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TNG episode #31: Loud as a Whisper

 
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Bogmeister
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 1:16 pm    Post subject: TNG episode #31: Loud as a Whisper Reply with quote

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LOUD AS A WHISPER episode #5, season #2 / Air Date: 1/9/89
written by Jacqueline Zambrano; Directed by Larry Shaw

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This features an intriguing concept: a famous mediator, Riva (played by deaf Howie Seago), is always accompanied by his 'chorus' — a trio which do all his speaking, since Riva is a deaf mute.

Through the centuries, this culture has evolved this symbiotic relationship, another depiction of heightened empathy (like Troi). Each member of the chorus represents several basic facets of Riva — one is the "intellectual", the other the "passionate warrior", the female is "harmony" and binds it all together; each can project Riva's feelings as well as the words.

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Riva's latest task is to mediate a peace between two warring factions on a planet where the fighting has been going on for quite some time. As Riker puts it, they probably are running out of people to kill — that's the only reason they are willing to let Riva negotiate.

But, as we might expect, things will not go smoothly after the beam down. This episode presents a slightly more grisly depiction of death by phaser-like weapons. Rather than seeing persons evaporate, we see their skeletal structures briefly, as if the weapons are slightly less potent than the standard phaser.

As I said, it's all intriguing, but the execution is dull. There is a lot of talking in this one (expected) and except when Picard grabs Riva at one point to yell something at him (Hey, Picard, he's deaf! Yelling won't help!), everyone is quite subdued, almost sleepwalking through their roles.

Riva comes across as unlikable from the get-go, even if he doesn't talk, so that's not good. The deaths are sudden and somewhat shocking — but that's 2 seconds worth.

And I wasn't sure what to make of the ending, when everyone just assumes that Riva's plan will work out splendidly.

BoG's Score: 5 out of 10



BoG
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Pow
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Loud As A Whisper,"January 09,1989 Trivia }

Deaf actor Howie Seago who plays the lead guest star met with the producers to suggest doing an episode on deafness.
He hoped it would also clear up what he felt were dangerous myths regarding deaf people.

The first draft of the script had his character learning to speak overnight. Howie suggested they change that to having his character teach the warring aliens sign language.

Howie was surprised that his alternative was enthusiastically embraced by the producers. Subsequent mail from deaf & hearing viewers were positive about the story.

Levar Burton wanted to have Geordi's sight be restored because he wanted to be able to use his eyes to express his emotions. This would not occur until the feature films.

Marnie Mosimon who plays the female member of the chorus is married to John de Lancie who plays the omnipotent Q.

I liked this episode. Even if it was more talky than action oriented it was still gripping & intriguing to me.

Interesting that viewers can complain that an episode (of any TV show) can be too talky. However, rarely do you hear that an episode had too many visuals or action & stunts.

While some episodes of TV shows can be talky & dull, I've seen my share of mindless action scenes that just seem cliched or repetitive.

It seems as if the producers dare not have action for the audiences because they'll grow bored and lose interest in the drama.

If the script is strong it should hold any thinking person's attention.
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 1:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pow wrote:
Interesting that viewers can complain that an episode (of any TV show) can be too talky. However, rarely do you hear that an episode had too many visuals or action & stunts.

If the script is strong it should hold any thinking person's attention.

Damn right!

If a good story has interesting, well written dialog, I'm much more engaged and entertained than I am if I'm just watching shoot-outs, car chases, explosions, and colossal FX that show towering tidal waves or toppling buildings!
Very Happy
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Pow
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bud, one of my favorite films is "The Bedford Incident."

I would classify that as a movie where the action takes a backseat to the terrific script that spotlights the characters, their clashes and the mounting tension as the USN Bedford stalks a USSR submarine.

It is an excellent & frightening script that is riveting as we watch the fine actors deliver the dialogue keeping the viewers engrossed.

There are superb stage plays where the writing, dialogue, and characters keep us in rapt attention without the benefit of wild car chases, explosions, stunts, or visual effects.

