer to Coulson as a result. To say that this [[BerserkButton pisses the Doctor off]] is [[UnstoppableRage an understatement]].
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New material added to the Strangers Things section
Changed line(s) 77 (click to see context) from:
*** Lampshaded in "Barge of the Dead" (where B'Elanna's mother appears in a vision wearing a Starfleet captain's uniform) and "Dark Frontier", where Janeway "tucks Seven into bed" (plugs her into her Borg alcove) after she [[strike:wins the custody battle]] rescues Seven from the Borg Queen.
to:
*** Lampshaded in "Barge of the Dead" (where B'Elanna's mother appears in a vision wearing a Starfleet captain's uniform) and "Dark Frontier", where Janeway "tucks Seven into bed" (plugs her into her Borg alcove) after she [[strike:wins [[strike: wins the custody battle]] rescues Seven from the Borg Queen.
Changed line(s) 80,82 (click to see context) from:
** Thanks to their father Lonnie Byers being an asshole deadbeat dad, Jonthan and Will see Hopper as their prime father figure helped by the fact Hopper and their mother Joyce were teen sweethearts. Jonathan who normally doesn't see eye to eye with any adult aside from his mother notably softens up around Hopper repeatedly asks to go with the police chief when shit hits the fan but Hopper gently refuses insisting Jonathan look after the kids and his mother. [[spoiler: Hopper also flashbacks to when his daughter was dying when giving younger son Will CPR in the season finale just hammer to point home harder]].
** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[https://youtu.be/p9X_5uAF2DM?t=86 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't half as effective as Joyce is in the role.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while heartwarming it also realistically goes though the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). Eleven gets vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't.
** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[https://youtu.be/p9X_5uAF2DM?t=86 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't half as effective as Joyce is in the role.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while heartwarming it also realistically goes though the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). Eleven gets vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't.
to:
** Thanks to their father Lonnie Byers being an asshole deadbeat dad, Jonthan and Will see Hopper as their prime father figure helped by the fact Hopper and their mother Joyce were teen sweethearts. Jonathan who normally doesn't see eye to eye with any adult adults aside from his mother notably softens up around Hopper repeatedly asks to go with the police chief when shit hits the fan but Hopper gently refuses refuses, insisting Jonathan look after the kids and his mother. [[spoiler: Hopper also flashbacks to when his daughter was dying when giving younger son Will CPR in the season finale just hammer to point home harder]].
** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[https://youtu.be/p9X_5uAF2DM?t=86 be/nSe85ziPfkY?t=107 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't half as effective as Joyce is in the role.
role. [[spoiler: At the end of Season 3, Joyce adopting Eleven due to Hopper's apparent death isn't even questioned or challenged InUniverse ''it just happens'']].
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while it's very heartwarming it also realistically goesthough through the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, with Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away from him when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). daughter whom he lost). Near the end Eleven gets a vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't. In Season 3 Hopper frequently calls Eleven his daughter without pretense and is pretty [[OverprotectiveDad overprotective]] of her, especially when Mike is being a bad influence on her.
** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[https://youtu.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while it's very heartwarming it also realistically goes
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* Johnny Rose on ''Series/SchittsCreek'' gradually becomes a surrogate father to his business partner, Stevie Budd. Stevie, in fact, becomes close to all of the Roses over the course of the show. She eventually expresses fear that Johnny will abandon her, but he promises her that won't happen. When the motel is renamed The Rosebud Motel, after Johnny and Stevie, it feels like a kind of adoption.
to:
* Johnny Rose on ''Series/SchittsCreek'' gradually becomes a surrogate father to his business partner, Stevie Budd. Stevie, in fact, becomes close to all of the Roses over the course of the show. She eventually expresses fear that Johnny will abandon her, but he promises her that won't happen. When the motel is renamed The Rosebud Motel, after Johnny and Stevie, it feels like a kind of adoption. In Season 5, the un-maternal Moira becomes a substitute mother to Stevie as the older woman directs the younger in a community theatre production.
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fixed a spacing goof
Changed line(s) 74,75 (click to see context) from:
* Captain Sisko from ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' seems to fit this for some of the cast some of which don't have parents living or otherwise (Kira,Odo)or aren't on speaking terms/have parental issues (Bashir, Ezri)this is shown in
some of his interactions with them.
some of his interactions with them.
to:
* Captain Sisko from ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' seems to fit this for some of the cast some of which don't have parents living or otherwise (Kira,Odo)or aren't on speaking terms/have parental issues (Bashir, Ezri)this is shown in
in some of his interactions with them.
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Added DiffLines:
*Captain Sisko from ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' seems to fit this for some of the cast some of which don't have parents living or otherwise (Kira,Odo)or aren't on speaking terms/have parental issues (Bashir, Ezri)this is shown in
some of his interactions with them.
some of his interactions with them.
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Added DiffLines:
** Willow and Tara were surrogate mothers to Dawn for a short time after [[spoiler: Buffy's death.]]
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* In ''Series/{{Harlots}}'', there's no mention made of Charlotte and Lucy's father. (Or possibly father''s''. Given their mother's [[TheOldestProfession profession]], it's very likely that they don't have the same one.) However, William, their mother's partner (and father of their half-brother Jacob) is wonderful and loving to them both, and is their father in every way that matters. Both girls call him "Pa" and apparently have for a long time. When Lydia mockingly tells William he can't claim Charlotte is his daughter, he promptly responds that, while they may not be biologically related, Charlotte calls him her father ''by choice'', and that's what really counts.
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* Alan Eppes of ''Series/{{NUMB3RS}}'' has a habit of acting like this towards Don's FBI team, as well as Robin and Amita (his eventual daughters-in-law). He also takes on something of a big brother/mentor role to [[CloudCuckooLander Larry]], providing him with guidance and advice.
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Added DiffLines:
* Johnny Rose on ''Series/SchittsCreek'' gradually becomes a surrogate father to his business partner, Stevie Budd. Stevie, in fact, becomes close to all of the Roses over the course of the show. She eventually expresses fear that Johnny will abandon her, but he promises her that won't happen. When the motel is renamed The Rosebud Motel, after Johnny and Stevie, it feels like a kind of adoption.
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Added DiffLines:
* ''Series/WithoutATrace'''s Martin Fitzgerald's aunt and uncle were this to him, having never had a close relationship with his father.
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* ''Series/LawAndOrderUK'''s DS Matt Devlin clearly views his partner Ronnie as this, even though he never actually says it. Unsurprising, given that his father/stepfather was abusive. The reverse is also true--after Matt is killed, Ronnie explicitly says, "He was like my son." Also unsurprising as he was a terrible father to his two daughters, due to being an alcoholic.
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Added DiffLines:
* ''Series/{{Disjointed}}'': Played with. Doug deeply desires for a son that he can pass his dojo to. When he befriends the ManChild Pete, he desperately wants to become a father figure to him, for him to become his disciple, inherit the dojo and quit growing marijuana, but Pete loves his current job, already has Ruth closer to being this trope than him and sees Doug as just an older friend, and is often weirded out or uncomfortable by Doug trying to take this position.
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New examples
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** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[[https://youtu.be/p9X_5uAF2DM?t=86 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't half as effective as Joyce is in the role.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while heartwarming it also realistically goes though the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). Eleven gets vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while heartwarming it also realistically goes though the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). Eleven gets vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't.
