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Able Seaman
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Ben Jackson

loyal impulsive protective compassionate reflective determined brave resolute practical
Ben Jackson, an able seaman from 1966 London, joins the Second Doctor as a TARDIS companion alongside Polly Wright and Jamie McCrimmon. Street-smart and physically tough, he relies on quick thinking and practical skills to confront alien threats and navigate crises. His loyalty to friends drives bold actions against authority and danger, while his Cockney grit tempers a deep yearning for normalcy that ultimately leads him back to his original life.
495 appearances
Royal Navy Operations
Also known as: Ben, the other stranger

Ben Jackson's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

495 moments
Season 3 (49) Season 4 (446)
S3E42 · The War Machines Episode 1
Polly challenges Ben’s emotional withdrawal

Despondent → Frustrated → Protective rage → Assertive (post-conflict).

Ben begins the event in despondent withdrawal, dismissing Polly’s attempts to cheer him up until she forces him to articulate his frustration over his shore posting. His emotional dam breaks …

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S3E42 · The War Machines Episode 1
Ben defends Polly from Flash’s aggression

Despondent and frustrated, shifting to protective rage when Polly is harassed, then defiant as he asserts his dominance over Flash.

Ben sits despondently at the bar, initially unresponsive to Polly’s teasing. His frustration over his shore posting boils over when Flash harasses Polly, leading him to intervene with disciplined military …

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S3E42 · The War Machines Episode 1
Ben’s Intervention Exposes Team Fractures

Despondent initially, then assertive and protective, with underlying frustration

Ben sits despondently at the bar, nursing his frustration over his shore posting. When Flash harasses Polly, his military training kicks in—he intervenes with controlled aggression, swiftly subduing Flash and …

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S3E42 · The War Machines Episode 1
Dodo’s WOTAN-induced distress surfaces

Cheerful and immersed in the night’s social energy, his enthusiasm blinds him to Dodo’s withdrawal—his goal is to keep the group’s fun going, regardless of individual discomforts.

Ben, the group’s eager host, offers to buy another round of drinks and suggests dancing again, his focus entirely on the night’s entertainment. He dismisses Dodo’s headache with a casual …

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S3E42 · The War Machines Episode 1
Dodo’s unnoticed distress at the Inferno Club

Upbeat and slightly detached, enjoying the club’s energy and the group’s dynamic. His emotional state is one of carefree enjoyment, which blinds him to Dodo’s subtle signs of discomfort.

Ben, still riding the high of dancing, cheerfully suggests another round of drinks and a dance, completely dismissing Dodo’s mention of a headache. His focus is on the group’s fun, …

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S3E42 · The War Machines Episode 1
Ben and Polly debate Dodo’s disappearance

Playfully teasing but concerned, masking deeper protective instincts. His emotional state is a mix of humor and underlying worry for Dodo’s safety.

Ben is playful and teasing, calling Polly ‘Duchess’ and mocking her concern for Dodo. His streetwise demeanor contrasts with Polly’s formality, and his interactions with the Doctor reveal his respectful …

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S3E42 · The War Machines Episode 1
Polly reveals Dodo’s disappearance

Casually unconcerned, with a hint of curiosity about the Doctor’s reaction and a subtle shift toward mild alertness as the situation escalates.

Ben leans against the bar, his military bearing evident in his posture, though his demeanor is casual and slightly teasing. He initially dismisses Polly’s concerns about Dodo, calling her 'Duchess' …

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S3E43 · The War Machines Episode 2
Dodo’s Suspicious Return and Doctor’s Urgent Departure

Frustrated and detached; his emotional state is one of exhaustion, both physically and emotionally. He appears disillusioned with the group’s dynamics, prioritizing his own needs (rest) over their collective concerns. His skepticism toward Dodo’s return suggests a lack of trust in her explanations.

Ben reacts to Dodo’s return with weary skepticism, questioning Polly’s suggestion to phone hospitals and dismissing the group’s concern as overly dramatic. His tone is blunt, reflecting his exhaustion and …

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S3E43 · The War Machines Episode 2
Dodo’s Return and the Doctor’s Departure

Exhausted and disillusioned, his emotional state a mix of physical weariness and frustration with the group’s inability to resolve the situation. His sarcasm masks a deeper concern, but he prioritizes his own well-being over further involvement.

