1summermission | TNG 2x18: "Up the Long Ladder" (Reply)

Episode Notes:
+ Bonus points to anyone who can tell me what the cut text is a reference to.
+ This is the second episode in a row where Picard told someone to read more history.
+ I hope the fact that Pulaski exchanged a tender moment with Worf (who is just as big a baby about his health as Picard is) doesn't mean she's going to die.
+ I love Picard's stone cold shut down to set-up efforts: "I have a daughter." "FELICITATIONS."
+ Okay, why the fuck is Riker's chick of the week wearing a cabled sweater belly shirt? What kind of space Amish is she? Also, I bet her hair is freaking matted. And her personal hygiene can't be much good. And I think she's a teetotaler.
+ Riker just found his diplomatic limit, and it's cloning!

Overall Reaction: What a bizarre, disjointed episode. Did we really have space transcendentalists? And if we did, were they really crazy Irish stereotypes? Did we really have a harridan daughter trying to keep her comically drunk father in line? Why were there clones IN THIS SAME EPISODE?

And why wouldn't the clones be children? That always drives me crazy. I'm willing to ignore the issue for really cool plots, including one recent film, but for this? No.

And, while the nonchalant suggestion that the space Amish relax their traditional marriage standards has interesting implications for what 24th century society's approach to polyamory might be, what the hell? Did they really just use the words "breeding stock"? About people? And entice the HARD-DRINKING TEMPERAMENTAL IRISH into this deal by playing to their BASE LUSTS?

What the hell?

Also, Riker is a lech.

Star Rating: *

Quote of the Episode:
"It is a test of bravery - of one's ability to look at the face of mortality. It is also a reminder that death is an experience best shared - like the tea."
"Worf, you're a romantic!"
"It is among the Klingons that love poetry achieves its fullest flower." (Worf and Pulaski -- sounding her death knoll?)