The most wonderful thing about Freeform's fantasy show, 'Shadowhunters,' is the series encompasses characters, emotions, and issues of all kinds. It also features one of the most poignant representations of that happens to be the alpha werewolf we have grown to love and adore in the last three years - Luke Garroway. 

Played by the ever-so-talented Isaiah Mustafa, and based on Cassandra Clare's bestselling young adult novel 'The Mortal Instruments,' Luke's character is a father figure at his finest. Yet, what sets him apart from most father figure stereotypes we have seen on screen is the fact that this character - in all his skilled glory - is still fighting battles of his own. As much as Luke is the voice of reason and guidance among the other main characters of the show, he is still a mentor who actually understands them despite their differences in opinion and age.

The phenomenal thing about Luke is the tragic past he bears, always being the one riddled with loss and compromise, ensuring the peace and security of others. He is also one of the few characters whose plot took a downward arc going from being a demon-slaying Shadowhunter to a Downworlder after he became a werewolf; but his skills, resilience, and dedication also helped him elevate to the ranks of an alpha - the highest position in a pack of wolves - thereby allowing the character to come full circle.

Even in his early days as a Shadowhunter, the sole reason Luke agreed to be a part of the infamous 'Circle' was because he assumed their ideas about the betterment of the world were similar. His goals and ambitions were driven towards more nobler motives than his peers; something that proves to be his bane, but never once does the character of Luke Garroway falter in this sense of idealism.

The story gets even sadder when his initiation into the life of a werewolf is considered. Luke was one of the best Shadowhunters of his time, and it was after being thrown into a pack of werewolves under Valentine Morgenstern's false suspicions, that he turned into the half man-half wolf mythical creature. Granted it was after a lot of coaxing from the love of his life, Jocelyn, that he learned to accept his new, 'turned' fate, but never once does Luke look back on it after that.

The fact that he also chose to father a child, Simon Lewis (Alberto Rosende), at such a young age because the boy had lost his father, proves further why this man - despite his vicious werewolf tendencies - is one of the most wholesome father figures on TV ever.

But calling him just a mere parental figure, or counsellor, or even guide would be a rather superficial label to slap on a character that is so multifaceted. His character is not superhuman with absolutely no flaws at all. Luke is relatable to anyone struggling to do right by others while also bearing the brunt of everything and that is what makes his journey such an interesting one to watch.

As he learns to cope with a dual life, as a werewolf and isolated in the mundane world to avoid conflicts, his journey isn't entirely smooth or hassle free. But even then, he cannot seem to drop his paternal instincts, as he draws in the trust of similar fellow lost werewolves, Alaric, and Maia Roberts (Alisha Wainwright.)

As he himself meanders through battles with acceptance and regret, never once does Luke's caregiving instincts falter. This is, perhaps, what helped him elevate his ranks from a mere fighter to a leader, even without wanting it.

In his share of mistakes, Luke is a staunch idealist to a fault, and clearly has issues connecting priorities with consequences. Luke's idealism, at certain points, leaves him blinded to the simple facts of life. With priorities as strictly set as Luke's, sometimes his gestures come off as biased and favorable towards a single person rather than the large collective he is supposed to be guiding and acting as a mentor to. His ideal priorities left him driven by a misplaced sense of vengeance after Jocelyn's death - something that proved to alter his life significantly. 

Luke's constantly evolving capabilities of guidance are also exhibited in the form of his faith in the Downworlders. He insists they are equally potent and capable on their own and have never requested the Shadowhunters to come to their rescue. On acquiring the reigns of the pack, he implements changes in rules and protocols the pack members must follow - which was also the first time something like that had happened. It is this sense of diligent conviction and a soft spot for everybody looking at him for guidance that makes him more than just a comic relief nanny for bratty New York teens. 

Luke Garroway is a father figure, an idealist, and a mentor among other things, and those are titles he has rightfully earned.