Ben leans against the bar or a nearby table, his posture relaxed but his tone sarcastic as he questions Polly’s suggestions and expresses his exhaustion. He is visibly drained, both …

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S3E43 · The War Machines Episode 2
Ben’s Kindness Uncovers Hidden Threat

Cautiously empathetic—genuinely concerned for the tramp’s well-being but growing uneasy about the operative’s presence, which hints at a larger threat.

Ben lingers after the taxi departs, engaging the tramp in a brief but meaningful exchange. He offers kindness despite the tramp’s evasiveness, then notices the WOTAN operative making a suspicious …

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S3E43 · The War Machines Episode 2
Dodo’s failure reported to WOTAN

Helpful and slightly weary, his concern for the tramp tempered by his own exhaustion and the night’s lingering tensions.

Ben interacts with the tramp, offering him a place to stay for the night. The tramp mentions sleeping in the abandoned warehouse, a detail Ben does not connect to the …

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S3E43 · The War Machines Episode 2
Doctor recruits Ben to investigate Polly’s disappearance

Initially concerned but quickly determined, with a hint of underlying urgency as he realizes the gravity of the situation.

Ben Jackson arrives at Sir Charles Summer’s office seeking Polly, initially dismissive of her disappearance as mere 'flakiness.' Upon hearing the Doctor’s connection between Polly’s absence and the tramp’s suspicious …

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S3E43 · The War Machines Episode 2
Ben overhears War Machine deployment order

Adrenaline-fueled focus, with a simmering anger at the callousness of WOTAN’s plan—determined but acutely aware of the danger.

Ben Jackson slips into the warehouse, his senses heightened as he eavesdrops on Major Green’s command. His body tenses at the words ‘destruction and potency test,’ realizing the immediate threat …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Green triggers warehouse lockdown

A mix of adrenaline-fueled urgency and creeping dread. Ben’s emotional state is one of heightened alertness, with a underlying fear of being cornered but a resolve to fight back if necessary. His loyalty to his friends and his own survival instincts clash in this moment.

Ben Jackson, mid-escape, bolts toward the warehouse doors with desperation fueling his movements. His hands reach for the doors as his only route to freedom, but Green’s command halts his …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Ben warns Polly of brainwashed horrors

Frantic and protective, masking deep anxiety about Polly’s safety and the looming threat of WOTAN’s control.

Ben intercepts Polly at the warehouse doors, his body language tense and urgent as he physically blocks her path. His voice is frantic, his words tumbling out in a rush …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Green orders Ben’s immediate capture

Likely terrified but determined, aware that his freedom could mean the difference between London’s salvation and its destruction. His emotional state is inferred as a mix of adrenaline-fueled urgency and the weight of responsibility—he knows he cannot fail.

Though physically absent from the scene, Ben is the focal point of Green’s command. His presence is implied as a desperate fugitive, crouched just beyond the warehouse door at the …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Ben’s frantic plea to Polly

Frantic urgency masking deep fear—his voice cracks not just from strain, but from the terror of losing Polly to WOTAN’s control. There’s a raw, almost primal need to reach her, to pull her back from the edge before it’s too late.

Ben stands in the warehouse room, his body tense and coiled like a spring, his voice sharp with desperation as he shouts the command. His eyes lock onto Polly, searching …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Green seals Ben’s escape route

Desperation tinged with defiance; the realization that escape is now impossible fuels a surge of adrenaline and determination

Ben Jackson, though not physically present in this moment, is the implicit target of Green’s command. His desperate attempts to escape are abruptly cut off by the lockdown, leaving him …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Polly betrays Ben to WOTAN’s enforcers

Panicked yet determined, shifting from confusion to raw desperation as he realizes Polly is lost to WOTAN’s control. His emotional state is a mix of fear for his own safety and heartbreak over Polly’s betrayal, but his primary focus remains on warning the Doctor.

