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Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart

protective measured urgent observant stoic under pressure frustrated by bureaucracy loyal cooperative absent composed methodical institutional authority operationally disciplined reluctant ally to the Doctor frustrated under pressure suspicious under duress stoic sarcastic mission-focused resolute restless commanding presence authoritative quick-thinking professional institutionally rigid hierarchy-trusting rigid dry, sarcastic humor authoritarian disciplined skeptical dutiful loyal to institutional duty physically courageous despite limitations suspicious decisive nostalgic determined pragmatic adaptable calm under pressure dryly humorous dismissive pragmatic under pressure reserved efficient reluctantly dutiful pragmatic to the point of ruthlessness tactically restrained grants qualified trust
Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart is the indomitable and long-serving high-ranking officer of UNIT, a career military commander whose identity is inseparable from duty and discipline. Commissioned early in his service as a Colonel directing troops in the London Underground against the Great Intelligence’s Yeti, he rose rapidly through the ranks to become Brigadier during the organization’s formation, commanding entire military operations with authoritative pragmatism. Coordinating officers like Captain Yates and Sergeant Benton through crises involving Cybermen, Autons, the Nestene Consciousness, the Master, and Zygon infiltrations, he enforced chain-of-command loyalty while navigating bureaucratic constraints to protect Earth from paranormal and extraterrestrial threats. His voice crackling over radios under duress—whether in the Third Doctor’s UNIT space or the TARDIS console room—signaled command presence during emergencies, though his trust in the Doctor developed into affectionate collaboration despite protocol friction. By his extended tenure, marked by repeated paranormal engagements and tactical trials including temporal disturbances and shapeshifter infiltration, he earned the title ‘The Brigadier,’ symbolizing institutional stability across decades. Though granted qualified trust to unconventional expertise when institutional systems faltered, his stoicism under duress concealed exhaustion and concern for subordinates. His final recorded state saw him retired yet engaged, husband to Doris and still addressing crises through dry wit and reluctant duty, embodying a life defined by service, loyalty, and the unwavering protection of a world whose strangeness he had long accepted without surrendering to cynicism.
1143 appearances
UNIT military command and extraterrestrial threat response
Also known as: Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart, Stewart, The Brigadier, Brigadier Alastair, Colonel, Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, Sir, Lethbridge Stewart, Brig, Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart, Lethbridge-Stewart, BRIG, Brigade Leader Stewart, R/T OPS, the Brigadier, BRIGADIER, Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Alistair, Brigadier, Alastair

Brigadier Alistair …'s Journey

A timeline through the narrative

1143 moments
Season 5 (46) Season 6 (53) Season 7 (228) Season 8 (228) Season 9 (62) Season 10 (126) Season 11 (83) Season 12 (65) Season 13 (61) Season 18 (1) Season 20 (127) Season 26 (63)
S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Colonel interrupts reunion with accusations

Authoritative and suspicious, with a growing sense of urgency as the accusations against the Doctor take shape.

The Colonel enters the scene with military precision, his presence dominating the interaction from the moment he speaks. He interrupts the Doctor and Victoria’s reunion without hesitation, his tone authoritative …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Lethbridge-Stewart Interrupts Reunion

Authoritative and suspicious, with a underlying tension that reflects his urgency to contain the Yeti threat and uncover the truth, regardless of personal feelings.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart interrupts the Doctor and Victoria’s reunion with military precision, demanding answers about Jamie’s whereabouts and the Goodge Street fortress. He questions Victoria about Travers and his daughter, revealing …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Knight delegates amid escalating crisis

Unseen but implied to be composed and decisive, his arrival signaling a shift in the power dynamics within the military hierarchy.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart is mentioned as the military officer who escorted the Doctor and Victoria to the HQ, his sudden appearance disrupting the established command structure. Though not physically present in …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Colonel’s Arrival Disrupts Command

Concerned and urgent, but focused on executing her role effectively

Anne is briefly but critically involved in this event as the messenger bridging the military and the Doctor. She reports the Circle Line’s collapse, confirming the team’s trapped status, before …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Lethbridge-Stewart seizes command amid crisis

Controlled intensity—his exterior is calm and professional, but there’s an undercurrent of urgency and a hint of defensiveness when his account is questioned. He’s a man used to being obeyed, but the presence of outsiders (the Doctor, Victoria) and the traitor’s unknown identity force him to tread carefully.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart dominates the scene with his authoritative presence, arriving like a force of nature to assert control over Goodge Street HQ. His demeanor is a blend of command and …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Travers Vouches for the Doctor