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** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[[https://youtu.[[https://youtu.be/p9X_5uAF2DM?t=86 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't half as effective as Joyce is in the role.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while heartwarming it also realistically goes though the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). Eleven gets vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while heartwarming it also realistically goes though the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). Eleven gets vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't.
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New examples
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* ''Series/StrangerThings'': [[spoiler: Hopper to Eleven]] in the second season.
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* ''Series/StrangerThings'': ''Series/StrangerThings'' loves this trope.
** Thanks to their father Lonnie Byers being an asshole deadbeat dad, Jonthan and Will see Hopper as their prime father figure helped by the fact Hopper and their mother Joyce were teen sweethearts. Jonathan who normally doesn't see eye to eye with any adult aside from his mother notably softens up around Hopper repeatedly asks to go with the police chief when shit hits the fan but Hopper gently refuses insisting Jonathan look after the kids and his mother. [[spoiler: Hopper also flashbacks toEleven]] when his daughter was dying when giving younger son Will CPR in the second season. season finale just hammer to point home harder]].
** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[[https://youtu.be/p9X_5uAF2DM?t=86 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't half as effective as Joyce is in the role.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while heartwarming it also realistically goes though the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). Eleven gets vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't.
** Thanks to their father Lonnie Byers being an asshole deadbeat dad, Jonthan and Will see Hopper as their prime father figure helped by the fact Hopper and their mother Joyce were teen sweethearts. Jonathan who normally doesn't see eye to eye with any adult aside from his mother notably softens up around Hopper repeatedly asks to go with the police chief when shit hits the fan but Hopper gently refuses insisting Jonathan look after the kids and his mother. [[spoiler: Hopper also flashbacks to
** In just ''one scene'' Joyce becomes mother surrogate to [[ParentalAbandonment the parent straved]] Eleven as she comforts Eleven about going into the Upside Down in the MentalWorld then when Eleven freaks outs Joyce [[[https://youtu.be/p9X_5uAF2DM?t=86 soothes]] her back to calmness. The most heartwarming thing is Joyce was clearly worried about her own son Will but she prioritized looking after Eleven at that moment ''because it was important''. It's also ironic as Mike suggested his own mom Karen could be Eleven's mother surrogate, even though she wouldn't half as effective as Joyce is in the role.
** Throughout Season 2 Hopper is father surrogate to Eleven and while heartwarming it also realistically goes though the heartache of the both of them arguing with each other, Hopper failing to keep [[WhenYouComingHomeDad his promises]] he made her and Eleven running away when all Hopper wants to do is [[PapaWolf keep her safe]] (as Eleven reminds him greatly of his own daughter). Eleven gets vision of Hopper apologizing for his actions into a recorder causing Eleven to cry and return to Hawkins from LA, once reunited and they make up before the FinalBattle. Mike even gets angry at Hopper for not telling him about Eleven continued existence and is actually kinda jealous that Hopper gets to look after Eleven and he doesn't.
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*** Especially the case whenever the changes in status quo had voerwhelmed Sheldon to where he needed to go on his own to recover. Leonard was utterly worried and it took Penny to calm him down and to trust Sheldon. Later, Leonard is the one whi picks up Sheldon up soon.
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*** Especially the case whenever the changes in status quo had voerwhelmed overwhelmed Sheldon to where he needed to go on his own to recover. Leonard was utterly worried and it took Penny to calm him down and to trust Sheldon. Later, Leonard is the one whi picks up Sheldon up soon.
** Jo Grant and the Third Doctor very clearly had this relationship with each other. Her parents are never mentioned, but EveryoneCouldSeeIt (in a platonic sense).
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** The Twelfth Doctor's relationship with his last companion Bill, an orphan, is like a fun grandad or a cool teacher. Bill even compares him to her foster mother.
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** The Twelfth Doctor's relationship with his last companion Bill, an orphan, is like a fun grandad or a cool teacher. Bill even compares him to her foster mother.
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** Barry Allen has a second father in Joe West, who raised him after his father wrongly went to jail for the murder of his mother. He even [[spoiler: calls him 'Dad' before embarking on his mission to save his mum via time travel.]] Additionally, while Barry isn't quite as close to Dr. Wells as Cisco is, Wells is yet another paternal figure in his life.
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** Barry Allen has a second father in Joe West, who raised him after his father wrongly went to jail for the murder of his mother. He even [[spoiler: calls him 'Dad' before embarking on his mission to save his mum via time travel.]] Additionally, while Barry isn't quite as close to Dr. Wells as Cisco is, Wells is yet another paternal figure in his life. [[spoiler: Until, you know, "Wells" turned out to be EvilAllAlong and Barry's ArchEnemy.]]
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* ''Stranger Things'': [[spoiler: Hopper to Eleven]] in the second season.
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* ''Stranger Things'': ''Series/StrangerThings'': [[spoiler: Hopper to Eleven]] in the second season.
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* ''Series/TrueBlood'': Bill Compton is a parental substitute for his vampire progeny Jessica Hamby. [[IHateYouVampireDad It's rough at first]] but Jessica does come to see Bill as a better father than her abusive human father.
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* ''Stranger Things'': [[spoiler: Hopper to Eleven]] in the second season.
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The main page for Parental Substitute was becoming too long. Certain sections, like Live-Action TV, were removed from the main page and split into subpages.
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* Given how she was constantly shuffled between foster homes in her youth, Agent Coulson is the closest (and longest lasting) thing to a father figure that Skye of ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'' has ever had. It gets lampshaded in an early episode when Skye refers to an argument between Coulson and May as "Mom and Dad fighting". Coulson outright confirms this status in an episode where Skye is critically injured and tells the doctor who wants to summon her family so they can say their goodbyes that the team is Skye's family.
** This is further enhanced in Season 2, when Skye's ''actual'' father The Doctor (aka [[spoiler: Cal Zorbo/Mr. Hyde]]) shows up. While he desperately tries to connect with her, she rightfully calls him out as a monster (which he [[SelfDeprecation regretfully admits to]]), and clings even closer to Coulson as a result. To say that this [[BerserkButton pisses the Doctor off]] is [[UnstoppableRage an understatement]].
* In ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', ManChild Sheldon often views Penny as a substitute for his mother (who is alive, just lives away from him); he wants her to take care of him when he's sick, or sing him a lullaby. This is especially emphasized in the episode "The Guitarist Amplification", when Sheldon runs away to the comic book store, because he can't bear Leonard and Penny fighting, and Penny makes it up to him by buying him a robot and a comic book.
** His reasoning for not standing watching them fight is because it reminds him of when his parents' fight, which truamatized him. Given how his dad would ''throw dishes'' and apparently his mother would ''bake glass shards in his food'' as retaliation, it's tragically understandable why the conflict causes him to revert.
** Leonard takes on a fatherly role at times: taking care of his transportation needs, shopping for food and clothing, making sure he goes to bed on time and is often the one he goes to for advice on relationship matters. When he and Penny were dating they served as surrogate parents, when they broke up Sheldon was like a child in a divorce. That led to a lot of DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything dialogue as Leonard and Penny renew their friendship for Sheldon's sake.
*** Especially the case whenever the changes in status quo had voerwhelmed Sheldon to where he needed to go on his own to recover. Leonard was utterly worried and it took Penny to calm him down and to trust Sheldon. Later, Leonard is the one whi picks up Sheldon up soon.
