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Star Trek: The Next Generation 2x18 "Up the Long Ladder" - Full Watch-along (Patreon)

Published:
2026-05-15 18:00:08
Imported:
2026-10

Content

Follow along with me using your own copy of the episode!

Files

Star Trek: The Next Generation 2x18 "Up the Long Ladder" - Full Watch-along

Comments

Jim Jones

Definitely a slower low stakes plot. Just a run of the mill mission. Fun facts! It was originally called “Send in the Clones.” That was the draft title, a pun on Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns.” The title was changed late enough that printed scripts still carried the old title. Colm Meaney reportedly disliked the episode because of the Irish stereotyping. Ronald Moore later trashed it pretty brutally. Moore called the episode “embarrassing” in a 1997 AOL chat and later described it as “terrible beyond terrible” in a TNG Season 3 Blu-ray feature.

Greg

I agree with Bunny this is a weird episode, but I've always liked this one. It's quirky and silly in a fun way, and it's not anything that lingers or has major plot points, it's just a neatly contained single episode. There's a lot going on here, and most of it I thought was pretty good -- Worf being sick and sharing the tea with the Doctor when she helped him, two groups of people who had started off together being reunited again, a moral question about the clones, and a really strong assertive woman with the colony who I REALLY like and thought nailed her performance. Plus we get to see Riker turn on the charm with her and even her attitude soften some around him. The ending is kind of abrupt, agree, but everyone was in the episode a little bit and we got to learn more about some of the characters such as Picard and Worf here. The only issue I really have a problem with is LaForge and his 'all seeing all knowing' visor. Being able to tell when humans ALWAYS lie strikes me as going a bit too far in the plot, and it seems that the writers realized this as you never hear mention of this again. The new title doesn't really indicate at all what is this about, though. One last question -- it's never really quite stated where the distress beacon came from. I assume it came from the clones, as they had the tech -- but it was the simple group living underground due to the sun flaring up who had more of the pressing need for help. They wouldn't HAVE a distress beacon. So if the colony sent it, why didn't the Enterprise just trace the signal THERE first?

William Terry

Many things to like in the first act; Worf scenes; Data and Picard talking over each other; bunny referencing Space Invaders; and of course, Brenna's midriff.

Mark Chrisco

For fun, go to 28.10 of your reaction. There's a quick and subtle callback to the tos episode, Return to Tomorrow which featured Diana Muldaur. "I am Sargon."

Marcus Hicks

Ah yes, the one with all the racist Irish stereotypes 😆.

Desmond

Best part of this episode was Stewart cracking up. "Sometimes you just have to bow to the absurd." Pretty silly and inconsequential episode.

Matthew Graves (Graviton)

I agree with your take on this one Bunny. If had to pick one word to describe this one it'd be "lightweight". It's fine as far as it goes. It's got a bit of drama, but all very low stakes. It's got a bit of action, but it's resolved in less than 5 minutes. And it's got some humor but never rises above mild amusement. There's nothing really bad here, but also nothing that's all that engaging. Like you, Bunny, I think the tea ceremony stuff was the most interesting. If it wasn't already clear that Riker is a colossal horndog we get it cemented here. The only really strong memory I have of this one is that for a brief time, among my social circle we made "Constipated Klingon!" a favorite playful insult/expletive.

TJ

Well... they all can't be good. This episode did have "moments", like the tea ceremony between Worf and Pulaski, but the rest of it was mostly forgettable... Onward and upward!

Jack

Hahaha, I always call this one the "Irish redneck episode" in my head. 😄 The best character stuff is definitely between Worf and Pulaski. Beyond that, I think you had it nailed -- kind of a low stakes episode. I never really noted it on prior viewings, but this time it dawned on me that Wes was noticeably absent. I wonder why? I must confess, that Irish lady's cable knit crop top and bare midriff sent my 14-year-old heart a-racing back in the day, and the affect has not diminished a bit in the intervening years. That ensemble is definitely an attention getter! 🥵 Would it be untoward to suggest a potential cosplay photoshoot opportunity? 😁 Something else I noticed this time that I didn't pick up on before: Geordi and his magic visor can tell when humans are lying based on observing physiological markers. Does that mean he can tell when people are bluffing, too? Geordi, have you been cheating at poker?! 🤨🃏😆 Overall, I'd say this feels like a TOS episode more than anything else.

Jack

I'd agree it's pretty campy, and maybe a little cringey in places, but I don't think it's all that bad. If anything, it feels like an episode that would have been more at home on TOS. Maybe this was one of those old repurposed scripts?

Carlos Stevens

What I love about these series of episodes in Season 2 (since Pen Pals) is how all the characters are developed. As silly as this episode was there was much character development. Especially as you pointed out between Worf and Pulaski. But, I think you'll see there was a solidification in how all the actors play their respective characters. Not just this episode, but throughout season 2.

Carlos Stevens

I don't know... did Bunny actually play Space Invaders, or does she just know about it? If I remember correctly, Space Invaders was like the 3rd video game that was popular. First was Pong... Second was Asteroids... third was of course Space Invaders.

bunnytails

Oh no! I bet Geordie HAS been cheating! haha

bunnytails

I liked that Picard moment as well :D

Greg

Computer Space was actually the first commercial arcade game, though it didn't sell well. Pong was the first big hit. Space Invaders was next, Asteroids came after.

Stainless Steel Cat

As soon as I saw the title I cringed at the memory of the stereotypes, but Rosalyn Landor was great as the spiky Irish lass.

Greg

This is a VERY minor spoiler for Star Trek, but I think Bunny would be OK with this -- Every male Starfleet officer (at least the human ones) have 'birth control' shots every month. I don't think this was a thing in TOS, but it WAS by TNG and later on.

Mark Gosine

Entertaining at best. So, ok. I wasn't a fan of Code of Honor. But, now, why does everyone consider that episode racist? That of a alien culture, when this episode of Irish of direct ancestors of Earth are drunken characters and laz-about good for nothings? Just an observation. Once again, just a TV show. I truly don't take offense at either.