Controlled but tense—his humor and confidence mask the stress of his recent ordeal and the unspoken pressure to lead effectively.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart dominates the room with his authoritative presence, producing his papers to assert command over Captain Knight. His account of the Holborn ambush is matter-of-fact, almost clinical, but his …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Chorley’s escape plea fractures team unity

Righteously indignant at Chorley’s disruption, masking underlying stress about the mission’s dire stakes and the team’s fragility.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart leads the briefing with authoritative urgency, emphasizing the severity of the threat and the team’s dependence on the Doctor, Travers, and Anne for solutions. When Chorley interrupts with …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Colonel sidelines Chorley and approves explosive plan

Authoritative and slightly impatient, with a growing sense of unease about the deteriorating situation outside. His demeanor is controlled, but the urgency of the moment is palpable—he knows the team’s survival hinges on the success of the Doctor’s plan.

The Colonel takes charge with military precision, first neutralizing Chorley’s disruptive influence by demoting him to a liaison role in the Common Room. He then shifts focus to the Doctor’s …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Colonel neutralizes Chorley and approves explosive plan

Calm and authoritative on the surface, but with an underlying tension reflecting the high stakes and the need for decisive action. His emotional state is driven by a mix of strategic focus and the weight of responsibility for the group's survival.

The Colonel takes charge with cold precision, first sidelining Chorley by demoting him to a non-combat 'liaison officer' role, stripping him of influence and isolating him in the Common Room. …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Sabotage exposed in the ops room

Initially authoritative and focused, but rapidly becoming concerned and tense as the evidence of sabotage unfolds. His emotional state is a mix of professional urgency and personal frustration at the failure of his security measures.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart stands rigidly in the ops room, his military bearing unshaken as he listens to the Doctor’s explanation of the explosives. His demeanor shifts abruptly when Arnold reports the …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Colonel seals fortress against Yeti threat

Composed on the surface but inwardly tense, balancing the weight of command with the urgency of the crisis. His authority is unwavering, but the unspoken fear of internal betrayal lingers beneath his professional demeanor.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart takes command with military precision, issuing a clipped order to secure the fortress entrance. His authoritative tone and disciplined demeanor reflect his role as the new Commanding Officer, …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Doctor confronts web-infested explosives store

Cautious and concerned, with a hint of suspicion. His tone suggests a mix of wariness about the explosives store and a desire to uncover the truth behind the sabotage.

Captain Knight expresses skepticism about the explosives store’s safety, hinting at potential danger with his question to the Doctor. His dialogue sets up the Doctor’s investigation and underscores the tension …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Colonel excludes Chorley from orders

Defensively cautious, masking deep unease—he is torn between his duty to lead and the gnawing fear that a traitor could be among his own team. His exclusion of Chorley is a cold, calculated act, revealing his paranoia.

The Colonel stands firm but visibly unsettled by the Doctor’s accusations. He defends his strategy of checking for Yeti sabotage, though his tone wavers between confidence and doubt. When the …

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S5E25 · The Web of Fear Part 3
Doctor accuses traitor in their midst

Defensively skeptical, masking a growing unease as the Doctor's accusation forces him to question the loyalty of those around him, including himself.

The Colonel reacts with defensive skepticism to the Doctor's accusation, initially dismissive but gradually forced to engage with the possibility of a traitor. He stands firm in his authority, countering …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Colonel reroutes group through Piccadilly Line

Controlled urgency; his focus on logistics and rerouting betrays a quiet but intense awareness of the stakes.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart dominates the scene with his commanding presence, intercepting Knight’s party with a mix of urgency and authority. His brief acknowledgment of their failure—'Yes'—is followed by a swift pivot …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Colonel Demands Yeti Break-In Explanation

The Colonel’s emotional state is one of frustration and impatience, with a sense of urgency to understand the Yeti’s actions and mitigate the threat. He is visibly annoyed by the lack of clarity and the Doctor’s cryptic responses, but his focus remains on protecting his troops and the city.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart arrives abruptly and demands answers about the Yeti break-in, expressing frustration at not understanding their motives. His demeanor is one of authority and impatience, reflecting the military’s growing …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Travers abduction confirmed and Yeti motives debated

The Colonel is focused and authoritative, driven by a need for clarity and a desire to take decisive action. His emotional state is one of urgency and a sense of responsibility for the safety of his team and the city.

