View source for When the Bough Breaks (Episode)

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{{ImageInfoBox2|name=When the Bough Breaks|file=tng118.jpg|caption="When the Bough Breaks" ([[Star Trek: The Next Generation|TNG]]&nbsp;118)}}
{{TableRow|title=Series|data=''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''}}
{{TableRow|title=Season|data=1}}
{{TableRow|title=Episode|data=17}}
{{TableRow|title=Production Number|data=118}}
{{TableRow|title=Release Date|data=[[1988 (Production)#FEB15|15 Feb 1988]]}}
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'''[[Stardate]] [[2364#SD41509|41509.1]]: Several children from the ''Enterprise,'' including Wesley Crusher, are kidnapped.'''

The [[U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D|''Enterprise'']] stumbles upon the planet [[Aldea]], a world completely hidden from outsiders by a powerful [[cloaking device|cloaking shield]]. But the find is no accident: the seemingly friendly [[Aldeans]] kidnap seven children, including [[Crusher, Wesley|Wesley Crusher]], from the ship in order to perpetuate their race. Parents begin to panic as every attempt to negotiate fails. The Aldeans, convinced they are permanently sterile, stubbornly offer only to trade for the children. As a show of force, their defense system knocks the ''Enterprise'' three [[days]]' distance with a single blow.

But Wesley finds holes in the Aldeans' technology: their age-old [[Custodian]] computer shows wear and tear, and no one knows how to maintain it. When Wesley organizes a hunger strike, [[Picard, Jean-Luc|Picard]] and [[doctor|Dr.]] [[Crusher, Beverly|Crusher]] are asked to come to the planet to help. A secret scan by Dr. Crusher shows the race is dying from [[radiation]] poisoning due to an [[ozone]] leak caused by their shield. [[Riker, William|Riker]] and [[Data]] use the opportunity to secretly beam into the Custodian's chamber, and, backed with control of the cloaking shield, the ''Enterprise'' crew is finally able to convince the Aldeans to listen, and explain the true nature of their problem. Picard pledges [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] aid to help them regain their ecology and their health.

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'''Director'''<br/>
[[Manners, Kim|Kim Manners]]

'''Writer'''<br/>
[[Shearer, Hannah Louise|Hannah Louise Shearer]]

'''Starring'''<br/>
[[Stewart, Patrick|Patrick Stewart]] &hellip; [[Starfleet Captain|Captain]] [[Picard, Jean-Luc|Jean-Luc Picard]]<br/>
[[Frakes, Jonathan|Jonathan Frakes]] &hellip; [[Starfleet Commander|Commander]] [[Riker, William|Will Riker]]<br/>
[[Spiner, Brent|Brent Spiner]] &hellip; [[Starfleet Lieutenant Commander|Lieutenant Commander]] [[Data]]<br/>
[[McFadden, Gates|Gates McFadden]] &hellip; [[doctor|Dr.]] [[Crusher, Beverly]]<br/>
[[Sirtis, Marina|Marina Sirtis]] &hellip; [[Counselor]] [[Troi, Deanna|Deanna Troi]]<br/>
[[Crosby, Denise|Denise Crosby]] &hellip; [[Starfleet Lieutenant|Lieutenant]] [[Yar, Natasha|Tasha Yar]]<br/>
[[Burton, LeVar|LeVar Burton]] &hellip; [[Starfleet Lieutenant, junior grade|Lieutenant, j.g.]] [[La Forge, Geordi|Geordi La Forge]]<br/>
[[Dorn, Michael|Michael Dorn]] &hellip; [[Starfleet Lieutenant, junior grade|Lieutenant, j.g.]] [[Worf]]<br/>
[[Wheaton, Wil|Wil Wheaton]] &hellip; [[Starfleet Ensign|Acting Ensign]] [[Crusher, Wesley|Wesley Crusher]]

'''Guest Starring'''<br/>
[[Hardin, Jerry|Jerry Hardin]] &hellip; [[Radue]]<br/>
[[Strong, Brenda|Brenda Strong]] &hellip; [[Rashella]]<br/>
[[Swanson, Jandi|Jandi Swanson]] &hellip; [[Katie]]<br/>
[[Lambert, Paul|Paul Lambert]] &hellip; [[Melian]]<br/>
[[Bethune, Ivy|Ivy Bethune]] &hellip; [[Duana]]<br/>
[[Torsek, Dierk|Dierk Torsek]] &hellip; [[doctor|Dr.]] [[Bernard]]<br/>
[[Marsh, Michele|Michele Marsh]] &hellip; [[Leda]]<br/>
[[Mason, Dan|Dan Mason]] &hellip; [[Accolan]]<br/>
[[Waller, Philip N.|Philip N. Waller]] &hellip; [[Bernard, Harry|Harry Bernard]]<br/>
[[Danese, Connie|Connie Danese]] &hellip; [[Taya]]<br/>
[[Bova, Jessica|Jessica]] &amp; [[Bova, Vanessa|Vanessa Bova]] &hellip; [[Alexandra]]<br/>

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