Loud as a Whisper (Episode)
Series | Star Trek: The Next Generation |
Season | 2 |
Episode | 5 |
Production Number | 132
|
Previous | The Schizoid Man (TNG131) |
Next | Unnatural Selection (TNG133) |
Released | 9 Jan 1989 |
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Stardate 42477.2: A deaf mediator communicates through a Chorus.
To help settle a civil war, the Enterprise is sent to retrieve the great Ramatisian mediator Riva, whose résumé extends to negotiating early Federation-Klingon treaties. The crew is surprised to learn, however, that Riva and his ruling family were born deaf and use a three-member telepathic Chorus to communicate: the Woman, the Scholar, and the Warrior/Adonis. The latter informs Troi that Riva is taken with her. But an incident on Solais V wrecks the peace mission and Riva's self-confidence as well when a terrorist opens fire, killing the Chorus.
The loss sends Riva into a fit of grief and helplessness. Data learns to read his frantic signing, but Picard cannot draw Riva out. When the mediator even refuses Troi's attempts to help, she opts to try the mission herself. Plying Riva for negotiating hints, she inspires him to use his own main strategy: "turn a disadvantage into an advantage." Reinvigorated, Riva beams down alone, determined to start from scratch and teach both Solais factions his sign language, no matter how long it takes.
Director
Larry Shaw
Writer
Jacqueline Zambrano
Starring
Patrick Stewart … Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes … Commander Will Riker
Brent Spiner … Lieutenant Commander Data
Marina Sirtis … Counselor Deanna Troi
LeVar Burton … Lieutenant Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn … Lieutenant Worf
Wil Wheaton … Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher
Guest Starring
Diana Muldaur … Dr. Kate Pulaski
Howie Seago … Riva
Leo Damian … Warrior/Adonis
Marnie Mosiman … Woman
Thomas Oglesby … Scholar
Colm Meaney … O'Brien
Richard Lavin … Warrior #1
Chip Heller … Warrior #2
John Garrett … Lieutenant