Perhaps just another case of "TV works in mysterious ways." Long ago, there was a period of YEARS when, if I saw an episode of "Mr Magoo," it was ALWAYS "Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol."

The same thing has happened to me. I can't recall exactly with what show or which episode (maybe even TNG) but I know it's happened. So are you sure it's When The Bough Breaks? Because that's episode 16, episode 17 is Home Soil. I do remember thinking it would be nice if Rashella (played by the oh so lovely Brenda Strong) would kidnap me. Still get a laugh out of the doll head stuck in Picard's armpit scene.

Episode numbers depend somewhat on whether the 2-part premiere is counted as a single episode, or as two.

@Knixon said:

Episode numbers depend somewhat on whether the 2-part premiere is counted as a single episode, or as two.

Yes, that's true. I have to admit for a second I thought TC was going to be discussing the idea of a reboot of TNG, not an unseen/missed episode.

That's what I thought too. What the situation called for was "previously unseen." Or the like.

As far as I know there is no "unseen" footage for TNG otherwise they would have put them as extra's on the complete series dvd box.