** Sheldon's mother tends to be this for Leonard; for all that she tends to be TheFundamentalist and is [[BookDumb not particularly well-educated]], she is nonetheless a [[CloserToEarth much more loving and sympathetic figure]] than Leonard's own mother, who treats Leonard as an errant test subject. Likewise, Sheldon sees Leonard's mother this way, as the two of them have much more in common with each other than with Leonard.
* Sweets from ''Series/{{Bones}}'' was adopted by an elderly couple, but both died before he began working with Bones and Booth. After Season 4, he begins to see Booth as a father figure and Bones as something like a sister.
* ''Series/BreakingBad'' has one of the darkest examples possible, to the point of possibly being a subversion. Due to his rocky relationship with his parents, [[AntiVillain Jesse Pinkman]] constantly seeks the approval of his former high school chemistry teacher and current partner in the meth business, [[VillainProtagonist Walter White]]. Walter does truly care for Jesse, as he always goes out of his way to protect him, but mixes this care with horrible psychological abuse, emotional blackmail, and manipulation.
* Capt. Holt is this to Jake in ''Series/BrooklynNineNine''. There's even one ColdOpening in which Jake calls Holt "dad" by accident, much to the amusement of the entire precinct.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
** Buffy's father has little contact with her, even after her mother dies, but Giles serves as a surrogate father. In "Helpless", another character describes Giles as having "a father's love" for Buffy. Especially noticeable when a spell causes Buffy to decide to get married and she ask Giles to give her away. In the comics, Giles does for Faith what he did for Buffy.
** Willow and Xander are similar, as well. Willow's parents are away for months at a time and have virtually abandoned her, rarely seeing her at all. Xander's parents are drunk and too busy yelling at each other to notice him most of the time. Giles often serves as a surrogate father to them both. It makes Giles' somewhat dismissive and snippy treatment of Xander in early seasons kind of upsetting--for instance, in a season 3 episode, he is angry at Xander for sleeping during "Oz-watch", but later seems to find it almost endearing when Buffy does the same.
** Giles is also the only real adult in Dawn's life after her mother's death, and he clearly has a fatherly role in her life as well. His TeamDad status amongst a group of kids without parents makes it pretty easy for him to end up in this role a lot.
** The Mayor takes a similar role for Faith after her FaceHeelTurn.
** Maggie Walsh was a surrogate mother to Riley and Adam; the latter even refers to her as "mother".
* Gideon to Reid in ''Series/CriminalMinds''. [[spoiler:So when Gideon quits, Reid experiences the second loss of a father in his life]].
* Gil Grissom to Warrick Brown on ''Series/{{CSI}}''. Warrick talks a lot about it in the video found after his death. "If I could have chosen my father, I would have chosen Gil Grissom" or something close to that.
* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
** Ace's father is never mentioned, and she has a bad relationship with her mother, so the Doctor ends up becoming a father figure to her.
** Various incarnations of the Doctor could be considered a Mad Uncle substitute for a lot of his companions. Even some of the most cynical, like Jack Harkness, want desperately to impress him and live up to his idea of them.
** The Twelfth Doctor's relationship with his last companion Bill, an orphan, is like a fun grandad or a cool teacher. Bill even compares him to her foster mother.
* ''Series/FallingSkies'': [[NotSoStoic Weaver]] [[LikeASonToMe to]] [[ChildSoldier Jimmy]]. While its evidenced throughout the first seasons, from things like Weaver comforting him when he was nearly killed by a Skitter to defending his various screw ups, it really shows when [[spoiler: Jimmy [[AnyoneCanDie dies]] in the third episode of the second season and Weaver bonds with Ben, who blames himself for his death due to being there, with the two talking about what Jimmy would have wanted and sharing happy memories about him]].
** Pope also offered to do the same with Tom's kids as incentive to get Tom to leave, but as [[AxeCrazy it]] [[JerkAss is]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Pope]], [[TheSociopath afterall]], its not wise to take this as truth.
* ''Series/FamilyMatters'': Steve Urkel's parents, in addition to being TheGhost, are abusive, and Steve regularly mentions how much open disdain they show for him. This is part of the reason he always goes over to the Winslow house. Carl Winslow is more of a father to Steve than Steve's father is, even if Carl doesn't usually want him around.
* In ''Series/TheFlash2014'', Dr. Harrison Wells is this to Cisco Ramon. Cisco is estranged from his own family, who never understood his interest in the sciences, and as a result craves the approval of his boss and mentor who actually understands him. For his part, Wells is very fond of Cisco and considers him to be [[LikeASonToMe like the son he never had.]] [[spoiler: Unfortunately, even this paternal love is not enough to prevent Wells from killing Cisco in the alternate timeline where he discovered his true identity.]]
** Barry Allen has a second father in Joe West, who raised him after his father wrongly went to jail for the murder of his mother. He even [[spoiler: calls him 'Dad' before embarking on his mission to save his mum via time travel.]] Additionally, while Barry isn't quite as close to Dr. Wells as Cisco is, Wells is yet another paternal figure in his life.
* In ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'', Uncle Phil is a better father figure to Will than Will's own deadbeat dad ever was. The only episode when Will's dad makes an appearance cements this. At the end of the series, Will even admits that he looked up to Phil and wanted to follow his example.
* On ''Series/FridayNightLights'', Matt Sarecen sees Coach Taylor as this. Matt has a father, but he's a much better soldier than parent.
* ''Series/FrontierCircus'': In "The Inheritance", Casey 'inherits' custody of a pair of almost adult children.
* ''Series/FullHouse'' is somewhat based in this trope. Uncle Jesse and Joey move in to help Danny raise his daughters after the [[MissingMom mom dies in a car accident]], thus becoming additional father figures in the girls' lives. Later, Jesse gets married and Aunt Becky takes on the role of mom substitute.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
** Davos Seaworth was the closest thing to a decent parental figure Shireen Baratheon had -- her actual parents being crazy Lord of Light zealots who spent a lot of time burning people when things weren't going well for them during the War of Five Kings. He admits that [[LikeASonToMe he loved her as if she were his own child]] [[spoiler:when confronting Melisandre over her role in Shireen being burned as a sacrifice.]]
** Osha eventually becomes one for Bran and Rickon, growing extremely protective of them.
* In ''Series/GilmoreGirls'' Luke is this to his nephew, Jess, after Jess's [[ParentalAbandonment mother]] sent him to live with Luke.
* ''Literature/GossipGirl'': Dorota is more of a mother to Blair than Eleanor Waldorf is. Lily tries to be this for Chuck, but she's barely a parent to her biological children, so... A good moment that demonstrates this trope is when she told [[spoiler:Bart Bass, back from the dead]], "Charles is mine, too".
** Lampshaded in season three:
--->'''Cyrus:''' Dorota is family. She practically ''raised'' Blair. ''[death glare from Eleanor]''
* In ''Series/{{Gotham}}'', Alfred Pennyworth and Jim Gordon share this role for the young Bruce Wayne as the show goes into the topic, rarely discussed in the comics, of what kind of child-rearing would create the Franchise/{{Batman}}. As an ex-marine turned butler suddenly forced into the role of sole caretaker of an emotionally damaged child billionaire, Alfred is, with the best of intentions, not really equipped to take care of Bruce. He spoils Bruce by letting him indulge in his obsession regarding the deaths of his parents, and teaches Bruce to solve his problems with violence. Gordon, meanwhile, as the only ByTheBookCop, acts as moral center for Bruce. Both of them inadvertently instill a ToBeLawfulOrGood mindset favoring good in Bruce, since Alfred does not think highly of the police and Gordon's investigation into the Wayne murders has met with limited success.
