star trek next generation up the long ladder

Up The Long Ladder (episode)

View history
1.2 Act One
1.3 Act Two
1.4 Act Three
1.5 Act Four
1.6 Act Five
1.7 Log entries
2 Memorable quotes
3.1 Deleted scenes
3.2 Production history
3.3 Story and production
3.4 Continuity
3.5 Reception
3.6 Apocrypha
3.7 Video and DVD releases
4.1 Starring
4.2 Also starring
4.3 Special appearance by
4.4 Guest stars
4.5 Co-star
4.6 Uncredited co-stars
4.7 Stand-ins
4.8.1 Library computer references
4.8.2 Deleted references
4.8.3 Deleted scenes references
4.9 External links

Summary [ ]

On the bridge of the USS Enterprise -D , Worf is at his post at tactical when he suddenly begins to feel uncomfortable. He is fighting the odd sensations the best he can. Captain Picard arrives on the bridge and summons Commander Riker into the ready room . There, the captain talks about a meeting he had with Admiral Moore . He then plays on his monitor for his first officer the subject of the meeting: a series of sound pulses that had begun transmitting one month ago. Riker is quick to discern the sound as an antiquated distress signal ; Starbase Research had spent hours coming to the same conclusion.

" He just collapsed, sir. "

A computer lookup reveals the distress signal as one that had been used by the European Hegemony , a 22nd century alliance that had been one of the earliest progressions towards a United Earth . However, further research into deep space launches in that timeframe draws a blank. That leaves only one option: go to the Ficus sector and figure out who needs help. But as they emerge from the ready room, Picard and Riker are surprised to see the bridge crew surrounding Worf… who has collapsed at his post. Data calls sickbay for a medical emergency and for Doctor Pulaski to come to the bridge.

Act One [ ]

" Klingons do NOT faint! "

Worf, in typical Klingon stubbornness, is adamant that he is fine, but Dr. Pulaski counters with sarcasm. Eventually, the doctor gets to the point; Worf has contracted rop'ngor : "Klingon measles ." Worf is appalled to learn that he had fainted because of a childhood ailment. However, Dr. Pulaski understands his concern, so when Picard asks what happened, Pulaski says Worf fainted due to a Klingon rite of fasting. She tells the captain that Worf made the mistake of not decreasing his physical activity while decreasing his caloric intake. Worf genuinely appreciates her going out of her way to preserve his dignity.

Meanwhile, Data reports to Picard in the ready room with a possible means of identifying the unknown ship. As the 22nd century was a rather tumultuous time, record keeping from that era is known to be spotty. However, someone had to have loaded the ship with cargo of some sort. Picard realizes that means a manifest of that loading of that cargo must be on record. Sure enough, this angle does provide the answer. The ship they seek is the SS Mariposa : loaded 2123, commanded by a Walter Granger , and bound for the Ficus sector. However, the manifest introduces its own mystery; there are two distinct sets of cargo. One set is high-tech and expected cargo for a deep-space colony. But the other set lists among it spinning wheels and farm animals! Data proposes a theory for the latter; the tumult of the time prompted some people to revert to simpler ways of life: the Neo-Transcendentalist movement, founded by Liam Dieghan . Still, the mystery of the two apparently conflicting sets of cargo remains.

" Worf, you're a romantic. "

In appreciation and apology for earlier, Worf treats Dr. Pulaski to a Klingon tea ceremony in her office. Pulaski is aware of the nature of the plants used to brew the tea, which is deadly to Humans , and antidotes herself so she can partake properly.

The Enterprise traces the distress signal to the Bringloid system . The problem is soon apparent: the system's sun is undergoing major solar flare activity, threatening the viability of the planet, Bringloid V . There is no sign of technology other than orbital satellites that set off the signal automatically when the star became a threat. The situation is complicated. Data projects the flares will reach the planet in 3.6 hours, Worf points out that transport can only occur between flares, and Counselor Troi warns that exposing unsophisticated people to the Enterprise will present problems of culture shock. Picard decides to send Riker down to the colony (located underground) as an emissary to provide a cultural bridge and assist in the evacuation.

Riker reports the situation of the colony: approximately two hundred people, all in good spirits, in surprisingly good condition, and understanding of the need to leave, but Riker still has an issue with them. Picard orders the evacuation to proceed in spite of the concern, saying they can deal with it later, and Riker mysteriously acknowledges that "all of us" will be on their way. This concern becomes known, however, once Chief O'Brien requests the captain come to the transporter room ; in addition to some of the colonists, an assortment of farm animals have been transported aboard, all of which can be heard over the comlink!

Act Two [ ]

An unexpected passenger

Picard and Worf are on their way to the transporter room when a chicken flies out of the door and into the corridor . A young girl picks it up, beams at the two of them, and runs back in. Once Picard is inside, one of the refugees steps forward: the colony's leader, Danilo Odell , who is quite pleased to meet another Irish descendant in O'Brien. All in all, he and the other Bringloidi (who prove to be the descendants of the Neo-Transcendentalists to whom Data alluded earlier) seem to be taking the exposure to advanced technology after two centuries (and then-unknown alien races, such as Worf) with surprising sanity. Riker explains that the Bringloidi had refused to leave without the animals since they represent their livelihood. Picard quickly demands they be placed out of the way and has O'Brien redirect the entire colony to Cargo Hold 7. The Bringloidi quickly get back on the pads for transport, and all remaining Bringloidi are directly transported there.

