The Outer Limits: Replica

Work Title: The Outer Limits: Replica
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: Replica
Year: 2001
Writer(s): Sam Egan
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

The clone of a living woman tries to edge her host out of the way so it can enjoy the life with which is has become accustomed. Comcast info description.

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: Comcast
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present day 2001

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Nora (a clone)
  • Description of the technology: Zach and Nora Griffiths have invented technology that permits human organs to be cloned. Unbeknownst to thier boss, they have also created the abilty to download a person's neural network (memories/personality). After Nora has been in a coma for a year, Zach creates a clone of her, and uploads her neural network into the clone. She thinks she is the orginal Nora, and acts exactly like her. People interac with her as if she was Nora. She acts human, a little devious, trying to not to be erased/killed.
  • Nature of task or activity: Zach interacts with her as if she was his oringal wife. When the real Nora wakes form the coma, she interacts with Nora through a conversation discussing their mutual memories.
  • Performance of the Technology: functions very well.
  • Description of creator(s): Zach and Nora are scientists, biogenitists, white, 30s, affluent.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): to advance technology.
  • Description of users of technology: Nora - white, 30s, attractive, affluent, smart.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: Zach finds the experience unnerving and creepy. He doesn't really like not having the orginal wife, although he tries to accept the clone. Nora find the experience also unnerving and creepy. She is afraid the clone will kill her.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: yes, although the clone needs to be told she is a clone - at first she doesn't know.
  • Valence of experience: Generally, they find is unpleasant and emotionally upsetting. However, by the end, they figure out a way they can all live in peace.
  • Specific responses: physiological arousal, distorted memory and social judgments, intense parasocial relationships, emotional disturbance, fear, confusion.
Long-term consequences:

After trying to decide what to do with 2 Noras, they devise an unusual solution. Both Noras want to be married to Zach, so they clone Zach as well. All 4 people live happily ever after.

Other:

Cloning is illegal.

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University