Loud as a Whisper (7 Jan. 1989)

The crew ferries a deaf mediator to Solais V to negotiate an end to a civil war.

Director:

Larry Shaw

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator), Jacqueline Zambrano

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Stewart	...	Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Commander William T. Riker
LeVar Burton	...	Lieutenant Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn	...	Lieutenant Worf
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Commander Data
Wil Wheaton	...	Wesley Crusher
Diana Muldaur	...	Doctor Pulaski
Marnie Mosiman	...	Harmony / Balance
Randy Oglesby	...	Scholar / Artist (as Thomas Oglesby)
Leo Damian	...	Warrior / Adonis
Howie Seago	...	Riva
Colm Meaney	...	Chief Miles O'Brien
Richard Lavin	...	Warrior #1
Chip Heller	...	Warrior #2

Storyline

The crew ferries a deaf mediator to Solais V to negotiate an end to a civil war.

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Plot Keywords:

24th century

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

7 January 1989 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Guest star Howie Seago, who plays Riva, is deaf in real life and had in fact petitioned the producers to create an episode involving deaf people.

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Goofs

After giving Geordi, who is blind without his visor, an eye exam, Geordi asks Dr. Pulaski if she is done. She nods silently before he puts his visor on.

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Quotes

[Riva is being briefed on the conflict on Solais V]
Scholar: [interpreting for Riva] There is no need to continue. The specific issues of the conflict have no relevance.
Commander William T. Riker: So, none of the background which we have provided would be helpful in understanding why they continue to fight?
Scholar: [interpreting] The portfolio will indicate that the conflict is over a piece of land or wealth or some other tangible asset. But we both know that is not the case.
Commander William T. Riker: [understanding] They have been at war for so long, it has become ...
[...]

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Connections

Edited into Star Trek: The Next Generation: Shades of Gray (1989)

User Reviews

Loud as a Whisper

"Loud as a Whisper" comments on disability and how one comes to terms with the loss of one sense, turning a disadvantage into an advantage. Loss seems to be a major emotion that speaks dramatically and thematically in this episode about two factions of Solari people on a planet called Solais, both warring with each other for centuries, on the verge of extinction, reaching out, however reluctantly, to renowned, reputed peachmaker Riva (it is made known in a scene with Worf, in the transporter room when he feels certain unease, brought to light by Troi, that Riva was responsible for peace talks between the Federation and Klingon). Riva is deaf and has a "chorus" of individuals who work in concert as his thoughts, feelings, words to others and a tragedy involving one out-of-control Solari warrior shakes the confidant mediator's resolve and belief in his abilities to end war/conflict, placing an incredible strain on Capt Picard and his crew. The idea that one man, with help from a highly trained, and well in-tune, accompaniment, can end centuries of war is certainly fascinating, understanding his methods will be of focus in this episode as Deanna Troi (who Riva has become profoundly moved by) tries to change his mind when the senseless murder of his chorus may potentially halt Riva's desire to stop the possible slaughter of an entire world's populace. I love this final scene where a relieved Picard thanks Troi for her work with Riva; it is a moment where her importance to him is celebrated/applauded. A fascinating development involving Geordi's eyesight is also featured as Dr. Pulaski offers to perform surgery and perhaps give him the ability to see, although straight-forward that it is not for certain that it will work. I thought Howie Seago was extraordinary as the deaf, mute Riva and his scenes with Troi are the heart and soul of this episode's story. The death of Riva's chorus is shocking and horrifying, as it should be to drive home the point that it will not be easy to settle the ongoing, personal war between these people. I love how this episode incorporates the theme of deafness as it relates to the crew's difficulty with him once his entourage is killed. And Data's learning of the sign language also adds much to this wonderful episode. "Loud as a Whisper" is yet another nice discovery as I make my way through the early seasons of The Next Generation.