When the Bough Breaks (TNG episode)
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"When the Bough Breaks" is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast February 15, 1988. It is episode #16, production #118, teleplay written by Hannah Louise Shearer, and directed by Kim Manners.
Quick Overview: A dying race kidnaps children from the Enterprise.
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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, to come the bridge, who is briefed about the findings. He is fascinated that they may have found “Aldea”. Lt. Yar and Lt. Cmdr. La Forge have no idea what he's talking about. Riker fills them in stating Aldea is a mythical place, similar to the legendary Atlantis on Earth, and Neinman on Xerxes VII. They are an advanced culture, centuries old, who devoted themselves to culture and art beyond value. The Aldeans are rumored to be able to cloak their planet, hiding themselves from potential marauders.
Sensors show nothing, however Counselor Troi begins to sense thousands of minds, somewhere very close and Lt. Worf detects an anomaly near the ship. Just then, a bright orange planet appears from nowhere. Everyone is awe-struck. Riker says it's Aldea... it has to be! Data detects a sophisticated light refracting shield around the planet; a kind of cloaking device. Picard tells Tasha to send a friendly greeting, but before she can, a woman's image appears on the screen. She identifies herself as Rashella, and bids welcome to Aldea. They have much to discuss and look forward to meeting with them. Instantly, two Aldeans transport to the Enterprise bridge. Rashella has appears along with Radue. They bring fruits and flowers as gifts. 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, whenever they are ready. 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. They left a trail of bread crumbs, and feels they wanted to be found. Deanna also senses they want something from them.
Riker, Troi and Dr. Crusher teleport down. It seems they have been specifically selected for the meeting. They find themselves in a beautifully dressed room, with an archway along one wall that appears to be a teleporting doorway. Rashella, Radue, and an older woman, Duana, appear. Crusher doesn't know anything about Aldean physiology. They look human, but from their outward appearance, she would believe they are not in the best of health. Back on the bridge, Wesley Crusher shows interest in the Aldean cloaking device. Data suggests it's similar to Romulan technology, however to cloak an entire planet would require an immense power source. Suddenly, an energy beam shoots forth from Aldea. It passes through the hull, seemingly scanning everyone on the bridge, finally focusing on Wesley. Picard orders shields, but they fail to activate. The beam disappears and Wesley relaxes. Picard asks if he is alright. He says he felt scared, but it didn't hurt him. Data reports scans on all decks, stopping on the children only. Picard is confused. Only the children, Why?
Down on the planet, Radue explains details 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 help. They need a new generation of younger, healthier people to preserve their ways. Riker doesn't 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. He suggests helping in some other way.
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 Jason, 5 year old Alexandra, and 12 year old Katie. Riker replies; “It's the children. That's why we've been brought here. That's what they wanted.” There is an uncomfortable silence from the planet afterward. With no way to penetrate the Aldean shield, there is no way to rescue the children. All they can do is wait. Picard has Troi gather the children's parents, they'll want to know what is going on. Just then, Radue calls, explaining they have the children and assures no harm will come to them. Picard is furious, stating they have already caused them harm. They have been 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 find themselves in another large room. They huddle near Wesley, hoping he will keep them safe. They press him for answers, but he has none. Little Alexandra however, begins to explore the room. She is too young to be aware of any potential danger. Rashella, Radue, and Duana appear from the teleport archway. They tell the children they are “guests” and they can have anything they want. Just ask. Wesley asks to go home, but Radue smiles. He states the “Custodian” said he would be the leader. The Custodian is a computer that runs their technology. 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. The group is more than a little hostile, especially Alexandra's mother Toya, who tearfully demands to know what they are going to do about this. Beverly tells her to calm down stating they all knew the risks of space exploration when they signed on. Rest assured, the Captain will do everything in his power to get them back. Harry's father, Dr. Bernard, asks why these specific children were taken, but Picard doesn't know. He says the Aldean's wish to discuss compensation which will buy them some time. Dr. Bernard sadly states, the last time he say Harry, he yelled at him. Picard feels his pain, and promises the Enterprise will not leave the children behind. Picard returns to the bridge where Data has been analysing the Aldean shield. He may have found a flaw. He points out a weakening of the shield in certain spots, however the fluctuation is sporadic, lasting only seconds. Picard is amazed to find holes in their defense system, wondering if the Aldeans are even aware of it. It may be possible to beam an away team through a hole, but it would have to be timed perfectly. They may be more successful at figuring out how the Aldean's transport through the field. No matter what, they must try and get a landing party down there, locate the shield generator and disable it.
