Ben Jackson

Ben Jackson is a fictional character played by Michael Craze in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. A seaman in the merchant marine from 1966, he was a companion of the First and Second Doctors and a regular in the programme from 1966 to 1967.

Related Topics:
Michael Craze - British - Science fiction television - Doctor Who - Merchant marine - 1966 - Companion - First - Second Doctors - 1967

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Ben first appeared in the First Doctor serial, The War Machines, when he met Polly and Dodo in a London nightclub called the Inferno. Ben was feeling depressed and angry because he had a six-month shore posting while his ship was going to the West Indies, but Polly and Dodo tried to cheer him up. When Polly was accosted by another patron in the Inferno, Ben came to her rescue. Eventually, Ben and Polly aided the Doctor in his fight against the rogue artificial intelligence known as WOTAN. They were bearers of Dodo's decision to stay in 1966 to the Doctor, and accidentally got carried away in the TARDIS when they tried to return Dodo's key to the time machine.

Related Topics:
The War Machines - Polly - Dodo - London - West Indies - The Doctor - Artificial intelligence - 1966 - TARDIS - Time machine

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Ben was a salt-of-the-Earth kind of fellow, dependable, faithful, and prone to be suspicious when kept in the dark or not understanding what was going on. He was very attached to Polly, considering her posh, giving her the nickname of "Duchess" and appointing himself as both her protector and that of the Doctor's. He was present with Polly when the First Doctor regenerated into the Second, and continued to travel with the Second Doctor.

Related Topics:
Posh - Regenerated

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Eventually, the TARDIS found its way back to 1966 London (in The Faceless Ones) on the very day Ben and Polly had left (although about a year had passed for them). They decided to remain behind to resume their lives without disruption as the Doctor and Jamie travelled on.

Related Topics:
1966 - The Faceless Ones - Jamie

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What happened to Ben after his return to Earth is not known. The Doctor seemed to think that Ben would become an Admiral and that Polly would look after Ben, but it is unclear if it was a prediction or simply wishing them well.

Related Topics:
Earth - Admiral

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