The Colonel arrives and questions the Doctor about Travers' abduction, discussing the Yeti's motives and the escalating threat of the web-like fungus. He exhibits an authoritative demeanor, seeking clarity and …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Yeti abduction and fungus escalation

Confused and concerned, his usual confidence is shaken by the unpredictability of the Yeti's actions and the escalating crisis, but he remains committed to leading his men effectively.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart arrives on the scene, questioning the Doctor about the Yeti's actions and expressing confusion about their motives. His demeanor is authoritative but bewildered, as he struggles to make …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Doctor reveals TARDIS location and mission

Determined yet skeptical—The Colonel is clearly frustrated by the lack of progress against the Yeti and the fungal plague, but he is also open to unconventional solutions, even if they challenge his military instincts. His emotional state is a mix of urgency and reluctance, as he grapples with the need to act decisively while acknowledging the risks of the Doctor’s proposal.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart engages in a tense but decisive conversation with the Doctor and Knight, grappling with the nature of the Great Intelligence and the feasibility of the Doctor’s time-space craft …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
The Doctor reveals the Intelligence’s trap and a traitor’s presence

Tense and desperate, with a underlying current of frustration at the military’s repeated failures. His tone is firm but carries the weight of responsibility.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart takes center stage as the voice of military pragmatism and desperation. He presses the Doctor about the nature of the Great Intelligence and the possibility of a traitor, …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Colonel and Knight clash over TARDIS escape plan

Skeptical and frustrated; internally conflicted between his duty to follow orders and his disbelief in the TARDIS.

Captain Knight stands rigid in the ops room, his skepticism etched into his expression as the Doctor reveals the TARDIS. He scoffs at the idea, challenging the Colonel’s decision to …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Lethbridge-Stewart divides forces amid dissent

Intense and focused, with a underlying frustration at the team's dissent but unwavering commitment to the mission's success.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart dominates the scene with his authoritative presence, dividing the UNIT team into two mission groups: an above-ground assault via Neal Street and an underground tunnel operation. He dismisses …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Lethbridge-Stewart’s False Optimism

Feigned calm masking a deep awareness of the unseen threat; outwardly confident but inwardly cognizant of the fragility of their position.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart stands at the center of the deserted street, his posture rigid and commanding. He delivers his assessment with a calm, measured tone, his gaze likely sweeping over his …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Tunnel Ambush and TARDIS Vulnerability

Determined and focused, though his absence here creates tension—will his plan succeed, or will the Intelligence outmaneuver him? The soldiers’ fates hang on his gambit.

The Colonel is referenced indirectly by Arnold as en route to Covent Garden to load the TARDIS onto the trolley, his authority looming over the scene. Though physically absent, his …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Blake spots Yeti in Covent Garden

Tense and focused, with a underlying sense of urgency. The Colonel’s emotional state is one of controlled intensity—he’s not panicked, but the subtext is clear: this is a threat he didn’t anticipate, and his team is vulnerable. His brevity and directness mask a deeper concern for the safety of his men and the city’s defense.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart’s reaction to Blake’s warning is instantaneous and authoritative. His command—‘In here, quick.’—is delivered with the sharp precision of a man used to making life-or-death decisions under pressure. The …

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S5E26 · The Web of Fear Part 4
Colonel Abandons Troops in Yeti Attack

Overwhelmed by fear and shame; his emotional state is a mix of terror at the Yeti’s advance and deep self-loathing for his cowardice. He is no longer the stoic leader but a broken man, driven by survival instinct over duty.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart, the commanding officer of the British Army forces, reaches his breaking point as Corporal Blake is clubbed down by the Yeti. Instead of standing his ground or attempting …

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
The Intelligence’s Mind-Drain Ultimatum

Steady authority masking tactical concern

Maintains order by restraining Jamie alongside the Doctor; silences Evans initially then hears his suggestion; advocates for a planned response over rash action amid the standoff.

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
The Intelligence’s Ultimatum and Victoria’s Capture

Steady authority masking underlying tension from mounting losses

The Colonel maintains command amid chaos, physically blocking Jamie's exit, silencing subordinates like Evans initially, endorsing the Doctor's plan, and emphasizing the need for strategy over futile bare-handed fights.

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Evans proposes sacrificing the Doctor

Cautious authority masking mounting pressure

Colonel physically and verbally restrains Jamie, asserts the need for a plan over rash action, and solicits Evans' input, maintaining military discipline amid rising chaos.

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Doctor rallies Anne amid despair

Authoritative focus amid mounting threats

Orders search party including himself, Jamie, and Evans, explicitly directs Doctor to stay and tinker, then exits lab, enabling isolation and repair focus.

