Star Trek The Next Generation
Character
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Ben

witty teasing supportive observant playful
Ben serves as a civilian waiter in Ten Forward, the Enterprise-D's lounge. Roughly the same age as the junior officers, he joined the ship seeking adventure and excitement, unbound by Starfleet discipline. His easy smile and quick wit define him; he teases friends like Lavelle, Taurik, Sito, and Ogawa about their career stresses while providing subtle encouragement and gossip that eases tensions. Observant and bold, he navigates crew dynamics from outside the hierarchy, fostering camaraderie through banter and support.
15 appearances
Ten Forward lounge service and junior officer social circle

Ben's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

15 moments
S7E15 · Lower Decks
Promotion rivalry fractures junior officers

Casually amused and unintentionally disruptive, enjoying the role of an outsider who can tease his friends about their Starfleet pressures.

Ben, the civilian waiter, approaches Riker and Troi with their coffees, eavesdropping on their promotion discussion. He later reveals the competition to Lavelle and Sito, his casual demeanor masking the …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Worf’s endorsement fuels Lavelle’s envy

Lightly amused but perceptive, Ben’s tone is warm and encouraging, though he underestimates the severity of Lavelle’s professional anxiety.

Ben stands at the junior officers' table with an empty tray, casually engaging in conversation while observing Lavelle’s eavesdropping and subsequent social blunder with Riker. His amused yet supportive demeanor …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Lavelle’s Failed Bonding Attempt with Riker

Lightly amused and sympathetic, recognizing Lavelle’s struggle but not intervening.

Ben, the civilian waiter, observes Lavelle’s awkward interaction with Riker from a distance, balancing his empty tray. He exchanges a knowing glance with the bartender after Lavelle’s retreat, his expression …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Junior Officers Probe Mission Secrets

Amused but aware of the underlying tension, Ben enjoys the role of the gossip-monger, using his rumors to stir the pot and observe the reactions of his friends.

Ben, the civilian waiter, expertly shuffles and deals the poker cards, setting the rhythm for the game. He introduces wild speculation about the escape pod's occupant, claiming it was Ambassador …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Sito’s self-doubt exposed in poker game

Amused but empathetic, recognizing the absurdity of their Starfleet-driven anxieties from his outsider perspective.

Ben, the civilian waiter, is present but largely silent during this exchange, his role reduced to facilitating the poker game with his opening line ('The bet is fifty'). He observes …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Lavelle Bolsters Sito’s Confidence

Calm and engaged in the game’s mechanics, but peripherally aware of the emotional undercurrents

Ben’s role in this moment is minimal but functional—he announces the poker bet (‘The bet is fifty’), prompting the others to match it. His presence is a neutral force, keeping …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Taurik withdraws from the game

Assertive and engaged, with a protective edge—he’s not just playing poker; he’s pushing Lavelle toward self-awareness, though his own emotions remain carefully controlled.

Ben leans forward slightly, his tone sharp but supportive as he presses Lavelle to commit to the poker hand—and by extension, to confront his avoidance. His dialogue is direct, almost …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Lavelle’s insecurity surfaces in poker game

Confident but measured, with a undercurrent of protective frustration toward Lavelle’s self-deception.

Ben leans forward, eyes locked on Lavelle, his tone sharp but not unkind as he refuses to let Lavelle’s bluff slide. He shifts his focus to Taurik, pressing for a …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Lavelle’s Bluff Exposed and Ambition Revealed

Amused and observant, with a hint of concern for Lavelle’s single-minded ambition.

Ben, the civilian waiter, dominates the poker game with a sharp eye for tells, calling Lavelle’s bluff with a triumphant smirk. He teases Lavelle about his ambition, inviting him to …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Taurik’s self-doubt and Geordi’s mentorship

Playfully smug, slightly amused by the junior officers' insecurities, but momentarily caught off-guard by Geordi’s arrival.

Ben, the civilian waiter, leans into his role as the group’s provocateur, calling Lavelle’s bluff with a smirk before pivoting to Taurik’s vulnerability. His playful teasing (‘Ante up, gentlemen’) masks …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Ben’s Unannounced Power Play

Confidently provocative, masking deeper ambition with a veneer of casualness.

Ben enters Riker’s quarters uninvited, his tone laced with authority as he frames his intrusion as a 'cleanup' of junior officers. His body language is relaxed but deliberate, suggesting hidden …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Lavelle reveals Sito’s Cardassian mission

Curious with a hint of concern, masking his deeper investment in the crew’s well-being. His question isn’t just idle—it’s a way to gauge the severity of the situation and offer subtle support.

Ben leans in slightly, his expression curious and probing. He interrupts Lavelle’s revelation with a direct question, cutting through the tension with his characteristic boldness. His posture is relaxed but …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Picard announces Sito’s death

Compassionate and determined, masking his own grief behind a role as the crew’s emotional anchor.

Ben moves with quiet purpose through Ten Forward, first setting a drink unobtrusively in front of Worf—who is lost in thought—then approaching Ogawa and Taurik’s table, where he places a …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Lavelle’s Promotion Haunted by Sito’s Sacrifice

Grieving but composed, channeling his own sorrow into nurturing the group’s collective healing. His demeanor is gentle yet firm, ensuring no one is left isolated in their pain.

Ben moves through Ten Forward with quiet purpose, first placing a drink in front of Worf—who is lost in thought—before approaching Ogawa and Taurik, who sit in somber silence at …

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S7E15 · Lower Decks
Worf joins Sito’s memorial gathering

Compassionate and warm, with a quiet determination to ease the crew’s grief by fostering connection.

Ben moves with quiet purpose through Ten Forward, first placing a drink unobtrusively in front of Worf—who is lost in thought—before approaching Ogawa and Taurik, who sit in somber silence …

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Affiliation

Starfleet
Federation Starship Command, Classified Intelligence, and Hierarchical Operations