The crew rescues a farming colony threatened by solar flares and finds a sister colony of clones facing genetic collapse.
The Enterprise answers a distress call from a colony of farmers called the Bringloidi, who are in danger of losing their world because of a solar flare. They are rescued, but their culture clashes with that of the crew. At the same time, the ship contacts another colony, the Mariposans, who are a group of clones with an unusual issue.
The Mariposans have been cloning themselves for generations and are declining in health. Riker is asked to provide a sample for further cloning, which becomes a point of contention. The episode combines a comic clash between the two groups with a more serious message about identity and individuality. It is remembered as an odd mix of comedy and ethical drama.