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Jamie forces the group into action

Skeptical pragmatism yielding to reluctant resolve

Colonel initially dismisses Jamie's over-the-top plan as futile against unbeatable Yeti, but concedes to action over waiting, decisively splits forces by ordering Evans to guard Doctor and Anne while committing …

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Colonel divides forces for rescue mission

Resolute pragmatism veiling tactical unease

Colonel skeptically engages Jamie's ambush idea, acknowledges Yeti unfightability from experience, overrides Evans' safety pleas by endorsing action over stasis, and decisively splits forces—himself and Jamie to tunnels, Evans guarding …

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Fungal blockade forces brutal tactical retreat

Determined resolve masking tactical desperation

The Colonel agrees to chance the door, urgently directs pushing it closed against the invading fungus, then decisively orders Jamie to unhitch the fire door while holding the line himself, …

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Evans Accuses Allies in Paranoid Defiance

Dismissive frustration masking rising command strain under insubordination

Interrupts his tactical board review upon Evans' entrance, demands explanation with authority, dismisses the wild accusations as irrelevant, issues a clear order for Evans to join the Doctor and Anne …

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Jamie finds Victoria’s handkerchief

Pragmatically exasperated, masking irritation with disciplined assurance

The Colonel proposes continuing forward, urges Jamie impatiently, defends his path choice vaguely, dismisses lingering paranoia about Evans' claims, and firmly denies being the traitor, maintaining command amid rising friction.

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Arnold’s return and the rescue dilemma

Pragmatic caution veiling disbelief and tactical resolve

Commands Arnold to halt upon sighting his approach, expresses shock at his survival, then firmly orders retreat to HQ while guiding the disoriented sergeant, countering Jamie's solo charge with insistence …

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S5E27 · The Web of Fear Part 5
Jamie and Lethbridge-Stewart Confront the Yeti Threat

Steadfast calm under mounting pressure

Colonel commands Evans to emerge and report, absorbs news of Doctor and Anne's departure, halts Jamie's charge decisively, and redirects Evans to medical aid for Arnold, maintaining iron command amid …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Arnold's Warning and Yeti Ambush

Deeply concerned but channeling it into decisive action, his military instincts driving him to assess threats and protect the group.

The Colonel reacts with a mix of concern and authority, his military training kicking in as he assesses the threat posed by Arnold’s arrival and the Yeti. He questions Arnold’s …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Colonel Distracts for Arnold's Escape

Confused but resolute, acting on instinct and trust rather than critical thought. His emotional state reflects a mix of urgency and blind loyalty, unaware of the deeper manipulation at play.

The Colonel, unwittingly complicit in Arnold’s plan, follows his subordinate’s suggestion without question. He stumbles into the Doctor, knocking him down and creating the distraction Arnold needs to escape. His …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Doctor Deflects Jamie's Colonel Concerns

Restless and potentially anxious, possibly sensing the undercurrent of distrust but unable to address it directly.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart is present on the platform but does not speak during this exchange. His restless pacing suggests agitation or anxiety, possibly due to the tension in the air or …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Doctor Sends Jamie to Lure Tame Yeti

Unsettled and possibly conflicted; his restlessness could stem from guilt, paranoia, or the early effects of the Great Intelligence’s manipulation.

The Colonel paces restlessly in the background, his military bearing slightly unraveled by the tension. He does not speak, but his presence looms large, observed by both the Doctor and …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Arnold Revealed as Intelligence Host

Skeptical and determined initially, shifting to reflective as he processes the outcome of the event.

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart demands that the Intelligence reveal itself and participates in the chaotic rescue of the Doctor. He later discusses the event's aftermath with Travers and Anne, reflecting on the …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Doctor sabotages pyramid machine while trapped

Anxious and relieved in turns, with lingering concern for the Doctor's safety and the group's future.

Victoria expresses concern for the Doctor and her own safety, reassured by the Doctor but remaining anxious about the situation. She departs with the Doctor and Jamie at the end, …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Jamie’s Counterattack Disrupts the Doctor’s Plan

Suspicious and decisive, then dutiful and relieved.

The Colonel questions Arnold's presence and suggests the Doctor surrender. He participates in pulling the Doctor out of the pyramid, misunderstanding the Doctor's strategy. Later, he checks the upper area …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Doctor’s Sabotage Plan Undermined

Confused and determined, with a sense of urgency to act despite the chaos

Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart questions Arnold's presence and later participates in the chaotic rescue of the Doctor. He pulls the Doctor out of the mind-transfer machine, inadvertently disrupting his plan. His confusion …

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S5E28 · The Web of Fear Part 6
Doctor Rejects Praise and Flees Fame

Defensive and slightly guilty, but resolute in his belief that they saved the Doctor—his frustration at the Doctor's anger is tempered by his relief that they acted in time.

Jamie, having just thrown the sabotaged helmet into the pyramid machine, defends the group's actions against the Doctor's outburst. He stands between the Doctor and the others, his posture protective …

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Affiliation

Ministry of Defence
National Defense and Security Against Extraterrestrial Threats