Up The Long Ladder ( episode ) The " Enterprise " discovers two threatened colonies which must cooperate to survive . Summary . Teaser . On the bridge of the , Worf is at his post 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 . He then plays 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 . 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 for Doctor Pulaski to come to the bridge . Act One . 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 . 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 . Picard realizes that means a manifest of that loading must be on record . Sure enough , this angle provides the answer . The ship they seek is the : 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 - Transcendentalism movement , founded by Liam Dieghan . Still , the mystery of the two apparently conflicting sets of cargo remains . 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 make the tea , which is lethal to Human s , 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 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 . 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 . Act Two . Picard and Worf are on their way to the transporter room when a chicken flies out of the door . A young girl picks it up , beams , and runs back in . Once Picard is inside , one of the refugees steps forward : the colony ' s leader , Danilo Odell . 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 . 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 replicator s , they had been cooking their own food , which had triggered the automated fire - suppression force field s . Danilo is puzzled and a little nonplussed , but his reaction is nothing compared to that of the cook : his daughter , Brenna Odell . Sharp of tongue , 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 . Riker leads Brenna to his quarters . The first thing she sees is a mess , and she insists on cleaning 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 drink ) , but Danilo explains to Worf that it would need a fire . 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 . 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 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 , that Wilson is hiding something . An away team composed of Riker , Worf , and Pulaski visits the Mariposan s . Pulaski , while scanning the inhabitants discreetly , quickly learns that the entire Mariposan society is composed of clone s . Act Four . 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 scientist s , 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 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 refuses because he values his individuality . 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 . 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 . 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 ' s trained himself to detect the physiological signs of Human lying . 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 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 have a right to survive . Act Five . 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 ' 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 : " " It will have to be a shotgun wedding . " " 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 they ' re doomed anyway ; lab or no lab , the colony will be vacant in about fifty years . Wilson is still reluctant to tear down a centuries - strong culture , but Danilo points out they ' re open to new ideas . This diversity is what they need to strengthen themselves . As for breaking down the sexual taboos , that ' ll be up to nature to fix . Pulaski then notes that the Bringloidi will also have to change . 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 will be permitted and encouraged for 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 . Grudgingly , Wilson shakes it . " " I must be out of my mind , " " Picard states to Pulaski . " " Starfleet will probably agree with you , " " Pulaski replies . They all head for Cargo Hold 7 where the Bringloidi are currently residing . Wilson is genuinely shocked at the Bringloidi . Meanwhile , Brenna , sharp - tongued as ever , wonders 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 " might not be such a bad idea . 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 be 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 . " " " " 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 . " " " " Send in the clones . " " " " 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 . Links and references . References . 2123 ; 2165 ; 2190 ; 2365 ; accordion ; Adam and Eve ; alcohol ; automated fire system ; asteroid ; babysitter ; Berkshire pig ; bigotry ; Bringloid ; Bringloid V ; Bringloid V colony ; Bringloid system ; Bringloidi ; bureaucracy ; butterfly ; caloric intake ; Cargo Hold 7 ; cellular comlink ; " chech ' tluth " ; chicken ; chief of staff ; childhood ; childhood disease ; chromosome ; class M ; clone ; concertina ; cow ; ; distress beacon ; DNA ; duck ; Earth ; epithelial cell s ; European Hegemony ; extraterrestrial ; Federation ; Ficus sector ; firefighting ; glucose ; goat ; ; handshake ; Ireland ; Irish ; Irish language ; Klingon ; Klingon tea ceremony ; light year ; livestock ; love poetry ; ; Mariposa ; Mariposa colony ; Mariposan s ; measles ; medical tricorder ; meter ; minister ; monitor beacon satellite ; monogamy ; ; murder ; Neo - Transcendentalism ; number one ; Old Earth calendar ; pig ; polygamy ; poteen ; prime minister ; ; quadruplets ; refugee ; " rop ' ngor " ; replicative fading ; sheep ; shock ; SOS ; solar flare ; Spanish language ; spinning wheel ; spitting ; Starbase 73 ; Starbase 73 planet ; Starbase Research ; Starfleet ; stellar chart ; stomach ; suffocation ; synthehol ; thread ; tissue sample ; transporter room 3 ; triplets ; twins ; utopia ns ; VISOR ; whiskey ; World War III ; Wyandotte chicken ; yarn ; Yoshimitsu computer Deleted scenes references . hardening of the arteries ; Starbase 114