* In ''Series/{{Humans}}'' at first glance Leo and Anita seem like love interests, that is until TheReveal that Leo sees Anita as his mother and she in turn loves him as her son. They look of similar age but Anita is a sentient robot who has raised Leo from childhood.
* At the end of the ''Series/ImInTheBand'' episode "Lord of the Weasels", Derek Jupiter, the lead singer of Iron Weasel, is considered to be a father figure to the band's teen guitarist, Tripp Campbell.
* On ''Series/{{Leverage}}'', [[GentlemanThief Archie]] was this to [[ClassyCatBurglar Parker]] as a teenager, even calling himself her father. [[TeamDad Nate]] and [[TeamMom Sophie]] also have elements of this towards both Parker and Hardison.
* In ''Series/{{LOST}}'', after [[spoiler:Claire disappears and fails to escape the island with them]], Kate ends up adopting her son.
* Gaius for Merlin on ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}''. He does meet his real father briefly, but Balinor dies before the episode is over. And his mom is still in Ealdor.
* ''Series/{{NCIS}}'': Gibbs is pretty explicitly this to Ziva:
** During the episode "Dead Air", Tony and [=McGee=] have been teasing her about not knowing much about baseball. At the end of the episode, this exchange ensues:
--->'''[=McGee=]:''' Well, look at this! She ''do'' know a little somethin' 'bout baseball, huh?\\
'''Ziva:''' Yeah. My father taught me.\\
'''Gibbs:''' ''[face-splitting grin]''
** Gibbs expresses his side at the end of the episode "Safe Harbor", after giving her some fatherly advice.
--->'''Ziva:''' Are you lonely, Gibbs?\\
'''Gibbs:''' You're never lonely when you have kids. ''[kisses her on the forehead]'' Goodnight, kid.
** There's some FridgeBrilliance in the relationship if you know that Ziva is the age Gibbs' daughter would have been if she hadn't been killed.
** To a lesser extent, Gibbs to Tony. Tony does care for his real father (even after finding out he was/is a con artist) but doesn't really need his approval. Disappointing Gibbs is something that bothers him immensely, and when Gibbs gives him a SoProudOfYou comment, you can see Tony practically swell.
* ''Series/OnceUponATime'': [[Literature/RedRidingHood Red]] was obviously [[RaisedByGrandparents raised by her grandmother]], but Granny is also implied to be a parental substitute for Literature/{{Snow White|and the Seven Dwarfs}}.
** Hook evolves into one for Henry, doing things like taking him sailing while Emma's out investigating the going-ons in town, and apparently Henry prefers hanging out with Hook than his "boring" grandparents. The symbolism is even clearer when you take into account [[UnresolvedSexualTension Hook and Emma having feelings for each other]].
** Hook was also this for [[spoiler:Henry's actual father, Baelfire.]] [[TakeOurWordForIt It's a long story]].
* ''Series/RaisingHope'': Sabrina takes on the role of Hope's mother (who's a notorious serial killer) to the point of Hope calling Sabrina "mommy".
* In ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures'', it is revealed that Sarah Jane's parents died when she was only three months old, and she was raised by her Aunt Lavinia. Exactly how much of a mother figure Lavinia was is somewhat debatable, as Sarah Jane once described her as "always so busy, never in one place long enough to lick a stamp". It can be argued, of course, that that doesn't necessarily mean that she was uncaring or uninvolved. In fact, the pilot for the failed spin-off series ''K9 & Company'' gives us a small glimpse into their relationship, and they do generally seem to care about one another (and has Lavinia use [[NotSoDifferent exactly that phrase to describe Sarah Jane]]).
** There's no denying that Maria and her mother love each other dearly, but Chrissie is, to put it bluntly, a massive flake. Sarah Jane winds up picking up the slack and becomes the mother-figure Maria needs.
* Series 3 makes it rather obvious that Mycroft was this to the [[InsufferableGenius titular character]] of ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'', since their actual parents were very well-meaning but out of their depth with two prodigy children. Interestingly for this trope, it's also implied that Mycroft wasn't necessarily a particularly ''good'' parental substitute. Most likely at least partially because [[AloofBigBrother Mycroft considers himself to be smarter than Sherlock, and Sherlock considers Mycroft to be smarter than him]].
** The series itself plays it straight with Mrs. Hudson, to the point of her [[TeamMom being treated like a mom]]. Sherlock and John ''definitely'' see her as this. Do not mess with her.
** Also, surprisingly, John could possibly count as one for Sherlock, since he ''has'' [[GoodIsNotSoft killed TWO VILLAINS in cold blood and threatened death on one of them when said knucklehead grabs him in a headlock in an attempt to strangle him or snap his neck]]. He also ''taught'' Sherlock about friendship, and his [[MoralityPet presence humanizes Sherlock]] which, in turn [[UndyingLoyalty prompts Sherlock to fake his on death for him.]]
** Also, despite the fact Sherlock's ''younger'' than his friend, he could be seen as one for John, since it's most likely obvious his parents died, though it's possible they were alive in his birth and all that. [[FridgeBrilliance Sherlock's confidence could've rubbed off on John.]]
** Plus, [[CoolBigSis Mary]] could be seen as this (in a way) since she seems to understand Sherlock as much as [[LivingEmotionalCrutch his best friend]] does. [[BewaretheNiceOnes And she's the one who shot Sherlock.]] Basically? Don't screw around ''with an assassin from the CIA.'' You WILL get your rear end kicked if you do. Oh, and, despite the fact that John is a quiet, nice, guy you REALLY don't want to provoke him into messing you up if you mess with his friend. [[BadassBookworm And he's very capable of doing it.]]
* ''Series/StargateSG1'': Samantha Carter acts as a mother-figure for Cassandra. Even after Dr. Fraisier adopts Cassandra, the girl retains a strong attachment to Sam. O'Niell also acts as a second father-figure for Skaara (though it might be more fair to say that Skaara acts as a surrogate son for O'Neill, whose [[spoiler:son accidentally killed himself with O'Neill's gun]].
* On ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'', little Naomi Wildman's father is 70,000 light years away when she is born, so several of the male crewmembers try to fill a paternal role in her life, usually her godfather Neelix.
** Captain Janeway serves as a positive parent to young Kes, rehumaned Seven of Nine, B'Elanna Torres (whose father abandoned her), Tom Paris (ditto, just not physically), and Harry Kim (made even more pronounced in "Endgame").
*** Lampshaded in "Barge of the Dead" (where B'Elanna's mother appears in a vision wearing a Starfleet captain's uniform) and "Dark Frontier", where Janeway "tucks Seven into bed" (plugs her into her Borg alcove) after she [[strike:wins the custody battle]] rescues Seven from the Borg Queen.
** Seven of Nine later became this to four [[CreepyChild creepy-ass Borg children]] they rescued with variable success. Their interaction was as much about Seven's continued CharacterDevelopment as the kids', if not more.