" I'm sorry, sir. It was either this or arguing until hell froze over. "

In the observation lounge , the final tally is made: 223 refugees (with two more just days from being delivered and not counting their livestock). Picard prepares to transport them to the nearest starbase, and Riker quips that, while anachronistic, the Bringloidi are eager; he speculates that they will probably be running the place before long. Suddenly, a fire alarm goes off. The problem is quickly traced to the Bringloidi. Unused to modern conveniences like replicators , they had been cooking their own food, which had triggered the automated fire-suppression force fields .

" I think I'll stay and give her some help. "

Danilo is puzzled and a little nonplussed, but his reaction is nothing compared to that of the cook, his own daughter, Brenna Odell . Sharp of tongue and quickly angered, she voices her frustration and displeasure in no uncertain terms. The whole situation leaves Picard laughing, left with no choice but to "bow to the absurd." The trip will be a learning experience for both parties. However, Riker's gentlemanly manner helps Brenna to warm to him.

Danilo catches up with Picard in the corridor with a thought that had slipped his mind. He asks if there ever was any word about "the other colony." Suddenly, things begin to make sense in Picard's mind; there were two colonies aboard the Mariposa!

Act Three [ ]

" You generally start at the top and work your way down. "

Riker leads Brenna to his quarters . The first thing she sees is a mess, and she insists on starting to clean it up. The conversation gets rather spirited, with both of them making verbal jabs at each other. Eventually, the words give way to actions as Riker gives in to Brenna's advances and they passionately kiss .

Back in Cargo Hold 7 the rest of the Bringloidi, true to their Irish roots, try to get their still set up to brew poteen (a potent traditional Irish whiskey ), but Danilo explains to Worf that it would need a fire. Danilo does not want a repeat of the fire-suppression debacle. On Worf's mention of the replicator, Danilo is reluctant after O'Brien offered him synthehol . Worf explains that replicators can make real alcohol instead and adjusts the nearest food replicator's control panel to do so. However, Danilo still finds that the 24th century's Earth standard of his ordered whiskey "has no bite," so Worf orders a Klingon drink, chech'tluth , for him, which is strong and much more to his liking. Just then, Brenna bursts in – and she is as angry as ever! After giving him an earful about drinking, she discusses having the Bringloidi children educated with the ship's children. A drunk Danilo goes along, and Brenna quickly sets everyone back to work. She even has a few choice words for Worf.

" Clones?!? "

Upon arriving at the nearby system, the Enterprise is hailed from the surface. The caller identifies himself as Wilson Granger , prime minister of Mariposa . Although the Granger surname leads Data to believe Wilson is a descendant of Walter, the captain of the Mariposa , Wilson points out that this is not exactly true. Still, he is eager to reestablish ties with Earth after several centuries and invites them down planetside. Troi cautions, however, to Riker that Wilson is hiding something. Riker promises to investigate further and leaves the bridge in a turbolift .

An away team composed of Riker, Worf, and Pulaski visits the Mariposans , and is greeted by the planet's Minister of Health, Victor Granger , who they are surprised to see resembles Wilson exactly, causing them to assume Victor to be his twin brother. Pulaski, while scanning the inhabitants discreetly, quickly learns that the entire Mariposan society is composed of clones .

Act Four [ ]

" You want to clone us? Not me, no way! "

Wilson confirms Pulaski's assumption; the Mariposa had suffered a hull breach during landing, and only five people (two women, three men) survived, not enough to sustain the colony. However, as they were all scientists , they found another way to survive: cloning. Everyone is a clone of one of those five survivors. Through a combination of drug therapy and strong cultural taboos reinforced over several generations, they have suppressed their natural impulse towards sexual reproduction, and now find the practice outdated and somewhat repugnant.

However, Wilson admits to Pulaski that their cloning process has failed to eliminate replicative fading , the genetic drift -based process by which subtle imperfections creep into each successive set of "copies": they will be unable to produce viable clones. Wilson therefore asks the Enterprise crew to donate fresh DNA so they can clone new citizens. Riker immediately refuses because he values his individuality and believes his being cloned perhaps thousands of times diminishes him in ways he cannot fathom. Picard points out that Riker's attitude is not unique and that Wilson will be hard-pressed to get consent from anyone on board the Enterprise . Picard does agree, however, to help repair defective equipment, and Pulaski is curious about the replicative fading effect. Granger grants her permission to return to the surface and hopefully states that perhaps she will discover a solution that their scientists may have missed. Pulaski thanks the prime minister for his compliments on her scientific prowess, but she reminds him that the repairing of the equipment will not solve the colonists' problems.

As Riker and Pulaski report to Wilson that repairs are almost complete, they are shot from behind with a phaser -like weapon and stunned. The two are dragged away to have some of their cells taken without their knowledge while Wilson tells Geordi La Forge that he hadn't seen Riker or Pulaski after he enters his office asking about their whereabouts.

