Star Trek The Next Generation
S1E18
· When the Bough Breaks

Harry’s Dolphin and Aldean Longing for Lost Oceans

In the Aldean Artists' Unit at night, Leda confirms the healing progress of her medicine on Harry, signaling tentative physical recovery amidst the planet’s bleak conditions. Accolan draws attention to Harry’s latest sculpture—a delicately carved dolphin—which unexpectedly sparks a poignant dialogue. Harry’s simple explanation of the dolphin’s nature evokes Leda’s wistful reminiscence of Earth’s oceans, a vanished natural wonder to the Aldeans. Harry’s brief admission of his origins near Earth’s ocean and his father’s role as an oceanographer introduces a subtle but powerful emotional rupture: his distance from Aldea’s isolated, dying world and his latent connection to a richer natural past. This quiet exchange layers personal conflict over the broader theme of loss and displacement, deepening Harry’s character complexity and underscoring Aldea’s cultural desolation.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

Leda confirms the medicine's success as Accolan inquires about her health, setting a tone of cautious recovery and normalcy among the Aldeans.

concern to relief ["Artists' Unit, Aldea"]

Accolan admires Harry's finished carved dolphin, revealing artistic talent and a moment of pride that contrasts with the Aldeans' fragile state.

curiosity to admiration ["Artists' Unit, Aldea"]

Harry explains the dolphin's identity and connection to Earth's oceans, sparking Leda's nostalgic recognition and hinting at lost natural wonders.

education to wistfulness ["Artists' Unit, Aldea"]

Harry reveals his origin near Earth's ocean and his father's occupation, then withdraws, exposing his inner conflict and the emotional distance from his past.

nostalgia to ambivalence ["Artists' Unit, Aldea"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
Harry Bernard
primary

Proud of his artistic achievement but conflicted and distant due to his forced displacement and uncertain future.

Harry finishes polishing his carved dolphin sculpture, presenting it with surprise and pride. He explains the dolphin’s nature in simple, earnest terms, revealing a personal connection to Earth’s oceans and his father’s profession, then turns away with ambivalence, signaling his internal conflict.

Goals in this moment
  • • To express himself creatively through sculpture
  • • To share a fragment of his personal history
  • • To test the waters of emotional openness with his mentors
  • • To reconcile his identity between Earth and Aldea
Active beliefs
  • • His origins on Earth are distant but significant
  • • His art can communicate what words cannot
  • • His connection to his father and past is important yet painful
  • • Aldea is alien and isolating compared to his home
Character traits
proud ambivalent vulnerable reserved
Follow Harry Bernard's journey
Accolan
primary

Encouraged by Harry’s progress and artistic talent, feeling optimistic about his development despite the bleak environment.

Accolan closely monitors Harry’s healing, affirming the ointment’s efficacy. He attentively invites Leda to admire Harry’s sculpture, praising its grace and vitality, encouraging Harry’s artistic growth and emotional expression.

Goals in this moment
  • • To validate Harry’s artistic talents and progress
  • • To maintain morale and hope in the Artists’ Unit
  • • To foster emotional healing through creative expression
  • • To support Leda and Harry in their mutual nurturing roles
Active beliefs
  • • Art is a vital tool for coping and survival
  • • Healing is both physical and emotional
  • • Harry has immense latent potential
  • • Encouragement will facilitate Harry’s acceptance of Aldean culture
Character traits
encouraging appreciative supportive observant
Follow Accolan's journey
Leda
primary

Hopeful yet tinged with melancholy as she contemplates the vanished natural world and Harry’s progress.

Leda gently creams her hands with the healing ointment, confirming the medicine's effectiveness on Harry’s skin lesions. She engages tenderly in the conversation about the dolphin sculpture, expressing wistful nostalgia about oceans she has never personally seen.

Goals in this moment
  • • To ensure Harry’s physical healing continues successfully
  • • To emotionally support Harry through gentle conversation
  • • To connect with Harry by sharing cultural memory
  • • To maintain a nurturing environment within the Artists’ Unit
Active beliefs
  • • The medicine can aid Harry’s fragile recovery
  • • Art and memory can provide solace amidst loss
  • • Harry’s well-being is crucial to his eventual survival
  • • Connection to nature and past is important even on Aldea
Character traits
nurturing hopeful wistful patient
Follow Leda's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Harry's Wood Dolphin Carving

Harry’s carved dolphin sculpture serves as the centerpiece for the event, embodying his artistic expression and personal story. It initiates a meaningful dialogue about lost natural wonders and Harry’s distant connection to Earth’s oceanic heritage, symbolizing hope, memory, and displacement.

Before: Near completion, in Harry’s hands.
After: Completed and held by Accolan, admired and discussed.
Before: Near completion, in Harry’s hands.
After: Completed and held by Accolan, admired and discussed.
Healing Ointment

The healing ointment is applied by Leda to her hands as a preparatory gesture before tending to Harry’s skin lesions. It symbolizes the fragile hope for physical recovery amid Aldea’s harsh conditions and represents a tactile connection to care and healing.

Before: In Leda’s possession, prepared for application.
After: Having been used to demonstrate progress, remains with …
Before: In Leda’s possession, prepared for application.
After: Having been used to demonstrate progress, remains with Leda for continued treatment.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph

Key Dialogue

"ACCOLAN: Have the lesions gone?"
"LEDA: Yes. The medicine worked again."
"HARRY: It's a dolphin."
"LEDA: Dolphin?"
"HARRY: You know, it swims in the ocean. Like a fish, only it's not a fish."
"LEDA: Ah. A fish. We used to have them in our oceans. I've never seen one before."
"HARRY: I used to live near the ocean. On Zadar IV. My dad's an oceanographer. He says... never mind. It doesn't matter."