When the Bough Breaks (TNG episode)

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Star Trek: TNG episode
"When the Bough Breaks"
Picard rescues the children in "When the Bough Breaks".
Episode no.	17
Prod. code	118
Airdate	February 15, 1988
Writer(s)	Hannah Louise Shearer
Director	Kim Manners
Guest star(s)	Brenda Strong, Jerry Hardin, Paul Lambert, Ivy Bethune, Jandie Swanson
Year	2364
Stardate	41365.9
Episode chronology
Previous	"Too Short a Season"
Next	"Home Soil"

"When the Bough Breaks" is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast February 15, 1988. It is episode #17, production #118, teleplay written by Hannah Louise Shearer, and directed by Kim Manners.

Overview: A mythical planet reveals itself to the Enterprise.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

On stardate 41509.1, the USS Enterprise enters the Epsilon Mynos system, where it has tracked a strange energy signature in hopes of finding the source. Captain Picard calls for his First Officer, William Riker who is fascinated that they may have found they legendary world of "Aldea"; similar to the myths of Atlantis on Earth, and Neinman on Xerxes VII. Aldeans are supposed to be an advanced race, centuries old, who have devoted themselves to culture and art beyond value. The Aldeans are also rumored to be able to hide their planet from potential marauders.

Suddenly, Counselor Troi senses thousands of minds somewhere very close by as Lt. Worf detects an anomaly near the ship. Just then, a bright orange planet appears. Data detects a sophisticated light refracting shield around the world; a kind of cloaking device.

Picard tells Tasha Yar to send a friendly greeting, but before she can, a young woman's image appears on the screen. She identifies herself as Rashella, and bids welcome to Aldea. Almost instantly, two Aldeans transport to the Enterprise bridge. Rashella appears along with an older man, Radue. The two bring gifts of fruits and flowers. Radue apologizes for their sudden appearance, to which Dr. Crusher expresses concern for not going through transport decontamination, but Rashella indicates the only way through their shield is "their way". Radue invites them to a gathering on the planet. The two must now leave, stating the bright lights are uncomfortable to their eyes. They activate arm mounted devices and disappear from the bridge. Picard is delighted to see a myth finally revealed, however Riker has suspicions, as well as Deanna, who sensed they want something.

Riker, Troi and Dr. Crusher are picked to transport down. It seems they have been specifically selected for the meeting. They find themselves in a low-lit room, with an archway along a wall that appears to be a teleporting doorway. Rashella, Radue, and an older woman, Duana, appear from the portal. Dr. Crusher does not know anything about Aldean physiology, but from their outward human appearance, she would believe they are not in the best of health.

Back on the ship, Wesley Crusher shows interest in the Aldean cloaking device. Data guesses it is similar to Romulan technology, however to cloak an entire planet would require an immense power. Suddenly, an energy beam shoots forth from Aldea. It passes through the hull, and scans everyone on the bridge. It finally focuses on Wesley. Picard orders shields raised, but they fail to activate. The beam disappears and Wesley relaxes as Picard asks if he is alright. He says it felt scary at first, but it did not hurt him. Data reports scans on all decks, all stopping on the children.

Down on the planet, Radue answers questions about their amazing culture, stating they have evolved a very simple way of living: for whatever is taken, something is given in return. It has given them centuries of peace, however few of them remain to enjoy it. He explains they have revealed themselves because they need a new generation of younger, healthier people to preserve their ways. Riker does not understand how they can help Aldean children preserve their heritage, where Radue explains they have no children. Rashella was the last child born on Aldea. Dr. Crusher asks what their medical community has done about it, but Rashella indicates they have tried everything and failed. Radue proposes a trade. He asks for some children from the Enterprise, and in return they offer knowledge and technology the Federation will take centuries to acquire. Riker flatly refuses, stating it might be acceptable to some other alien races, but humans are quite attached to their offspring.

Radue is sorry for the rejection. Without a word, he activates his armband and sends the three officers back to the Enterprise. They appear back on the bridge, just long enough for Beverly to see her son Wesley disappear. Elsewhere on the ship, other children are taken: 10 year old Harry Bernard, two 8 year old girls, Rose and Tara, 9 year old Mason, 5 year old Alexandra, and 12 year old Katie. Picard orders Red Alert and calls down to the planet, but there is an uncomfortable silence. With no way to penetrate the Aldean shield, there is no way to rescue the children, and all they can do is wait.