Destroying the clones

La Forge eventually finds Riker and Pulaski back on the Enterprise . He wonders where they had been since every clone he spoke to lied about their whereabouts; he knew they were lying because his VISOR reads beyond normal vision, and he has trained himself to detect the physiological signs of Human deception. Between the three of them, Riker and Pulaski note inconsistencies and finally holes in their memories. Curious, Dr. Pulaski scans Riker, La Forge, and herself with her medical tricorder . She finds that both she and Riker are missing some epithelial cells; interstitial undifferentiated cells had been extracted from their stomachs without their knowledge.

Outraged and repulsed at what the Mariposans have done, the three transport directly to the cloning labs. Inside, two clones are incubating: clones derived from their cells. Riker proceeds to destroy his maturing clone with his phaser, and Pulaski's clone with her permission, to the chagrin of Prime Minister Granger. A heated argument ensues. Riker accuses the Mariposans of stealing, but Wilson counters that desperation had forced their hand; they do have a right to survive.

Act Five [ ]

" A match made in heaven! "

Back on the Enterprise , Picard considers the Mariposans' situation. Pulaski reports that Wilson's concerns are valid; their DNA will become terminally faded in two to three generations. Riker insists on a full inspection of the cloning lab, in case the Mariposans found more tissue samples to steal. Troi counters that the Mariposans are doing what anyone else would do given the situation. However, Pulaski notes that providing fresh DNA to them will only stave off the replicative fading for about fifteen generations.

The only long-term solution is "breeding stock". Picard realizes there is an answer: the Bringloidi. Troi immediately agrees; the colonies have complementary traits (the Bringloidi's drive and the Mariposans's sophistication) that could work well in concert. If the two could be convinced to merge, both their problems would be solved; the Bringloidi would have a new home, while the Mariposans would have sufficient genetic diversity to sustain themselves. Riker notes the one catch, though; " Unfortunately, it will have to be a shotgun wedding. "

" Send in the clones. "

Wilson Granger and Danilo Odell are brought in to discuss the merge in the Enterprise 's observation lounge. It does not start well. Wilson looks with disdain at the technologically backward, whiskey-loving Danilo, and Danilo is not impressed by Granger's haughty attitudes. Picard points out that they may have to confiscate the cloning lab to inspect for stolen tissue samples. Wilson takes it as blackmail , but Pulaski points out that they are doomed anyway; lab or no lab, the colony will otherwise be vacant in approximately fifty years .

Wilson is still reluctant to tear down a centuries-strong culture, but Danilo points out that they are open to new ideas. This diversity is what they need to strengthen themselves. As for breaking down the sexual taboos, that will be up to nature to fix. Pulaski then notes that the Bringloidi will also have to change. She deduces that 30 couples are enough to ensure a healthy genepool, though it would be better for the genepool to be broader. To encourage genetic diversity, polyandry and polygyny will have to be permitted and encouraged for at least several generations; every woman in the colony must have a minimum of three children, with a minimum of three different husbands. Danilo considers it and is willing to adapt. He spits his palm and offers it to Wilson, saying, " It's a done deal. " Grudgingly, Wilson shakes it. " I must be out of my mind, " Picard states to Pulaski. " Starfleet will probably agree with you, " Pulaski replies.

Granger sees the Bringloidi society

They all head for Cargo Hold 7 where the Bringloidi are currently residing. Wilson is genuinely shocked and horrified at the Bringloidi, especially seeing a pregnant woman for the first time. Meanwhile, Brenna, sharp-tongued as ever, wonders angrily how this whole business will sort itself out. Picard offers her the chance to be taken to a starbase and seek out a new destination on her own, but Brenna is reluctant to leave her father. When she learns that Wilson is Prime Minister and leader of the Mariposans, however, she realizes that "moving up" may not be such a bad idea.

Log entries [ ]

Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2365

Memorable quotes [ ]

" What have they done to my ship now? "

" What can we do? We asked for your help and you refused us! We are desperate! Desperate!! " " And that gave you the right to assault us? To rob us at…! " " We have the rights to survive!!"

" My God, Picard, the place is a bloody death trap… lightning bolts falling from the ceiling! Just what the hell was that thing?! " " Automated fire system. A force field contains the flame until the remaining oxygen has been consumed. " " Ah, wh-wh-what if I'd been under that thing? " " You would have been standing in the fire. " " Yeah, well, leaving that aside for the moment – what would have happened to me? " " You would have suffocated and died. " " Ah, sweet mercy. "

" Medical emergency. Dr. Pulaski to the bridge. " " What happened? " " He just collapsed, sir. "

" I am fine. " " You're not fine, you fainted. " " I did not faint. Klingons do not faint. "

(Farm animals making noises in the background) " Captain, you'd better get somebody down here. Right away. "

" William Riker, you're a mess! "

" Will, is something wrong? " " What do you mean? " " Do you not like girls? " " Of course I do. Oh, is there a certain technique to this foot washing? " " You generally start at the top and work your way down. " " I think I could get used to that. "

" What are these animals doing here, Number One? " " I'm sorry, sir. It was either this or arguing until Hell froze over. "

" That isn't necessary. The ship will clean itself. " " Well… good for the bloody ship! "

" Tell me, is your entire population made up of clones, Prime Minister? " " Clones? " " Clones? " " Clones. "

" Sometimes, Number One, you just have to… bow to the absurd. "

" You want to clone us? " " Yes. "

" She is very much like a Klingon woman. "

" Oh ho ho ho! Right now and let's go stake out my three women. Send in the clones! " " I must be out of my mind. " " Starfleet will probably agree with you. "

" Now that's what I call a wee drop of the creature. "

" Hello my darl'n'! "

" Madam, have you ever considered a career in security? " " Well if it's anything like babysitting, then I'm an authority! "

Background information [ ]

Deleted scenes [ ].