Ben is trapped in a desperate, physical struggle with Polly as she bolts the warehouse door shut, cutting off his escape route. His initial confusion turns to frantic pleading as …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Polly betrays Ben to WOTAN’s enforcers

Desperate, fearful, and heartbroken—his emotional state oscillates between panic (as he fights for escape) and profound sorrow (as he witnesses Polly’s transformation). His final plea for the Doctor is tinged with both urgency and a fading hope that reason can prevail.

Ben fights desperately to escape, his movements frantic as he struggles with Polly and yanks at the door bolts. His dialogue shifts from pleading ('Polly, what’s happened to you?') to …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Doctor and Summer Clash Over WOTAN Threat

Not directly observable, but inferred as potentially distressed or in peril based on the Doctor’s concern.

Ben Jackson is mentioned as the subject of the Doctor’s growing concern. His unexplained absence serves as the catalyst for the Doctor’s alarm and the central conflict in the scene, …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Polly’s Brainwashed Loyalty Exposed

A mix of shock, confusion, and crushing despair as he realizes Polly is no longer an ally but a willing participant in the machines’ rise.

Ben, cornered and desperate, pleads with Polly to recognize her brainwashing, only to be met with her chilling allegiance to the War Machines. His initial relief at being spared turns …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Ben exploits Green’s distraction to escape

Cautiously optimistic, with a mix of concern for Polly and determination to escape the oppressive environment.

Ben attempts to comfort Polly, questioning the urgency of the work and noting her physical exhaustion. He observes that the guard has been removed from the door, indicating a lack …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Ben probes Polly’s brainwashed loyalty

Anxious and frustrated by Polly’s transformation, but masking it with humor and sarcasm. His defiance is quiet but deliberate, and he seizes the opportunity to escape when Green is distracted, driven by a sense of urgency to act against WOTAN’s control.

Ben Jackson engages in a subtle, sarcastic exchange with Polly, probing her brainwashed state while masking his concern. He observes her exhaustion and the lack of guards, noting the psychological …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Ben escapes the warehouse

Desperate but triumphant—a mix of adrenaline-fueled urgency and quiet satisfaction at breaking free. His actions suggest a deep-seated refusal to be controlled, even if he’s exhausted.

Ben Jackson, trapped in the sterile warehouse, spots a crowbar and seizes it with both hands. He swings it against the padlock with controlled fury, each strike echoing through the …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Ben’s Warning Exposes WOTAN’s Threat

Panicked but determined, with a mix of guilt (for failing to protect Polly) and desperation (to stop the War Machine). His urgency masks deeper fear for Polly’s fate and London’s safety.

Ben stumbles into Summer’s office, gasping for breath, his uniform disheveled and his face flushed with panic. He delivers a frantic, disjointed warning about Polly’s capture and the War Machine’s …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Ben warns of Polly’s capture and the Covent Garden threat

Panicked yet determined, with a raw urgency that borders on desperation. His fear for Polly and the looming threat to London fuels his frantic energy, but his loyalty to the Doctor and his companions keeps him focused on delivering the warning despite his exhaustion.

Ben Jackson stumbles into Summer’s office in a frantic, disheveled state, gasping for breath and clutching the doorframe for support. His clothes are torn, his face is flushed with exertion, …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Polly’s fractured loyalty exposed

Not directly observable, but inferred as a source of strength and hope for Polly, contrasting with the oppressive atmosphere of the warehouse.

Ben Jackson is referenced indirectly as the catalyst for the confrontation, his escape triggering Green’s interrogation of Polly. Though physically absent, his presence looms large in the scene, symbolizing the …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Polly’s betrayal exposed and condemned

Not directly observable, but inferred as a source of hope and defiance. His escape and Polly’s lingering attachment to him suggest that he embodies the possibility of breaking free from WOTAN’s control, even if he is not physically present.

Ben Jackson is not physically present in this scene, but his absence is the catalyst for the entire confrontation. His escape triggers Green’s interrogation of Polly, and his prior relationship …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Summer dismisses the WOTAN threat

Frustrated and desperate, teetering between controlled urgency and outright defiance, with a undercurrent of fear for Polly’s safety and the looming catastrophe.

