Ian Chesterton

Ian Chesterton is one of the earliest companions to travel with the Doctor. Before meeting the Doctor, Ian was a Science Teacher at Coal Hill School, in 1960's London.

Character Description
Ian Chesterton was one of Susan Foreman's teachers at Coal Hill School, London. He is intrigued by Susan's advanced scientific knowledge, and in talking with another of her teachers, Barbara Wright, finds that he is not the only person who has noticed a strange knowledge in this pupil. One evening, as school is finishing, Ian and Barbara decide to follow Susan home. They are concerened about her, and curious. When they see Susan enter I.M. Foreman's junkyard in Totter's Lane, the two school teachers become more concerned for Susan's safety. Following her inside the yard, the two discover a Police Box sitting incongruously with the junk. Barging their way in, when they discover that Susan is inside, Ian discovers something he cannot believe (An Unearthly Child).

Ian's scientific mind makes him sceptical of anything he has no proof of. When Susan and the Doctor tell him that the Police Box is, in fact, a machine which travels through Time and Space, he is initally scpetical. He feels that the TARDIS is a scientific dream he does not expect to see answered in a junkyard. However, when the Doctor displays his disgust at Ian's arrogance, and ignorance, Ian states that he wants to understand. Once he has proof that the TARDIS is indeed a Space/Time craft he accepts this fact, and becomes the most practical of the travellers.

It doesn't take long for Ian's practical side to show. When the travellers land on Stone Age Earth and fall foul of the tribe they encounter, it is Ian who struggles to free them from their rope bonds, and Ian who 'discovers' fire, by rubbing sticks against stone to create friction, in an attempt to win their freedom.

Ian's curiousity about the TARDIS never leaves him, and he quizes the Doctor about the TARDIS systems, and how they work, while the travellers are on Skaro. Despite being so obviously interested in science, and it's practical applications, Ian is not lacking in common sense. Whilst on Skaro he is acutely aware of Barbara's discomfort. He sees how much she wishes to return to the safety of the TARDIS, rather than explore the Dalek city, and stands up to the Doctor in an attempt to ensure their safe return. Once Barbara has been captured by the Daleks, it is Ian who insists that the travellers cannot leave without her (The Daleks).

Headstrong and stubborn, Ian insists that he should be the one to return to the TARDIS for the anti-radiation drugs the travellers need, despite the fact that his legs have been paralysed in their encounter with the Daleks, and also despite the fact that the Doctor and Susan are the only ones who can unlock the TARDIS doors. Eventually it is this stubbornness which prompts Ian to risk his life to warn the Thals about the Dalek ambush, and later persuade them to give up their pacifist ways and fight for their survival.

Full of bravery and courage, Ian eventually gains the Doctor's respect. He is treated almost as an equal, almost as a friend, and it is no doubt due not only to his bravery, but also to his headstrong, stubborn, loyalty. This loyalty extends to Susan and the Doctor as the travellers grow closer throughout their travels.

Ian revels in his new life, and new experiences. When the travellers land in 12th century Palestine, during The Crusade, Barbara is abducted in a Saracen ambush. Ian is knighted Sir Ian of Jaffa by Richard the Lionheart, and sent on an emisary mission to search for her. Ian develops his skill as a swordsman during his travels, but he is also capable of unarmed comabat (The Aztecs, The Crusade).

On a number of occassions Ian's endures the severe test of facing his fears. Not being a great swimmer, he found he had to overcome this when, during a visit to Rome in AD64 he is sold as a galley slave. His galley sinks in a storm, and Ian, with his Greek slave friend Delos, escape and make their way to Rome (The Romans). Whilst searching for Barbara in Palestine, Ian is captured and staked in the desert, daubed with honey to attract the ants. Ian's instinctive fear of ants may have been increased with his experiences on Vortis (The Web Planet).

Despite his obvious enjoyment of his travels, Ian never loses sight of his desire to return to his home, and his own time. When the opportunity arises, Ian and Barbara risk travel in a Dalek time ship to return to 1960s London. When they emerge from the time machine, they are both delighted to be back home, despite discovering that two years have passed since their departure (The Chase).

Quotes
An Unearthly Child

Doctor: "Your arrogance is nearly as great as your ignorance"

Ian: "But I want to understand"

The Web Planet

Ian: "I've seen a colony of ants eat their way right through a house. That size they could eat their way through a mountain."

The Space Museum

Governor Lobos: "You'll acheive nothing if you kill me."

Ian: "Possibly, but it might be enjoyable."

The Chase

Ian: "I'm sorry, but you rattle off explanations that would have baffled Einstein and you expect Barbara and I to know what you're talking about."

Ian: "I want to sit in a pub and drink a pint of beer again. I want to walk in a park and watch a cricket match.  Above all, I want to belong somewhere, do something, instead of this aimless drifting around in space."