Several scenes were filmed but later cut from the episode during editing. These were later included as features on the TNG Season 2 Blu-ray release.

Act 3, Scene 24C – William T. Riker returns to the bridge after his romantic encounter with Brenna Odell.
Act 4, Scene 33 – An alternate version of the Observation Lounge scene where Granger describes the Mariposan history of cloning, with a few additional lines of dialogue.
Act 4, Scene 39B – Danilo Odell tells the Bringloidi settlers a story of the colony's founding.
Act 5, Scene 48 – Data expresses a wish to further study the combined colony; Worf recites Klingon poetry.

Production history [ ]

Script revision ( titled "Send In The Clones"): 14 March 1989
Fourth revised final draft script: 17 March 1989 [2]
Premiere airdate: 22 May 1989
First UK airdate: 28 August 1991

Story and production [ ]

Winrich Kolbe with Jonathan Frakes and Rosalyn Landor

Melinda Snodgrass remarked, " It was intended to be a commentary about immigration, because I hate the current American policy. I wanted it to be something that says sometimes those outsiders you think are so smelly and wrong-colored, can bring enormous benefits to your society because they bring life and energy. That's what I was going for. Now my boss, at the time, was Maury Hurley , who is a major Irishman and leads the Saint Patrick's Day parade. When I was describing to him what I wanted to do, I was trying to come up with an analogy, and I said it was like a little village of Irish tinkerers, and he loved it so much he made me make them Irish tinkerers. I said okay, and that's how it came about. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 181)
Snodgrass admitted that rewrites and budget restrictions resulted in the intended commentary being lost. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 88))
The episode title, "Up The Long Ladder," derives from an expression, "Up the long ladder and down the short rope," a reference to the gallows in an Irish rhyme popularized in the Tommy Makem song, "Are You Ready for a War?" [3] [4] ( citation needed • edit )
A draft title for the episode was "Send In the Clones," a pun on the Stephen Sondheim song " Send in the Clowns ." The title was changed late in the production, after the scripts were already printed. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 88))
"Brionglóid" is the Irish word for "dream." ( Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 , p. 109)
Wil Wheaton ( Wesley Crusher ) does not appear in this episode.
The African pygmy goats used in the Bringloidi scenes were bred by property master Alan Sims and his family. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 88))
Just after arriving on Mariposa, Dr. Pulaski notices a sculpture holding a large sphere reminiscent of the receptacles from the TOS episode " Return to Tomorrow ", which also featured Diana Muldaur .
When Picard and Riker examine the list of ships launched in the relevant time period, they find no ships with a destination in the Ficus Sector. However, the SS Mariposa is on that list. When Data suggests looking for the manifest, Picard finds the SS Mariposa, with a destination of the Ficus Sector, making it unclear why that destination was not included on the original list.
When Picard is examining the Mariposa 's cargo manifest, he mentions "Yoshimitsu computers". The name Yoshimitsu can later be seen (in katakana ) on the Mariposan cloning apparatus.
In the original footage, when Riker confers with Picard in the ready room, one of the mission categories of 22nd century ships lists "Diplomatic Mission to Alderaan ," a reference to Star Wars . ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 88)) This was changed to the real star Aldebaran in the remastered version.

Continuity [ ]

Riker mentions that one of him is unique, and perhaps even special, but a hundred or a thousand would diminish that status. He later finds out what that is like when he runs into a duplicate of himself, Thomas Riker , in TNG : " Second Chances ".

Reception [ ]

"Up the Long Ladder" was criticized from two directions. Snodgrass recalled, " I got enormous flack from the right to life coalition because they destroyed the clones. They thought I was condoning abortion. In fact, I did put a line in Riker's mouth that was very pro-choice and the right to life coalition went crazy. He says "I told you that you can't clone me and you did it against my will, and I have the right to have control over my own body." That's my feeling and it was my soapbox, and it was one I got to get on. I was supported by Maurice all the way. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 181)
The episode was also criticized by Irish-Americans for presenting an overly-stereotyped view of their culture. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 88))
Ronald D. Moore called it "embarrassing" ( AOL chat , 1997 ) and in 2012 further called it " terrible beyond terrible. " ( TNG Season 3 Blu-ray " Inside the Writer's Room " special feature)
A mission report for this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine issue 9 , pp. 43-45.
Director Rick Kolbe remarks, " It was a lot of fun to do. I didn't have to sit there and tell people to pull it back. I wanted a contrast between our guys, who are a little bit uptight and buttoned down, and the Irish in that episode, who were going bananas. " ( The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine issue 21 , p. 30)
Colm Meaney hates this episode due to the Irish stereotypes. On the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode DS9 : " If Wishes Were Horses ", he demanded that a leprechaun in the script be changed to Rumpelstiltskin .

