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"When the Bough Breaks" was the 18th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in the show's first season, first aired during the week of 15 February 1988. The episode was written by Hannah Louise ShearerMA and directed by Kim MannersMA.

Description[]

TNG Magazine
The Aldeans, a mythical race rumored to hide their entire planet behind an immense cloaking device, make their presence known to the crew of the Enterprise. Highly advanced technologically, the Aldeans wish to trade. It seems the price of their anonymity has been too high...

References[]

Characters[]

AccolanAlexandraBennettHarry BernardHarry Bernard, Sr.Beverly CrusherWesley CrusherDataDuanaDiana GiddingsKatieGeordi La ForgeLedaMasonMason's fatherMason's motherMelianJean-Luc PicardRadueRashellaWilliam T. RikerRoseTaraToyaDeanna TroiDarien WallaceWorf, son of MoghNatasha YarYoungblood
Referenced only
AranZena

Starships and vehicles[]

USS Enterprise-D (Galaxy-class)

Locations[]

AldeaAtlantisEarthEpsilon MynosXerxes VIIZadar IV

Races and cultures[]

AldeanAndroidBetazoidHumanKlingon
Referenced only
NeinmanRomulan

States and organizations[]

StarfleetUnited Federation of Planets

Other[]

14th century21st centurycalciumcalculuschromosomecloaking deviceCustodiandolphinFirst Appointeefishgamma raygravitymagnetic fieldmedical tricordermusicianneutrinonuclear radiationoceanographyozone layerplanetary defense systempotassiumradiation poisoningrepulsor beamshieldsolar fieldStarfleet Regulationsultraviolet radiationunit

Appendices[]

Related stories[]

The Buried Age

Before the USS Enterprise-D's discovery of Aldea in this episode, the existence of Aldea was believed to be a myth. While teaching archaeology at the University of Alpha Centauri in the 2350s, Jean-Luc Picard asked his students to name ancient civilizations, and one student jokingly referred to the Aldeans.

Timeline[]

published order
Previous episode:
Home Soil
TNG episode produced Next episode:
Coming of Age
Previous episode:
Too Short a Season
TNG episode aired Next episode:
Home Soil
chronological order
Previous Adventure:
Home Soil
Pocket Next Adventure:
Coming of Age

External links[]

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