Finally, Radue calls, explaining the children are safe and no harm will come to them. Picard is furious, stating they have already been harmed by being abducted against their will. Radue would like to discuss "compensation", but Picard demands he return them immediately. Radue suggests talking when the Captain has "calmed down", and the screen goes black.

Down on Aldea, the children huddle near Wesley hoping he will keep them safe. They press him for answers, but he has none. Rashella, Radue, and Duana tell the children they are "guests" and they can ask for anything they want. Wesley asks to go home, but Radue smiles, stating the "Custodian" said he would be the leader, and that it is a computer that runs their technology. He adds that it has selected each of them because they are very special.

Back on the Enterprise, Picard meets with the parents of the abducted children. Among them is Beverly. They tearfully demand to know what the Captain is going to do about this. He assures the Captain will do everything in his power to get them back and promises the Enterprise will not leave the children behind. Picard returns to the bridge where Data has been analysing the Aldean shield and may have found a flaw. He points out a weakening of the shield in certain spots, however the fluctuation is sporadic. Picard is amazed to find holes in their defense system, wondering if the Aldeans are even aware of it. Geordi LaForge adds that it may be possible to beam an away team through a hole, but it would have to be timed perfectly.

Back on the planet, Rashella has taken little Alexandra somewhere. Wesley stands with Katie and Harry in a hallway. They watch a couple take Tara away, then Radue calls them in. Wesley demands to know where they are being taken. Radue explains have being assigned to their "units"; a group of people with similar talents, like a family. But Wesley defiantly states they already have families. Another couple, Accolan and Leda, step forward to take Harry. Leda tells him they are artists, just like him. Harry is confused, saying he is not an artist. Leda says "you will be".

The musician Melian, an elderly man, takes custody of Katie. Duana explains Wesley will stay with her and Radue. They are the "First Unit", the leaders, and Wesley shows great leadership, and wisdom. Wesley demands a say in this, but Radue indicates sometimes things happen that he must accept. He is the leader of the children, and it is his duty now to make the transition as easy for them as possible. Like the Aldeans, he does not have a choice. Duana promises they will do their best to make them happy, for the secrets of their world will one day rest with them.

Duana takes Wesley to a large computer room. Wesley cannot help but wonder what lies behind a massive door along another wall. Duana shows him a central console, pointing it out as the "Custodian". She activates the computer who greets Wesley with a friendly voice. She give Wesley limited security access while explaining the computer frees them from all burden. It provides for their needs and regulates their lives. She indicates The Progenitors built it, centuries ago.

Wesley asks questions about the machine's power source, but Duana does not have the answers, saying they never think about such things. This is curious, since Wesley wonders how the system is maintained. Duana says the Custodian can answer further inquiries. Wesley asks the computer to show him where Harry is. It displays the boy in an artist's workshop. Leda teaches him how to sculpt for the first time. Harry is intrigued, already displaying a knack for it. Duana says the boy will be a sculptor. He was not aware of his skill since he was never encouraged properly. Next Wesley looks upon Alexandra, who Rashella is testing the child's reasoning skills with colored shapes. She too is enjoying herself. Wesley asks what is behind the huge door, but Duana does not know, stating it is off limits, and no one has access to it any longer.

Elsewhere, Picard and Beverly meet with the Aldeans. Picard demands to see the children before they talk, but Radue refuses stating they are here to negotiate compensation, not pander emotions. Picard makes it clear he does not condone their actions, accusing Radue of attempting to salve his conscious by offering goods. Radue asks why they want the children back so badly? They can always make more. Picard angrily responds they happen to like these particular children. Rashella tries to promise, that the children will have a beautiful life here. They will be parents to a new breed of Aldeans born of an ancient culture.

Angered, Beverly asks what makes them so sure the children will be able to breed since they cannot. Radue assures their inability to bear children is a genetic dysfunction, and not contagious. Picard tries to reason some other solution to their problems, but Radue considers the problem solved. Return of the children is not longer an option.

After more pressuring, Radue allows Beverly to see Wesley. When she sees him, she secretly hands Wesley the scanner wand from her tricorder. The boy sneaks a scan of Duana without her knowledge and returns the device to his mother as she leaves the room. Radue sends Picard and Beverly back to the ship, and provides a "small" demonstration of their power if they do not accept his deal. He fires an energy beam which sends the Enterprise spiraling away from the planet. They find themselves pushed three days from Aldea at maximum warp. Radue coldly warns that if they do not accept the trade, he will push them so far from Aldea, that by the time they get back, their children will be grandparents.