Apocrypha [ ]

The Bringloidi and the Mariposans were revisited in the Star Trek: Starfleet Corps of Engineers eBook Out of the Cocoon .

Video and DVD releases [ ]

Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video ): Volume 22 , catalog number VHR 2505, 7 October 1991
UK re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment ): Volume 2.6, catalog number VHR 4742, 21 June 1999
As part of the TNG Season 2 DVD collection
As part of the TNG Season 2 Blu-ray collection

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as Cmdr. William Riker / William T. Riker clone

Also starring [ ]

LeVar Burton as Lt. Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Lt. Worf
Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data

Special appearance by [ ]

Diana Muldaur as Doctor Pulaski / Katherine Pulaski clone

Guest stars [ ]

Barrie Ingham as Danilo Odell
Jon De Vries as Wilson Granger / Victor Granger
Rosalyn Landor as Brenna Odell

Co-star [ ]

Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien

Stand-ins [ ]

James G. Becker – stand-in for Jonathan Frakes
Darrell Burris – stand-in for LeVar Burton
Dexter Clay – stand-in for Michael Dorn
Jeffrey Deacon – stand-in for Patrick Stewart
Nora Leonhardt – stand-in for Marina Sirtis
Tim McCormack – stand-in for Brent Spiner

References [ ]

22nd century ; 2123 ; 2165 ; 2190 ; 2365 ; 2415 ; " a lick of work "; " a match in heaven "; ability ; accordion ; Adam and Eve ; ailment ; alcohol ; alien ; alliance ; amenity ; anachronism ; animal ; answer ; antidote ; apology ; area ; argument ; arrival ; assault ; asteroid ; attitude ; authority ; automated fire system ; away team ; babysitting ; baggage ; beer ; Berkshire pig ; bigotry ; blackmail ; blatherskite ; blood flow ; blood glucose level ; blood pressure ; " bloody "; blushing ; body ; bravery ; breath rate ; breeding stock ; Bringloid (star); Bringloid V ; Bringloid V colony ; Bringloid system ; Bringloidi ; brother ; bureaucracy ; butterfly ; caloric intake ; carnal ; career ; cargo ; Cargo Hold 7 ; cargo manifest ; catastrophe ; cattle ; cavern ; ceiling ; cell ; cellular comlink ; century ; charity ; chech'tluth ; chicken ; chief of staff ; childhood ; childhood disease ; children ; choice ; chromosome ; circulatory failure ; city ; class M ; clone ; cloning ; cloning lab ; code ; colonist ; colonization ; comfort ; communication network ; compliment ; computer ; concept ; concertina ; copy ; course ; cow ; creature ; damage ; danger ; date ; daughter ; day ; death ; " death trap "; debate ; descendant ; destination ; device ; Dieghan, Liam ; distress beacon ; distress signal ; DNA ; DNA sample ; doctor ; door ; download ; dozen ; dream ; drug ; duck ; Earth ; Earth colony ; effect ; epithelial cells ; error ; European Hegemony ; evacuation ; evidence ; experience ; expertise ; extraterrestrial ; face ; faint ; fasting ; father ; Federation ; Ficus sector ; fire ; firefighting ; floor ; food dispenser ; foot ; force field ; founder ; frequency ; gene pool ; generation ; genetic base ; glucose ; goat ; Granger, Walter ; hand ; handshake ; harm ; hat ; hell ; history ; home ; homebrew ; hospitality ; hour ; hull breach ; Human ; humiliation ; hundred ; husband ; " hustle and bustle "; idea ; illness ; information ; Ireland ; Irish ; Irish language ; Klingon ; Klingon tea ceremony ; landing ; launch ; law ; leader ; " let nature take its course "; lightning bolt ; light year ; liquor ; livestock ; love poetry ; luggage ; machine ; magic ; magnitude ; mainframe ; Mariposa ; Mariposa colony ; Mariposa , SS ; Mariposans ; maturity ; measles ; " meat and potatoes "; medical emergency ; medical facility ; medical problem ; medical tricorder ; meeting ; meter ; minister ; Minister of Health ; Miss ; mister ; monitor beacon satellite ; month ; monogamy ; Moore ; mortality ; mug ; murder ; murderer ; mystery ; nature ; Neo-Transcendentalist ; November ; number one ; office ; Old Earth calendar ; opportunity ; origin point ; " out of my mind "; " out of the question "; oxygen ; pain ; peace ; period ; permission ; person ; philosopher ; physical activity ; physical manifestation ; pig ; pipe ; place ; pleasure ; polygamy ; population ; poteen ; power source ; premise ; prime minister ; prize ; problem ; progenitor ; prognosis ; pulse ; pupil ; quadruplets ; question ; reason ; record ; refugee ; repairs ; right ; ritual ; rob ; rod ; romantic ; rop'ngor ; replicative fading ; school ; scientist ; secret ; security ; security officer ; sensor sweep ; sexual drive ; sexual reproduction ; sheep ; shield ; shock ; shotgun wedding ; signal ; signal beacon ; skin ; " slipped my mind "; society ; solution ; SOS ; spaceship ; Spanish language ; spindle ; spinning wheel ; spitting ; stake out ; standing ; starbase ; Starbase 73 ; Starbase 73 planet ; Starbase Research ; Starfleet ; stellar chart ; stellar flare ; stomach ; suffocation ; surface ; survival : synthehol ; tea ; technical support away team ; technical team ; technician ; Terran ; theory ; thief ; thought ; thousand ; thread ; time period ; tissue sample ; title ; toe ; transporter room 3 ; triplets ; truth ; twins ; unconscious ; utopians ; VISOR ; wall ; warrior ; " wee "; week ; wheel ; whiskey ; word ; work ; World War III ; Wyandotte chicken ; yarn ; Yoshimitsu computer