* Leroy's mother in ''Still Series/OpenAllHours'' abandoned him with his probable father Granville. Pretty much all the female customers of a certain age seem to be his mother-figures, especially Nurse Gladys.
* ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody'': Mr. Mosbey is this for [[RichBitch London]]. It's discussed and shown throughout both series that he's been the main parental figure in her life, with her distant parents and interchangeable nannies. In the episode where London is learning to drive, we find out that Moseby actually taught her how to walk as well as tying her shoes, riding a bike and roller-skating. She then comments that he has been in the Tipton family album more than her father or any of his ex-wives. They exchange the occasional tender moment when London is missing her parents. Other characters notice this too:
-->'''London:''' Why should I get something for Moseby? I mean, what has he ever done for me?\\
'''Bailey:''' ''[{{Beat}}]'' Raised you like you were his own daughter?\\
'''London:''' Look at me. I'm selfish and spoiled. He did a terrible job. ''[{{beat}}]'' Fine. But tomorrow I'm gonna be extra selfish!
* Since John Winchester of ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' spent a lot of time away from his boys when they were young and [[spoiler:died at the beginning of the show's second season]], fellow hunter [[OnlySaneMan Bobby Singer]] has served as Sam and Dean's adviser, backup, and primary father figure throughout the series. Dean even says on two occasions (in season three's "Dream A Little Dream of Me" and season four's "Lazarus Rising") that Bobby's been like a father to him.
-->'''Dean:''' ''[to Bobby]'' You're about the closest thing I have to a father. ("Lazarus Rising")
** For his part, Bobby seems to see the boys as [[LikeASonToMe surrogate sons]], saying in the season three finale, "No Rest for the Wicked", that "family don't end with blood".
** [[CoolOldGuy Bobby]] seems to have been this to an extent even when the boys were kids. He is, for example, the only person who ever took Dean out to play ball, and it's shown that Dean and Sam knew him as "Uncle Bobby" when they were young. Interestingly, before Bobby's introduction at the end of season one, they had spent an unspecified amount of time estranged from one another (apparently Bobby had chased John off his property with a shotgun).
** In Season 6, when Sam wants to avoid [[spoiler:regaining his soul, which he fears will destroy him by bringing back memories of his time in Hell]], he is told that he can prevent this by committing a grievous sin, specifically patricide. Literal patricide is obviously out of the question, but Sam is reassured that "it needs the father's blood, but the ''father'' need not ''be'' blood", leading him to chase Bobby violently through his own house in the attempt to commit the murder. (Keep in mind that Sam [[CameBackWrong isn't himself at the time]]. He knows enough to identify Bobby as his father figure, but not enough to be horrified by the thought of killing him.) The episode also gave us the hilarious FridgeHorror line "Nobody kills me in my house but me!"
** When they find themselves caring for a baby and have to come up with a name for it impromptu, Dean decides to call it "Bobby" and Sam decides to call it "John". In an effort to not confuse the woman asking about the baby, they hastily restate that the baby's name is "Bobby John".
** Sam also sees Dean as a father figure. As stated above, John Winchester used to disappear for weeks at a time, leaving young Dean in charge of little Sam. It's no wonder Dean treats Sam like his kid sometimes, calling him "Sammy" and reminiscing fondly on the days Sam was smaller and dependent on him.
* ''Series/TeenWolf'' has this. Melissa [=McCall=] often acts like a mother to Stiles, the best friend of her son Scott, and isn't at all surprised that he has a key to her house. Stiles, whose own mother passed away when he was a child, even calls Melissa 'mom' without realizing it after he's given a sedative and is about to fall asleep.
** Meanwhile on Scott's end, Stiles's dad is the closest thing Scott has to a father figure, since his own walked out. At one point Stiles's dad even quips that Scott was 'the son he should have had.' Given Scott and Stiles consider themselves brothers it's not surprising they're happy to share their respective parental figures.
** Melissa also becomes this to Isaac, and basically adopts him in Season 3. [[spoiler: Isaac also gains a father substitute in Chris, his girlfriend Allison's Dad and stays with him after she's killed.]]
** Played for laughs when Scott's first beta werewolf Liam joins the [[TrueCompanions pack]]. Despite the fact Liam actually ''has'' parents and is only a few years younger than the rest of the characters, [[HeterosexualLifePartners Scott and]] [[LikeAnOldMarriedCouple Stiles]] basically end up co-parenting him, complete with Stiles telling him it's his bed time and Scott giving inspiring pep talks.
* ''Series/TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles'' featured several father figures for John Connor, including Charlie Dixon and Derek Reese. (Of course, since Derek is John's uncle, his falling into such a role is kind of natural.)
* Kitty Forman and Red Forman on ''Series/That70sShow'' filled in as parents to all of Eric's friends to different degrees, especially Hyde whose own parents abandoned him. They took Hyde in and made him go to school and gave him the love and affection he never had growing up. Red was a better parent to other's people kids than his own though, constantly criticizing and frightening his own son while spoiling his evil daughter.
* In ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'', we see Damon being a fatherly substitute to Jeremy, even taking guardianship over him while Jeremy's sister Elena is at college. Alaric is this for Jeremy as well.
** The argument can be made that Elijah (and Klaus to a lesser extent) are this for their younger siblings Rebekah and Kol. They are also PromotionToParent due to their parents being both dead and horrible
* In ''Series/TheWalkingDead'', Michonne takes over as a surrogate mother for Carl and Judith after Lori's passing. It becomes official in Season 6 when she starts [[spoiler: a romantic relationship with Rick]] and Carl admits that she's effectively [[HappilyAdopted become a second mother]] to Judith and him.
* ''Series/Warehouse13'': Artie is, to quote Pete, "so much like [Claudia's] dad it's kinda annoying."
* President Bartlet is a parental substitute to Charlie on ''Series/TheWestWing''. Bartlet and his chief of staff Leo are both parental substitutes of sorts to Josh (even though he's an adult when his father dies).
* Peter to Neal in ''Series/WhiteCollar''. Peter is always giving Neal "shape up" lectures, but, at the same time, has affection for and protective feelings toward him, and Neal starts looking to Peter for guidance.
-->'''Neal:''' ''[to [[spoiler:his recently-returned dad]]]'' He's been more of a father to me than you ever were!
* ''Series/TheXFiles'': In the first season, mysterious informant Deep Throat is something of a father substitute for Mulder even though Mulder's father is still alive at this point.
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** This is further enhanced in Season 2, when Skye's ''actual'' father The Doctor (aka [[spoiler: Cal Zorbo/Mr. Hyde]]) shows up. While he desperately tries to connect with her, she rightfully calls him out as a monster (which he [[SelfDeprecation regretfully admits to]]), and clings even closer to Coulson as a result. To say that this [[BerserkButton pisses the Doctor off]] is [[UnstoppableRage an understatement]].
* In ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', ManChild Sheldon often views Penny as a substitute for his mother (who is alive, just lives away from him); he wants her to take care of him when he's sick, or sing him a lullaby. This is especially emphasized in the episode "The Guitarist Amplification", when Sheldon runs away to the comic book store, because he can't bear Leonard and Penny fighting, and Penny makes it up to him by buying him a robot and a comic book.