The Enterprise races back as fast as the ship can go. It gives Picard plenty of time to consider a direct assault against the Aldeans is not wise. Meanwhile, young Katie is with Melian who shows her an amazing musical synthesizer that produces music directly from her mind. Her performance is good, but very sad. Melian suggests something happier, but she claims that is how she feels. Elsewhere, Harry shows his new parents his latest sculpture; a dolphin. They have never seen the like, but explain that they once had fish in their oceans. Harry says he used to play with dolphins on Zadar IV. His father used to raise them, but the memory makes him feel sad. Rashella is somewhere else, dealing with a squawking Alexandra. The child cries for her mommy, and Rashella is frustrated that she can offer her no solace.

Days later, the Enterprise returns. Radue welcomes them back, hoping they are now ready to negotiate. With the medical information that Beverly secretly gathered, she indicates to Picard the Aldeans are suffering chromosomal damage. It could be genetic, but more likely environmental. It may explain why they are so pallor and unable to conceive. Picard asks if it is reversible, but she will not know until she finds the cause.

On the planet, Wesley enters Katie's room to wake the sleeping child. He whispers that he has an idea for getting home, and needs her help. With all the children around him, Wesley explains his plan of passive resistance. He says if they refuse to do what the Aldean's want, they will no longer want to keep them. Rashella enters and wonders why the children are together. They remain silent. She tries to take Alexandra but the girl refuses to cooperate.

Back on the Enterprise, Picard meets with his staff. Beverly has found that the cause of the Aldean's condition is solar radiation poisoning. It is terminal, but reversible if they act now. Riker and Picard go over the idea of beaming the children up through a hole when it appears, but it is too risky since the fluctuations are too random.

Back on Aldea, the children have started a hunger strike, their way of telling the Aldeans they want to go home. Picard calls Radue and indicates he and Dr. Crusher are ready to negotiate. At the moment the two are beamed away, a security team makes the risky transport through an opening in the shield. Picard and Beverly arrive in Radue's office, while Riker, and Data materialize in an empty corridor. Radue tells Picard, before they begin, he must talk with the children, explaining they have gone "on strike". Picard enters a teleport arch and appears before the kids. They are delighted to see their Captain.

Data locates the Custodian room. He finds the pedestal and learns it operates by voice command. Although he cannot override it, he can disable it so it cannot accept further commands. Picard returns with the children, where Radue asks what the problem is. Picard states they want to go home, but Radue says that is out of the question. Beverly tries to explain the shield they use has weakened their ozone layer. The planet is being flooded by ultraviolet radiation from their star. They must discontinue use of their shield or they will all die, including the children.

Radue claims their scientists would have known this, but Picard says the scientists have forgotten how anything works. Radue refuses to listen, accusing them of protecting their own interests with lies, but Rashella wants to hear them out. Picard informs them that their computer has controlled their lives so completely they lost the desire to even question it. Radue has heard enough and activates his armband to send them back. To his shock, nothing happens.

Picard calls Riker, who acknowledges the disabling of the computer. Picard is satisfied and readies to have the children beamed back aboard the ship, but Harry tells him to wait. Picard watches the boy approach Accolan to thank him for showing the boy his gift for sculpting. Accolan gives the boy his dolphin, but Harry tells him to keep it as a memento. The children beam to the ship.

Radue curses Picard for destroying their future, but Picard assures they are doing the opposite. By deactivating the shield, their environment will replenish itself. He has something to show the Aldeans, and takes them to the sealed room where a massive power core resides. Picard explains it is the source of their power and their problems. They must learn it all over again if they wish to survive. The Federation will help anyway they can. Radue sees their mistakes and welcomes any assistance. He understands their technological vulnerability, and for the healing to work, they must never use their planetary shield or cloak again. The legend will die, but the people will live.

Returning to the ship, Picard finds little Alexandra on the bridge with Wesley. Wesley apologizes for having the child here, but the little girl wanted to give her Captain a hug for returning her to her mother. It is clear Picard is nervous about children and is unsure how to handle them. The girl leaves and Picard orders Geordi to maneuver from orbit. The bridge crew get a laugh since the Captain is unaware Alexandra's clingy toy is stuck to his back.

[edit] Bloopers

At the beginning of the episode, after Riker's collision with the child, Riker enters a turbolift. In the lower right corner of the doorway, you can see part of a studio light stand inside the lift.