Library computer references [ ]

Interstellar Expeditions (original) : 2102 ; 2105 ; 2119 ; 2120 ; 2135 ; 2137 ; 2146 ; 2160 ; 2183 ; 2187 ; ADR looping ; Alderaan ; BBI-993 ; Buckaroo Banzai , SS ; deep space exploration ; DEV ; diplomatic mission ; DY-245 ; DY-430 ; DY-500 ; DY-732 ; DY-950 ; DY-1200 ; Eagle Valley , DEV ; Glick, Dave ; Hatteras , SS ; HMS ; Hokule'a , SS ; King, Dan ; Kolbe, Winrich ; Lederman, Bob ; Loes, Gary ; Lord Nelson , HMS ; NAR18834 ; nebula survey project ; Neuss, Wendy ; New Zealand , HMS ; Planet 10 (DIM-8) ; Roddenberry, Gene ; RT-2203 ; Seattle , SS ; Sector 184 ; Sector 185 ; Snodgrass, Melinda ; Sol system ; stellar chart mapping ; Tomobiki , SS ; Tucker, Steve ; Urusei Yatsura , SS ; Velikan , VK ; VK ; Whorfin, John ; Young Jae Kim ; Yuri Gagarin , VK
Interstellar Expeditions (remastered) : 2102 ; 2105 ; 2119 ; 2120 ; 2135 ; 2137 ; 2146 ; 2160 ; 2183 ; 2187 ; Aldebaran ; BBI-993 ; Buckaroo Banzai , SS ; deep space exploration ; DEV ; diplomatic mission ; DY-245 ; DY-430 ; DY-500 ; DY-732 ; DY-950 ; DY-1200 ; Eagle Valley , DEV ; Glick, Dave ; Hatteras , SS ; HMS ; Hokule'a , SS ; King, Dan ; Winrich, Kolbe; Lederman, Bob ; Loes, Gary ; Lord Nelson , HMS ; NAR18834 ; nebula survey project ; Neuss, Wendy ; New Zealand , HMS ; Planet 10 (DIM-8) ; RT-2203 ; Seattle , SS ; Sector 184 ; Sector 185 ; Snodgrass, Melinda ; Sol system ; SR-47 ; stellar chart mapping ; Tomobiki , SS ; Tucker, Steve ; Urusei Yatsura , SS ; Velikan , VK ; VK ; Volland, Mike ; Whorfin, John ; Young Jae Kim ; Yuri Gagarin , VK
SS Mariposa Page 1 : Baikonur Cosmodrome ; delta-vee ; gross vehicle mass ; metric ton ; New United Nations ; NVP ; OCC ; UN Registry ; Yoyodyne pulse fusion
SS Mariposa Page 3 : Banzai Pipeline Surfboard ; Cargo Hold ID Code ; quantity ; rotary tiller ; University of Manitoba

Deleted references [ ]

Deleted scenes references [ ].

hardening of the arteries ; Starbase 114

SS Mariposa Page 2 : Kolbe, Winrich ; Snodgrass

External links [ ]

"Up The Long Ladder" at StarTrek.com
" Up The Long Ladder " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
" Up the Long Ladder " at Wikipedia
" Up The Long Ladder " at MissionLogPodcast.com , a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast
"Up The Long Ladder" script at Star Trek Minutiae
" Up The Long Ladder " at the Internet Movie Database
3 ISS Enterprise (NCC-1701)

Den of Geek

Revisiting Star Trek TNG: Up The Long Ladder

Send in the clones... James' TNG season 2 look-back arrives at a poorly developed immigration parable.

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This review contains spoilers.

2.17 Up the Long Ladder

The Enterprise receives a distress call from planet Bringloid V, the location of a centuries-old (and long-forgotten) Earth colony, founded by one half of the crew of the SS Mariposa. The Bringloidi are space-farmers following a luddite/Amish-style philosophy rejecting technology-reliant living, but luckily they had a somewhat advanced distress probe lying around in case things got difficult. And that’s exactly what happened, because their planet is now about to be destroyed by solar activity.

After sending Riker to meet them (off camera) Picard happily agrees to evacuate the Bringloidi colonists and take them to a nearby starbase, leading to a hilarious scene where O’Brien transports a bunch of people, two sheep, a goat and a chicken onto the Enterprise only for them to gawp like the space-yokels they are. Also, for some reason, he transports a load of hay with them as well (can’t get the staff…).

