Loud as a Whisper
- Episode aired Jan 7, 1989
- TV-PG
- 45m
The crew ferries a deaf mediator to Solais V to negotiate an end to a civil war.The crew ferries a deaf mediator to Solais V to negotiate an end to a civil war.The crew ferries a deaf mediator to Solais V to negotiate an end to a civil war.
- Scholar
- (as Thomas Oglesby)
- …
- Lieutenant
- (as John Garrett)
- Crewman Martinez
- (uncredited)
- Lt. Baji
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaGuest star Howie Seago, who plays Riva, is deaf and had in fact petitioned the producers to create an episode involving deaf people.
- GoofsAfter 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. However, it is a common and automatic response to make similar expressions of body language (such as nodding or shaking the head) when talking to blind people. When dealing with someone whose perceptions are as heightened as la Forge's, it even more understandable.
- Quotes
Riva: [after Riva's Chorus were slain and they beamed back, Riva is ranting in sign language] Stupid false egoistical...
[rambles on with back turned to camera]
Riva: ... tired of everything... three dead! What will we do now?
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How did this happen?
Commander William T. Riker: A total surprise. Apparently a member of one of the factions didn't like the idea of peace.
Riva: ...any time think
[Rubs hands through hair in frustration]
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I don't understand what you're trying to say.
[Pleading gesture to Troi]
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Counselor.
Riva: I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to myself!
Counselor Deanna Troi: Riva, go slowly.
Riva: What!
Counselor Deanna Troi: Slowly.
Riva: I'm not talking to him anyway.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Can you write it out?
Riva: No! Leave me alone!
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I am so sorry that your friends were killed.
Riva: I don't need your pity!
Riva: [Riva and Picard are talking simultaneously] ... tired of all of you hearing people not understanding me! I'm not talking to you anyway.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sorry, I-I don't know what you are trying to tell me. We have to find some way to communicate with him.
Riva: I'm tired of you hearing people, arg!
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, he knows some kind of gestural language. Find out which one and learn it.
Lt. Commander Data: Aye, sir.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Counselor, take him to Sick Bay. Maybe Pulaski can help.
Riva: I - my friends are dead! I-
[Picard grabs Riva's head]
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Listen to me! You are not alone! Do you understand? We are all in this together... now.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Shades of Gray (1989)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
This is an okay episode with a good focus on self confidence and overcoming disability. It contains some classic liberal Star Trek philosophy but it is presented in a fairly non cinematic way.
To enjoy 'Loud As A Whisper' you need to be invested for the guest character of Riva who carries the main arc, along with Deanna Troi and have an appreciation for the use of communication to resolve conflict. His first impression is to flirt in a relatively creepy way with Deanna and for me I never really get over that distraction from the higher purpose of the story which shows him overcome his disability and confidence issues to make a huge contribution to the story. You also need to buy into his legendary mediation skills, which to be honest does not go hand in hand with his personality. I think if he turned up to resolve conflict in the Middle East or Northern Ireland his arrogance alone could fuel conflict. In fact throughout it all I kept thinking they should just let Picard do it.
All that being said, the main theme around Riva achieving success in the face of deafness, in a role that relies so much on communicating, is a good one. The scenes where Enterprise crew members such as Picard, Data and in particular Deanna help him find the confidence to make such a valuable contribution are good.
Visuals are a mixed bag with some ropey makeup jobs and costuming.
Performances from all cast are solid.
- snoozejonc
- May 30, 2021
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1