Ben Jackson

Ben Jackson was a cockney sailor on the British Naval Ship HMS Teazer. He met Polly in the Inferno nightclub, shortly before accidentally leaving with the Doctor in the TARDIS.

Biography
Ben was both practical and a realiset. It took him some time to believe that the TARDIS really travels through time and space. He was also the most sceptical when the Doctor regenerated, believeing that the new incarnation of the Doctor was an imposter. It took a Dalek recognising the Doctor to finally convince Ben of the truth.

Ben was clever, and never shirked danger and action. He was sensible enough to realise that taking on a Cyberman with a screwdriver would be a big mistake, and managed to dazzle one with a film projector before killing it. Ben also worked out that the Cybermen were avoiding radiation, and helped devise a plan to destroy them using the Snowcap Base's reactor fuel rods.

Polly and Ben became good friends during their travels. They trusted each other, and their relationship was punctuated by good-natured teasing and banter. They complemented each other well, and created a good team. Whilst Polly created a chemical potion to kill the Cybermen on the Moonbase, Ben found the practical application of it - using fire extinguishers to deliver 'Cocktail Polly'.

Ben's humourous nature, which fueled much of his banter with 'the Duchess', also revealed something of his childhood. He lived opposite a brewery, and recalled the strong odour in cockney banter, and revealed that he once had a headmaster who "got nicked for not paying his bus fare."

Ben might be headstrong and impetuous, but he proved to be mentally weaker than his companions when they faced the hypnotic processiong of the Macra. This aside, he did struggle to fight it, and failed to report Jamie for having taken an official's keys.

Throughout his journeys Ben never lost sight of his desire to return home, and to his ship. When the opportunity arrived, Ben left with Polly. But before leaving, the pair insisted that they would stay if the Doctor needed them.

Quotes
"When I was a kid, we used to live opposite a brewery. You could take a walk and get tipsy all in one go."

The Power of the Daleks

"You flex your muscles when they tie you up. Then, when you're ready, you relax them.  Well that way you're half the size you were before."

The Highlanders

"Ben, you're recovering. I always thought you were a tough customer."

-- The Doctor in The Macra Terror