** His reasoning for not standing watching them fight is because it reminds him of when his parents' fight, which truamatized him. Given how his dad would ''throw dishes'' and apparently his mother would ''bake glass shards in his food'' as retaliation, it's tragically understandable why the conflict causes him to revert.
** Leonard takes on a fatherly role at times: taking care of his transportation needs, shopping for food and clothing, making sure he goes to bed on time and is often the one he goes to for advice on relationship matters. When he and Penny were dating they served as surrogate parents, when they broke up Sheldon was like a child in a divorce. That led to a lot of DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything dialogue as Leonard and Penny renew their friendship for Sheldon's sake.
*** Especially the case whenever the changes in status quo had voerwhelmed Sheldon to where he needed to go on his own to recover. Leonard was utterly worried and it took Penny to calm him down and to trust Sheldon. Later, Leonard is the one whi picks up Sheldon up soon.
** Sheldon's mother tends to be this for Leonard; for all that she tends to be TheFundamentalist and is [[BookDumb not particularly well-educated]], she is nonetheless a [[CloserToEarth much more loving and sympathetic figure]] than Leonard's own mother, who treats Leonard as an errant test subject. Likewise, Sheldon sees Leonard's mother this way, as the two of them have much more in common with each other than with Leonard.
* Sweets from ''Series/{{Bones}}'' was adopted by an elderly couple, but both died before he began working with Bones and Booth. After Season 4, he begins to see Booth as a father figure and Bones as something like a sister.
* ''Series/BreakingBad'' has one of the darkest examples possible, to the point of possibly being a subversion. Due to his rocky relationship with his parents, [[AntiVillain Jesse Pinkman]] constantly seeks the approval of his former high school chemistry teacher and current partner in the meth business, [[VillainProtagonist Walter White]]. Walter does truly care for Jesse, as he always goes out of his way to protect him, but mixes this care with horrible psychological abuse, emotional blackmail, and manipulation.
* Capt. Holt is this to Jake in ''Series/BrooklynNineNine''. There's even one ColdOpening in which Jake calls Holt "dad" by accident, much to the amusement of the entire precinct.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
** Buffy's father has little contact with her, even after her mother dies, but Giles serves as a surrogate father. In "Helpless", another character describes Giles as having "a father's love" for Buffy. Especially noticeable when a spell causes Buffy to decide to get married and she ask Giles to give her away. In the comics, Giles does for Faith what he did for Buffy.
** Willow and Xander are similar, as well. Willow's parents are away for months at a time and have virtually abandoned her, rarely seeing her at all. Xander's parents are drunk and too busy yelling at each other to notice him most of the time. Giles often serves as a surrogate father to them both. It makes Giles' somewhat dismissive and snippy treatment of Xander in early seasons kind of upsetting--for instance, in a season 3 episode, he is angry at Xander for sleeping during "Oz-watch", but later seems to find it almost endearing when Buffy does the same.
** Giles is also the only real adult in Dawn's life after her mother's death, and he clearly has a fatherly role in her life as well. His TeamDad status amongst a group of kids without parents makes it pretty easy for him to end up in this role a lot.
** The Mayor takes a similar role for Faith after her FaceHeelTurn.
** Maggie Walsh was a surrogate mother to Riley and Adam; the latter even refers to her as "mother".
* Gideon to Reid in ''Series/CriminalMinds''. [[spoiler:So when Gideon quits, Reid experiences the second loss of a father in his life]].
* Gil Grissom to Warrick Brown on ''Series/{{CSI}}''. Warrick talks a lot about it in the video found after his death. "If I could have chosen my father, I would have chosen Gil Grissom" or something close to that.
* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
** Ace's father is never mentioned, and she has a bad relationship with her mother, so the Doctor ends up becoming a father figure to her.
** Various incarnations of the Doctor could be considered a Mad Uncle substitute for a lot of his companions. Even some of the most cynical, like Jack Harkness, want desperately to impress him and live up to his idea of them.
** The Twelfth Doctor's relationship with his last companion Bill, an orphan, is like a fun grandad or a cool teacher. Bill even compares him to her foster mother.
* ''Series/FallingSkies'': [[NotSoStoic Weaver]] [[LikeASonToMe to]] [[ChildSoldier Jimmy]]. While its evidenced throughout the first seasons, from things like Weaver comforting him when he was nearly killed by a Skitter to defending his various screw ups, it really shows when [[spoiler: Jimmy [[AnyoneCanDie dies]] in the third episode of the second season and Weaver bonds with Ben, who blames himself for his death due to being there, with the two talking about what Jimmy would have wanted and sharing happy memories about him]].
** Pope also offered to do the same with Tom's kids as incentive to get Tom to leave, but as [[AxeCrazy it]] [[JerkAss is]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Pope]], [[TheSociopath afterall]], its not wise to take this as truth.
* ''Series/FamilyMatters'': Steve Urkel's parents, in addition to being TheGhost, are abusive, and Steve regularly mentions how much open disdain they show for him. This is part of the reason he always goes over to the Winslow house. Carl Winslow is more of a father to Steve than Steve's father is, even if Carl doesn't usually want him around.
* In ''Series/TheFlash2014'', Dr. Harrison Wells is this to Cisco Ramon. Cisco is estranged from his own family, who never understood his interest in the sciences, and as a result craves the approval of his boss and mentor who actually understands him. For his part, Wells is very fond of Cisco and considers him to be [[LikeASonToMe like the son he never had.]] [[spoiler: Unfortunately, even this paternal love is not enough to prevent Wells from killing Cisco in the alternate timeline where he discovered his true identity.]]
** Barry Allen has a second father in Joe West, who raised him after his father wrongly went to jail for the murder of his mother. He even [[spoiler: calls him 'Dad' before embarking on his mission to save his mum via time travel.]] Additionally, while Barry isn't quite as close to Dr. Wells as Cisco is, Wells is yet another paternal figure in his life.
* In ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'', Uncle Phil is a better father figure to Will than Will's own deadbeat dad ever was. The only episode when Will's dad makes an appearance cements this. At the end of the series, Will even admits that he looked up to Phil and wanted to follow his example.
* On ''Series/FridayNightLights'', Matt Sarecen sees Coach Taylor as this. Matt has a father, but he's a much better soldier than parent.
* ''Series/FrontierCircus'': In "The Inheritance", Casey 'inherits' custody of a pair of almost adult children.
* ''Series/FullHouse'' is somewhat based in this trope. Uncle Jesse and Joey move in to help Danny raise his daughters after the [[MissingMom mom dies in a car accident]], thus becoming additional father figures in the girls' lives. Later, Jesse gets married and Aunt Becky takes on the role of mom substitute.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
** Davos Seaworth was the closest thing to a decent parental figure Shireen Baratheon had -- her actual parents being crazy Lord of Light zealots who spent a lot of time burning people when things weren't going well for them during the War of Five Kings. He admits that [[LikeASonToMe he loved her as if she were his own child]] [[spoiler:when confronting Melisandre over her role in Shireen being burned as a sacrifice.]]
** Osha eventually becomes one for Bran and Rickon, growing extremely protective of them.
* In ''Series/GilmoreGirls'' Luke is this to his nephew, Jess, after Jess's [[ParentalAbandonment mother]] sent him to live with Luke.