Ben Jackson bursts into Summer’s office, disheveled and urgent, his voice sharp with frustration as he pleads for immediate action against WOTAN’s impending attack. He describes the brainwashed workers, the …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Summer Rejects the Doctor’s Warning

Frustrated and desperate, with a simmering anger directed at Summer’s dismissiveness. His urgency masks a deeper fear for Polly and the fate of London, but his loyalty to the Doctor and the mission keeps him focused.

Ben Jackson bursts into Summer’s office, disheveled and urgent, demanding immediate action against WOTAN. He recounts his harrowing escape from the brainwashed workers and the War Machines, insisting that the …

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S3E44 · The War Machines Episode 3
Green blocks wounded soldiers' escape attempt

Horrified by the soldiers’ failed escape attempt, with a growing sense of grim determination to outmaneuver WOTAN’s control through cunning rather than force.

Ben Jackson witnesses the brutal standoff from a distance, his expression hardening as the soldiers’ desperate attempt to escape is met with Green’s unyielding authority. The scene serves as a …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
War Machine 3’s Unexpected Halt

Anxious and protective, with a sense of urgency driven by fear for the Doctor's life. His pleas reflect his deep care for the Doctor and his frustration at the Doctor's hesitation.

Ben urgently tries to pull the Doctor to safety, his voice laced with concern as he shouts, 'Doctor, get back! It'll kill you! Quick, this way!' His loyalty to the …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Ben’s Warning Dismissed Amid Crisis

Anxious and frustrated—his concern for Polly is genuine and urgent, but he is constrained by the Doctor’s dismissal and the looming mechanical threat, leaving him in a state of helpless tension.

Ben stands tense and anxious beside the Doctor, his brow furrowed as he presses his concern for Polly’s whereabouts. His voice carries a note of frustration as he challenges the …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Doctor reveals War Machine invasion plan

Anxious and resentful—his fear for Polly’s safety is compounded by the Doctor’s refusal to acknowledge it, leaving him feeling powerless and alone.

Correction: Ben is played by Michael Craze. Ben stands beside the Doctor, his posture tense and his expression tight with anxiety. He clutches the Doctor’s cloak awkwardly, his knuckles white …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Doctor Proposes War Machine Capture

Anxious and protective, oscillating between frustration at the Doctor’s dismissal and guilt over prioritizing Polly’s safety over the mission.

Ben, seated in the front passenger seat, grips the dashboard as the car jolts over uneven streets. His face is flushed with frustration, his voice rising as he pleads for …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Radio Broadcast Escalates Crisis

Anxious and frustrated, torn between his personal fear for Polly and the group’s strategic priorities. His emotional state is palpable, but he ultimately defers to the Doctor’s authority, albeit reluctantly.

Ben, seated in the car, expresses deep concern for Polly’s safety, arguing that her potential capture by WOTAN’s forces should be a priority. His dialogue is emotionally charged, reflecting his …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Police Warn of War Machine Invasion

Protective and slightly exasperated—he’s frustrated that the Doctor would even consider putting himself in such danger, but also proud that he’s willing to step up. There’s a quiet anger beneath the surface, not at the Doctor, but at the situation that forces them into these choices. His emotional state is a mix of determination and resignation; he knows the risks, but he’s not about to let the Doctor face them alone.

Ben stands with his arms crossed, listening intently to the Doctor’s plan but growing increasingly uneasy as the conversation turns to the lethal task of connecting the fourth cable. His …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Ben Volunteers for the Deadly Trap

Protectively indignant, driven by a surge of loyalty and the need to prove his worth to the Doctor, while masking his own fear of the danger.

Ben leans against the hut’s canvas wall, arms crossed, listening intently to the Doctor and Summer’s debate. His expression shifts from skepticism to alarm as Summer warns of the lethal …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Doctor Disables War Machine and Plans Relocation

Determined and adrenalized, with a sense of urgency and focus. He is fully invested in the success of the operation, trusting the Doctor’s strategic timing while remaining ready to act at a moment’s notice. There is a palpable sense of relief and accomplishment as the trap is sprung and WM9 is neutralized.

Ben takes up a position with the magnetic cable, assisting in trapping WM9 by securing the cable before the machine can turn around. His actions are quick and determined, reflecting …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Doctor Traps War Machine with Precision

Tense but determined, with a surge of adrenaline as the trap is executed, followed by relief as WM9 is neutralized.