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After setting his people up in the cargo bay, O’Dell, the planet’s leader and an almost offensively stereotypical Irishman (lots of planets have an Ireland…) thanks Picard for his hospitality (well, he actually says something like “If’n oi could be tankin’ ye Captain Picard” before kissing a space-Blarney Stone) and casually inquires if the Enterprise has encountered the “other” colonists. It turns out the other half of the Mariposa’s crew, more conventional colonists, set up elsewhere nearby, so Picard heads off to find them.

Meanwhile, Riker is putting the moves on O’Dell’s daughter, Brenna, which is totally appropriate behaviour for a man in his position. I mean, it’s not like it’s the first time he’s tried to sleep with an important diplomatic figure, although at least this time it’s not actively endangering any investigations or negotiations.

When the Enterprise finds the other colonists – the Mariposans – it emerges that they’re a society of clones, following an accident with their original landing party. Unfortunately, their cloning techniques produce imperfections and in a generation or two, replicative fade will wipe them out. Their leader, Prime Minster Granger, asks if the Enterprise crew will donate some DNA so that they can continue their civilisation because they now find biological reproduction “repulsive” (which means they’ve at least kept up with episodes of One Born Every Minute , if nothing else.)

The Enterprise crew decline, slightly horrified by the idea, although because they’re unfamiliar with polite behaviour the Mariposans knock out Riker and Pulaski and steal their DNA to grow some clones anyway. When the pair find out, they transport to the cloning labs and incinerate their still-developing copies right in their very tubes. It’s all a bit existential. Granger is understandably upset at what is arguably murder, but Pulaski advises them to start breeding normally instead. Granger quite rightly points out that there are only five of them, which isn’t a viable gene pool. Suddenly, lightbulbs go on over everyone’s head.

Back on the enterprise, Picard brings O’Dell and Granger together for a meeting and suggests integrating the two colonies. Neither is keen, but the episode is wrapping up so they agree to attempt it. Brenna decides to go off with Prime Minister Granger, although monogamous marriage is “temporarily suspended” until the gene pool is sufficiently widened and each woman is encouraged to have at least three husbands. Er, a happy ending, I suppose?

TNG WTF: I get that the idea is to play up the differences between a “rural” culture and another that relies on technology, but they perhaps take the concept a little too far by giving the Space-farmers space-Whiskey and Space-hay and Space-accents. O’Dell was continually about three seconds away from declaring Picard to be “after his Lucky Charms”.

TNG LOL: “Send in the clones” is undoubtedly one of the greatest lines written in all TNG history, but although the painfully stereotypical portrayal of the space-Irish does deliver some genuinely funny moments, as usual it’s up to Worf providing the best jokes when he deadpans to the formidable and ranting Brenna “Madam, have you ever considered a career in security?”

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Mistakes and Minutiae: Riker’s speech about how a second William Riker would diminish him “in ways he can barely imagine” is particularly ironic, given that there is, right now, a transporter-accident Riker clone stranded somewhere on another planet waiting to be discovered in the season six episode, Second Chances .

Time Until Meeting: 29:20. Prime Minister Granger requests a meeting that Picard is only too happy to grant. Although, there is a meeting mere minutes before the start of this episode too – almost the first thing Picard says is “I’ve just come from a meeting…”

HOWEVER, meeting fans, we get a great moment in this episode when two rival planet leaders are bickering during their summit and Picard shouts them both down, loudly declaring that he “will not allow posturing and bigotry to destroy this meeting!”. Yes, the sanctity of the meeting must be protected at all cost!

Captain’s Log: Well, it’s not TNG ‘s finest hour, that’s for sure, although the unconventional episode structure means it’s at least interesting on one level – it’s a rare occurrence of them meeting a society which DOESN’T have a terrible hidden secret. Although because they meet two, one does.

Still, the ideas are decent and there’s a vague pro-immigration message in there, but sadly none of it gets developed quite far enough to make an actual point. And there’s also a whole subplot about Worf getting the Klingon version of the measles which I didn’t even mention in the recap because it has absolutely nothing to do with anything.

The best you can say is that it’s not as bad an episode as you might’ve found in season one, but it’s still strange to see something so poorly-developed showing up this late in the series, when the show has more or less found its feet.

Watch or Skip? Watch if you find the Space Irish funny, but otherwise you can safely skip it.

Read James’ look-back at the previous episode, Samaritan Snare, here .

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Up the Long Ladder

Star trek: the next generation.