* ''Literature/GossipGirl'': Dorota is more of a mother to Blair than Eleanor Waldorf is. Lily tries to be this for Chuck, but she's barely a parent to her biological children, so... A good moment that demonstrates this trope is when she told [[spoiler:Bart Bass, back from the dead]], "Charles is mine, too".
** Lampshaded in season three:
--->'''Cyrus:''' Dorota is family. She practically ''raised'' Blair. ''[death glare from Eleanor]''
* In ''Series/{{Gotham}}'', Alfred Pennyworth and Jim Gordon share this role for the young Bruce Wayne as the show goes into the topic, rarely discussed in the comics, of what kind of child-rearing would create the Franchise/{{Batman}}. As an ex-marine turned butler suddenly forced into the role of sole caretaker of an emotionally damaged child billionaire, Alfred is, with the best of intentions, not really equipped to take care of Bruce. He spoils Bruce by letting him indulge in his obsession regarding the deaths of his parents, and teaches Bruce to solve his problems with violence. Gordon, meanwhile, as the only ByTheBookCop, acts as moral center for Bruce. Both of them inadvertently instill a ToBeLawfulOrGood mindset favoring good in Bruce, since Alfred does not think highly of the police and Gordon's investigation into the Wayne murders has met with limited success.
* In ''Series/{{Humans}}'' at first glance Leo and Anita seem like love interests, that is until TheReveal that Leo sees Anita as his mother and she in turn loves him as her son. They look of similar age but Anita is a sentient robot who has raised Leo from childhood.
* At the end of the ''Series/ImInTheBand'' episode "Lord of the Weasels", Derek Jupiter, the lead singer of Iron Weasel, is considered to be a father figure to the band's teen guitarist, Tripp Campbell.
* On ''Series/{{Leverage}}'', [[GentlemanThief Archie]] was this to [[ClassyCatBurglar Parker]] as a teenager, even calling himself her father. [[TeamDad Nate]] and [[TeamMom Sophie]] also have elements of this towards both Parker and Hardison.
* In ''Series/{{LOST}}'', after [[spoiler:Claire disappears and fails to escape the island with them]], Kate ends up adopting her son.
* Gaius for Merlin on ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}''. He does meet his real father briefly, but Balinor dies before the episode is over. And his mom is still in Ealdor.
* ''Series/{{NCIS}}'': Gibbs is pretty explicitly this to Ziva:
** During the episode "Dead Air", Tony and [=McGee=] have been teasing her about not knowing much about baseball. At the end of the episode, this exchange ensues:
--->'''[=McGee=]:''' Well, look at this! She ''do'' know a little somethin' 'bout baseball, huh?\\
'''Ziva:''' Yeah. My father taught me.\\
'''Gibbs:''' ''[face-splitting grin]''
** Gibbs expresses his side at the end of the episode "Safe Harbor", after giving her some fatherly advice.
--->'''Ziva:''' Are you lonely, Gibbs?\\
'''Gibbs:''' You're never lonely when you have kids. ''[kisses her on the forehead]'' Goodnight, kid.
** There's some FridgeBrilliance in the relationship if you know that Ziva is the age Gibbs' daughter would have been if she hadn't been killed.
** To a lesser extent, Gibbs to Tony. Tony does care for his real father (even after finding out he was/is a con artist) but doesn't really need his approval. Disappointing Gibbs is something that bothers him immensely, and when Gibbs gives him a SoProudOfYou comment, you can see Tony practically swell.
* ''Series/OnceUponATime'': [[Literature/RedRidingHood Red]] was obviously [[RaisedByGrandparents raised by her grandmother]], but Granny is also implied to be a parental substitute for Literature/{{Snow White|and the Seven Dwarfs}}.
** Hook evolves into one for Henry, doing things like taking him sailing while Emma's out investigating the going-ons in town, and apparently Henry prefers hanging out with Hook than his "boring" grandparents. The symbolism is even clearer when you take into account [[UnresolvedSexualTension Hook and Emma having feelings for each other]].
** Hook was also this for [[spoiler:Henry's actual father, Baelfire.]] [[TakeOurWordForIt It's a long story]].
* ''Series/RaisingHope'': Sabrina takes on the role of Hope's mother (who's a notorious serial killer) to the point of Hope calling Sabrina "mommy".
* In ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures'', it is revealed that Sarah Jane's parents died when she was only three months old, and she was raised by her Aunt Lavinia. Exactly how much of a mother figure Lavinia was is somewhat debatable, as Sarah Jane once described her as "always so busy, never in one place long enough to lick a stamp". It can be argued, of course, that that doesn't necessarily mean that she was uncaring or uninvolved. In fact, the pilot for the failed spin-off series ''K9 & Company'' gives us a small glimpse into their relationship, and they do generally seem to care about one another (and has Lavinia use [[NotSoDifferent exactly that phrase to describe Sarah Jane]]).
** There's no denying that Maria and her mother love each other dearly, but Chrissie is, to put it bluntly, a massive flake. Sarah Jane winds up picking up the slack and becomes the mother-figure Maria needs.
* Series 3 makes it rather obvious that Mycroft was this to the [[InsufferableGenius titular character]] of ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'', since their actual parents were very well-meaning but out of their depth with two prodigy children. Interestingly for this trope, it's also implied that Mycroft wasn't necessarily a particularly ''good'' parental substitute. Most likely at least partially because [[AloofBigBrother Mycroft considers himself to be smarter than Sherlock, and Sherlock considers Mycroft to be smarter than him]].
** The series itself plays it straight with Mrs. Hudson, to the point of her [[TeamMom being treated like a mom]]. Sherlock and John ''definitely'' see her as this. Do not mess with her.
** Also, surprisingly, John could possibly count as one for Sherlock, since he ''has'' [[GoodIsNotSoft killed TWO VILLAINS in cold blood and threatened death on one of them when said knucklehead grabs him in a headlock in an attempt to strangle him or snap his neck]]. He also ''taught'' Sherlock about friendship, and his [[MoralityPet presence humanizes Sherlock]] which, in turn [[UndyingLoyalty prompts Sherlock to fake his on death for him.]]
** Also, despite the fact Sherlock's ''younger'' than his friend, he could be seen as one for John, since it's most likely obvious his parents died, though it's possible they were alive in his birth and all that. [[FridgeBrilliance Sherlock's confidence could've rubbed off on John.]]
** Plus, [[CoolBigSis Mary]] could be seen as this (in a way) since she seems to understand Sherlock as much as [[LivingEmotionalCrutch his best friend]] does. [[BewaretheNiceOnes And she's the one who shot Sherlock.]] Basically? Don't screw around ''with an assassin from the CIA.'' You WILL get your rear end kicked if you do. Oh, and, despite the fact that John is a quiet, nice, guy you REALLY don't want to provoke him into messing you up if you mess with his friend. [[BadassBookworm And he's very capable of doing it.]]
* ''Series/StargateSG1'': Samantha Carter acts as a mother-figure for Cassandra. Even after Dr. Fraisier adopts Cassandra, the girl retains a strong attachment to Sam. O'Niell also acts as a second father-figure for Skaara (though it might be more fair to say that Skaara acts as a surrogate son for O'Neill, whose [[spoiler:son accidentally killed himself with O'Neill's gun]].
* On ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'', little Naomi Wildman's father is 70,000 light years away when she is born, so several of the male crewmembers try to fill a paternal role in her life, usually her godfather Neelix.