Ben Jackson moves with urgency and precision as he secures the final cable of the trap, his muscles tensing as WM9 lumbers into the containment zone. The Doctor’s voice guides …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Doctor deploys reprogrammed War Machine

Desperate and anxious, torn between the mission and his need to protect Polly, with a growing sense of urgency as the noon deadline approaches.

Ben stands beside WM9, gripping the activation cable as the Doctor instructs. His posture is tense, his movements quick and decisive as he disconnects the cable, sparking the machine to …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Reporter confirms War Machine capture escalates global panic

Anxious and determined—his worry for Polly overrides strategic caution, driving him to act independently despite the Doctor's objections.

Ben actively assists the Doctor by disconnecting the cable from WM9, triggering its activation. His concern for Polly's safety is palpable, and he presses the Doctor about her whereabouts, convinced …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Doctor Reprograms War Machine for Counterattack

Uncertain but composed, his professional demeanor masking his internal conflict between trusting the Doctor and adhering to institutional protocols.

Sir Charles Summer watches the Doctor’s actions with a mix of uncertainty and professional detachment. He confirms the Doctor’s prediction of the noon attack but questions the efficacy of the …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Ben races to save Polly

Anxious and uncertain, relying on the Doctor’s plan while grappling with the stakes of the looming attack.

The Minister and Sir Charles Summer stand nearby, observing the Doctor’s actions with a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. The Minister presses for confirmation of the attack timeline, while Summer …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Polly’s violent defection and WM9’s attack

Urgent and conflicted, torn between his loyalty to Polly and the necessity of forcing her to safety, while processing the shock of her allegiance to WOTAN and the violence unfolding around them.

Ben physically restrains Polly in an arm lock, attempting to rescue her from WOTAN’s control despite her violent resistance. He expresses regret for using force but insists it is for …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
WOTAN's destruction and Brett's liberation

Frantically protective, with a mix of frustration and determination.

Ben Jackson bursts into the laboratory, urgently trying to rescue Polly from WOTAN's hypnotic control. He physically restrains her, insisting it's for her own good, and directs her toward the …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Doctor Hides TARDIS Key from Companions

Conflicted between loyalty to Polly and his military duty; hesitant but ultimately swept up in the moment.

Ben is initially confused by the Doctor’s abrupt dismissal, his loyalty to Polly and the Doctor warring with his military obligations. When Polly notices the Doctor’s key and suggests investigating, …

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S3E45 · The War Machines Episode 4
Ben and Polly Accidentally Board the TARDIS

Conflict between duty and curiosity, with a growing sense of excitement as he crosses the threshold into the unknown.

Ben, initially walking away with Polly after delivering Dodo’s message, pauses when Polly points out the Doctor’s suspicious behavior. His curiosity is piqued, but his military discipline creates internal conflict—he’s …

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Affiliations

Moonbase Combat Team (Episode 25)
leader
Lunar Resistance to Cybermen Invasion

Ben Jackson leads the Moonbase Combat Team in Episode 25, engaging in tactical actions against the Cybermen and representing human ingenuity in countering cybernetic threats.

Royal Navy
member
Strategic Naval Command Execution and Fleet Deployment Operations

Ben Jackson serves as an Able Seaman, clearly indicating his membership within the Royal Navy.

The Doctor’s Original Trio (The Doctor, Ben, and Polly)
member
Temporal Crisis Intervention and Sabotage

Ben is explicitly identified as one of the Doctor's Companions (Ben and Polly) and takes active part in their aligned objectives of sabotages and protecting from threats.

Humanity (Earth)
ally
Human Resistance to Cyberman Invasion, Forced Assimilation, and Planetary Destruction

Ben fights alongside other humans against the Cybermen in order to safeguard Earth and preserve humanity.

Across the Seasons

How this character reads at season scale

Season 3 · planet

Ben Jackson serves as an Able Seaman in the 1960s Royal Navy. Street-smart Londoner on shore leave, he protects companions Polly Wright and the Doctor with fierce loyalty. Navy discipline shapes his quick thinking and bravery against threats. Skeptical of strange events, he channels frustration into action, balancing impulsive compassion with a focus on allies' safety.