I am a big fan of Mr. Stokes ( as dipicted by Thayer David). Somehow is is both simple and complex. He is strong as an ox, yet kind and gentle. Like Barnabas he feels an intense internal struggle. Where as Barnabas's struggles is with the monster he has become and the man he used to be, Ben's struggle is purly human.
I found the "Matthew" character to be very well play, but not as likable. He was kind of an mean and irritable old goat, as compared to Ben's lovable and faithfull demeanor. Ben is kind of like a beloved family dog (like Lassie, or Rin Tin Tin). However somewhere in his simplicity is a very wise man. An uneducated great mind, Low is self-esteem, and lacking in self-confidence.