** Captain Janeway serves as a positive parent to young Kes, rehumaned Seven of Nine, B'Elanna Torres (whose father abandoned her), Tom Paris (ditto, just not physically), and Harry Kim (made even more pronounced in "Endgame").
*** Lampshaded in "Barge of the Dead" (where B'Elanna's mother appears in a vision wearing a Starfleet captain's uniform) and "Dark Frontier", where Janeway "tucks Seven into bed" (plugs her into her Borg alcove) after she [[strike:wins the custody battle]] rescues Seven from the Borg Queen.
** Seven of Nine later became this to four [[CreepyChild creepy-ass Borg children]] they rescued with variable success. Their interaction was as much about Seven's continued CharacterDevelopment as the kids', if not more.
* Leroy's mother in ''Still Series/OpenAllHours'' abandoned him with his probable father Granville. Pretty much all the female customers of a certain age seem to be his mother-figures, especially Nurse Gladys.
* ''Series/TheSuiteLifeOfZackAndCody'': Mr. Mosbey is this for [[RichBitch London]]. It's discussed and shown throughout both series that he's been the main parental figure in her life, with her distant parents and interchangeable nannies. In the episode where London is learning to drive, we find out that Moseby actually taught her how to walk as well as tying her shoes, riding a bike and roller-skating. She then comments that he has been in the Tipton family album more than her father or any of his ex-wives. They exchange the occasional tender moment when London is missing her parents. Other characters notice this too:
-->'''London:''' Why should I get something for Moseby? I mean, what has he ever done for me?\\
'''Bailey:''' ''[{{Beat}}]'' Raised you like you were his own daughter?\\
'''London:''' Look at me. I'm selfish and spoiled. He did a terrible job. ''[{{beat}}]'' Fine. But tomorrow I'm gonna be extra selfish!
* Since John Winchester of ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' spent a lot of time away from his boys when they were young and [[spoiler:died at the beginning of the show's second season]], fellow hunter [[OnlySaneMan Bobby Singer]] has served as Sam and Dean's adviser, backup, and primary father figure throughout the series. Dean even says on two occasions (in season three's "Dream A Little Dream of Me" and season four's "Lazarus Rising") that Bobby's been like a father to him.
-->'''Dean:''' ''[to Bobby]'' You're about the closest thing I have to a father. ("Lazarus Rising")
** For his part, Bobby seems to see the boys as [[LikeASonToMe surrogate sons]], saying in the season three finale, "No Rest for the Wicked", that "family don't end with blood".
** [[CoolOldGuy Bobby]] seems to have been this to an extent even when the boys were kids. He is, for example, the only person who ever took Dean out to play ball, and it's shown that Dean and Sam knew him as "Uncle Bobby" when they were young. Interestingly, before Bobby's introduction at the end of season one, they had spent an unspecified amount of time estranged from one another (apparently Bobby had chased John off his property with a shotgun).
** In Season 6, when Sam wants to avoid [[spoiler:regaining his soul, which he fears will destroy him by bringing back memories of his time in Hell]], he is told that he can prevent this by committing a grievous sin, specifically patricide. Literal patricide is obviously out of the question, but Sam is reassured that "it needs the father's blood, but the ''father'' need not ''be'' blood", leading him to chase Bobby violently through his own house in the attempt to commit the murder. (Keep in mind that Sam [[CameBackWrong isn't himself at the time]]. He knows enough to identify Bobby as his father figure, but not enough to be horrified by the thought of killing him.) The episode also gave us the hilarious FridgeHorror line "Nobody kills me in my house but me!"
** When they find themselves caring for a baby and have to come up with a name for it impromptu, Dean decides to call it "Bobby" and Sam decides to call it "John". In an effort to not confuse the woman asking about the baby, they hastily restate that the baby's name is "Bobby John".
** Sam also sees Dean as a father figure. As stated above, John Winchester used to disappear for weeks at a time, leaving young Dean in charge of little Sam. It's no wonder Dean treats Sam like his kid sometimes, calling him "Sammy" and reminiscing fondly on the days Sam was smaller and dependent on him.
* ''Series/TeenWolf'' has this. Melissa [=McCall=] often acts like a mother to Stiles, the best friend of her son Scott, and isn't at all surprised that he has a key to her house. Stiles, whose own mother passed away when he was a child, even calls Melissa 'mom' without realizing it after he's given a sedative and is about to fall asleep.
** Meanwhile on Scott's end, Stiles's dad is the closest thing Scott has to a father figure, since his own walked out. At one point Stiles's dad even quips that Scott was 'the son he should have had.' Given Scott and Stiles consider themselves brothers it's not surprising they're happy to share their respective parental figures.
** Melissa also becomes this to Isaac, and basically adopts him in Season 3. [[spoiler: Isaac also gains a father substitute in Chris, his girlfriend Allison's Dad and stays with him after she's killed.]]
** Played for laughs when Scott's first beta werewolf Liam joins the [[TrueCompanions pack]]. Despite the fact Liam actually ''has'' parents and is only a few years younger than the rest of the characters, [[HeterosexualLifePartners Scott and]] [[LikeAnOldMarriedCouple Stiles]] basically end up co-parenting him, complete with Stiles telling him it's his bed time and Scott giving inspiring pep talks.
* ''Series/TerminatorTheSarahConnorChronicles'' featured several father figures for John Connor, including Charlie Dixon and Derek Reese. (Of course, since Derek is John's uncle, his falling into such a role is kind of natural.)
* Kitty Forman and Red Forman on ''Series/That70sShow'' filled in as parents to all of Eric's friends to different degrees, especially Hyde whose own parents abandoned him. They took Hyde in and made him go to school and gave him the love and affection he never had growing up. Red was a better parent to other's people kids than his own though, constantly criticizing and frightening his own son while spoiling his evil daughter.
* In ''Series/TheVampireDiaries'', we see Damon being a fatherly substitute to Jeremy, even taking guardianship over him while Jeremy's sister Elena is at college. Alaric is this for Jeremy as well.
** The argument can be made that Elijah (and Klaus to a lesser extent) are this for their younger siblings Rebekah and Kol. They are also PromotionToParent due to their parents being both dead and horrible
* In ''Series/TheWalkingDead'', Michonne takes over as a surrogate mother for Carl and Judith after Lori's passing. It becomes official in Season 6 when she starts [[spoiler: a romantic relationship with Rick]] and Carl admits that she's effectively [[HappilyAdopted become a second mother]] to Judith and him.
* ''Series/Warehouse13'': Artie is, to quote Pete, "so much like [Claudia's] dad it's kinda annoying."
* President Bartlet is a parental substitute to Charlie on ''Series/TheWestWing''. Bartlet and his chief of staff Leo are both parental substitutes of sorts to Josh (even though he's an adult when his father dies).
* Peter to Neal in ''Series/WhiteCollar''. Peter is always giving Neal "shape up" lectures, but, at the same time, has affection for and protective feelings toward him, and Neal starts looking to Peter for guidance.
-->'''Neal:''' ''[to [[spoiler:his recently-returned dad]]]'' He's been more of a father to me than you ever were!
* ''Series/TheXFiles'': In the first season, mysterious informant Deep Throat is something of a father substitute for Mulder even though Mulder's father is still alive at this point.
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