Back on the planet, the children wait impatiently. Rashella has taken little Alexandra somewhere. Meanwhile 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, where 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 not to be afraid, they are artists, just like him. Harry is confused, saying he's not an artist. Leda says “you will be.” The musician Melian, an elderly man, takes custody of Katie. Melian is honored to mentor her, stating music is a language all it's own. They have much to learn from each other. 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's duty now to make the transition as easy for them as possible. Like the Aldeans, he doesn't 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 can't 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 security access and explains the computer frees them from all burden. It provides for their needs and regulates their lives. She indicates The Progenitors but it, centuries ago. Wesley asks questions about the machine's power source, but she cannot give answers. They have never thought about such things. This is curious, since Wesley wonders how the system is maintained. Every computer, no matter how old it is, has to require some kind of maintenance. Duana says the Custodian can answer his 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 intregued, already displaying a knack for it. Duana says the boy will be a sculptor. He wasn't 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. Rashella gives her a loving hug. Wesley asks what is behind the huge door, is it the power source? Duana doesn't know, stating it's off limits, and no one has access to it any longer.
Meanwhile, Picard and Beverly meet with the Aldeans. Picard demands to see the children before they talk, but Radue refuses. 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. Beverly asks what makes her so sure the children will be able to breed? They can't. 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. She is taken to him, and the boy ecstatically hugs his mother. He assures her everything is well. He explains about the Custodian, how it controls everything, and explains how the Aldeans don't know how it works. Rashella overhears their whispering and suggests Beverly leave now. Radue sends Picard and Beverly back to the ship, and provides a “small” demonstration of their power if they don't accept his deal. He fires an energy beam which sends the ship spiraling away from the planet. They find themselves pushed three days from Aldea at maximum warp. Radue coldly warns that if they don't except the trade, he'll push the Enterprise 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 Aldean's isn't wise. They could destroy the ship if they wanted.
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's how she feels. Elsewhere, Harry shows his new parents his latest sculpture; a dolphin. They have never seen the like, but explain they once had fish in their oceans. Harry explains 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.
The Enterprise finally returns, and Radue welcomes them back, hoping they are now ready to negotiate. Beverly 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's reversible, but she won't know until she finds the cause. On the planet, Wesley enters the Custodian's chamber. He fiddles with his security clearance, trying to see what is behind the sealed door, but he doesn't have the proper access. In the meantime he 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'll 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's 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's 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. Radue calls for Picard who 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. Wesley immediately explains about the Custodian, perhaps they can use it to get out of here.
Data locates the Custodian room. He finds the pedestal and states it operates by voice command. Although he can't 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's 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 die, including the children, since they are just as vulnerable. Radue claims it impossible. Their scientists would have known, but Picard exclaims their scientists have forgotten how anything works. Radue refuses to listen, thinking they are just protecting their own interest with lies, but Rashella wants to hear them out. Picard informs them that they're 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. He can always make another. The children beam to the ship. Radue curses Picard for destroying them. Picard assures they are doing the opposite. By deactivating the shield, they're 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 finally agrees, and welcomes their 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 she wanted to give her Captain a gift for returning her to her mommy. She offers Picard a big hug. It is clear Picard is nervous about children, 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.