An antiquated distress signal leads to two lost 22nd century Earth colonies, each facing doom in different ways, one by fire, the other by prolonged cloning.
When Starfleet receives an Earth-like distress signal from deep in space, the Enterprise is sent to investigate. Picard suspects the Earthlings in question may have originated with the SS Mariposa, which settled a group of Utopians hundreds of years ago. He is intrigued at the odd mix of equipment they carry. When they arrive and realize that solar flares from the planet's sun will kill them, the Captain orders the colonists removed to the Enterprise for their safety. When the refugees mention another group they originally separated from, the ship travels to the Mariposa colony, made up entirely of clones from their five original survivors. Elsewhere, Worf collapses at his station on the bridge and Dr. Pulaski tries to diagnose what may be wrong with him. He's less than pleased to learn that he has the Klingon version of the measles. — garykmcd
Checking on a centuries-outdated distress call from an Earth-launched space colonization ship, the Enterprise finds and rescues rustic colonists from a flares-threatened planet - Danilo Odell's primitive agricultural colony set up by an Amish-like anti-progress movement. Learning that the mission was synchronous with a modern scientific one, the ship discovers another colony in a nearby system, one technologically advanced and composed only of clones from five surviving crash-landed colonists, all suffering from replicate deteriorations which must prove fatal in few generations. When Enterprise personnel refuse to donate their DNA, the scientists try in vain to steal it. Picard devises a daring alternative. — KGF Vissers
An urgent distress signal leads the U.S.S. Enterprise to save a lost colony about to be destroyed by stellar flares. The Bringloidi colony - which consists of over 200 humans and their animals - had rejected modern science to live a pre-industrial Irish life. The entire population transports to the Enterprise, where Piccard learns that the original colony ship also carried a science-oriented group. The other lost colony is located nearby (half a light year away). The Enterprise crew learns that the entire Mariposan society comprises clones made from the five crew members who survived their ship's crash landing. Unfortunately, due to replicative fading, they will soon be unable to clone themselves further and their society will die. Enterprise officers are asked to donate their DNA to clone new citizens - which is refused. The Mariposans then render Riker and Dr . Pulaski unconscious and take the DNA wanted. Upon returning to the U.S.S. Enterprise, Dr. Pulaski discovers that both she and Riker are missing cells, so they beam down and destroy their developing clones. Picard suggests that the two colonies merge and breed naturally. Initially reluctant, both sides agree. — Michael W Hughes
When Starfleet receives an Earth-like distress signal (a SOS) from deep in space (Ficus sector, where are no known Earth colonies), the Enterprise is sent to investigate. The SOS signal has not been used in several centuries. The SOS signal matches the technology from Earth period 2133 AD to 2190 AD. It was launched by the European Government. But there are no launches from that period that went to or near the Ficus sector. Data suggests checking the manifest logs for any records of a ship headed to the Ficus sector. Picard finds that the Earthlings in question may have originated with the SS Mariposa (Captained by Walter Granger), which settled a group of Utopians hundreds of years ago. He is intrigued at the odd mix of equipment they carry, which includes advanced machines, but also spinning wheels, pigs, chicken, cattle, and so on. Data theorizes that this was a group of Utopians, out to establish their own system of society. When they arrive and realize that solar flares from the planet's sun will kill the colonists. But the Enterprise cannot make contact with the surface and can't figure out where all the technology went that they brought with them. The solar flares will touch the planet in 3.6 hours and the colonists need to be evacuated before that. Riker is beamed down to assess the situation and beam the colonists to Enterprise (there are 200 of them). The captain orders the colonists removed to the Enterprise for their safety. The refugees are technically backward (they sustain themselves with farm animals) & led by Danilo Odell (Barrie Ingham) & Brenna Odell (Rosalyn Landor) (Danilo's daughter). The refugees are transferred to the cargo bay. They try to light a fire to cook food and have difficulty in adjusting to life on a spaceship. They mention another group a nearby planet (only half a light year away) they originally separated from. This seems to be the destination of the colonists who possessed the more sophisticated equipment. The Enterprise then travels to the Mariposa colony, made up entirely of clones from their five original survivors. Prime Minister Wilson Granger (Jon DeVries) is in charge. Riker has a crush on Brenna. He brings her to his cabin, and they have sex. Wilson tells Picard about how the skin of the ship was damaged when landing at the Mariposa colony. Only 5 scientists survived, and they turned to cloning to keep their DNA alive. Sexual drive was repressed in the beginning and now evolved out of the colonists. They need fresh DNA to keep the colony going. They are suffering from "replicative fading". Every time they clone, they are making a copy of the copy and as such error creep into the Chromosomes. Eventually, making the clone unsustainable. Wilson asks for tissue sample for a fresh supply of DNA. When Picard refuses, Wilson abducts Riker and Pulaski when they go back to the surface to complete some repairs. They undergo some medical procedure, but later are returned to the Enterprise. Pulaski figures out she and Riker are missing some stomach lining cells, which will be used by the colonists for cloning them. Riker beams down with Pulaski and finds their bodies already being cloned. He destroys the clones. The Maripossa are desperate, but they don't need fresh DNA as in 15 generations they will have the same problems again. They need breeding stock. The solution is the refugees on board the Enterprise. For a wide enough genetic base, each woman refugee and Mariposan will need to have 3 babies, one each from 3 different partners. The leads Wilson and Odell accept. Elsewhere, Worf collapses at his station on the bridge and Dr. Pulaski tries to diagnose what may be wrong with him. He's less than pleased to learn that he has the Klingon version of the measles. Worf fears the humiliation as measles is a kid's disease. Pulaski tries to save him from the blushes, by covering for him. Worf, to repay the favor, performs the Klingon tea ceremony for Pulaski.