Film and television can achieve the same thing within their mediums. However, there seems to be a mindset in those mediums that you don't dare rely on any script that doesn't offer action, FX, and so forth.

Maybe they don't have the confidence in letting powerful words and performances under excellent direction tell an interesting story.

Perhaps they think entertaining is playing down to the audience? That viewers have the attention span of a gnat?

Certainly action & excitement are fun and can propel a story along. It can be vital to the story. And like everyone else, I enjoy action, stunts, and visuals that are well done.

But I don't require a steady diet of those elements all the time & every time.

A shame that producers don't have the confidence when a great writer creates a fantastic script, where the action is minimal but the story is superb.
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Pow, your comments are magnificent. I couldn't agree more.

To demonstrate my feelings on the matter, I watch the movies on TCM much more often the sci-fi movies from Netflix or the DVDs in my library. And I usually choose the ones from the 1930s and 1940s. I love the mysteries, the World War II stories about the struggles against the Nazis, and the dramas involving reporters fighting organized crime.

These movies often offer us great FX that use large table-top models of expansive landscapes, complete with grassy fields, tree-lined roads, and numerous buildings — while a suspended camera flies along above it and follows miniature vehicles being controlled God-knows-how, causing the entire panorama to appear remarkably realistic! Shocked

And we've all scene the aerial FX of bombers and fighters, battling it out in the skies! Amazing!

My point is that even when these classics do offer the slam-bang action which thrilled the audience, it had to be connected closely to the characters, the drama, and the story . . . just as you stated.

The movies back during that era never just gave us cinematic eye candy . . . they fed our brains with concepts, characters, and dramas which stayed with us long after the flashy special effects had faded from our memories.

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)


Last edited by Bud Brewster on Thu Oct 07, 2021 12:13 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Pow
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2020 12:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Riva was originally forced to use sign language when he mediated a conflict in the Plaeties system. The aliens there were extremely paranoid and Riva was not permitted to bring his Chorus along with him.

Members of Riva's family do not read or write.

Both of these plot points were not in the final cut of this episode.

The holographic depiction of the Lima Sierra system in Picard's ready room was one of the very rare times we see him utilize the holo-interface.

Wil Wheaton met William Shatner during the filming of this episode and said that WS was unkind.


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johnnybear
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 29, 2020 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did he say something unpleasant about the new television series or Wheaton himself? I know Shat was not happy with the idea of a new show based upon Star Trek!
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Pow
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As best as I can recall, WS was very dismissive and uninterested in meeting Wil. He mocked his costume that he wore for the ST:TNG.

Gene Roddenberry happened to see how upset Wil was that day and asked him what happened? Wil told Gene.

Later on, Wil received a letter from WS apologizing about how he had acted. Wil was positive that Gene got in touch with Shatner and that's how the letter came about.
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johnnybear
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, you would have thought that the Shat would have had more interest in not upsetting a teenager and being careful what he'd said, considering he was a father himself?
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 11:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some "Loud as a Whisper" Nitpicks from the Nitpickers Guide

The away team at the beginning of this episode displays an incredible lack of knowledge about Riva. Obviously no one handles Riva's itinerary, or that person would have related all the necessary information to the crew of the Enterprise ahead of time.

Such preparations would have reduced or eliminated the possibility of a simple protocol breach like the one Captain Picard causes when he speaks to Riva's interpreters and not Riva himself.

But even if Riva doesn't have an advance man, why didn't Worf prepare for his arrival? Surely that would involve a review of Riva's file for any special requirements, and a routine security check.

If Riva negotiated several important peace treaties between the Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire as stated, wouldn't his file be quite large and detailed?

Yet the away team doesn't know what he looks like or even that he is deaf when they first arrive.

Note from me: Another case of the writer sacrificing logic in order to have melodramatic scenes. The bane of many a science fiction television series to this day.

Why does Data interpret for Picard in the first place? Doesn't Riva read lips?

Note from me: Again, logic being sacrificed. In this case it allows Brent Spiner's popular Data be involved in scenes where he shouldn't be required. If a studio is paying an actor a weekly salary, then they want 'em on screen as much as possible even if their character isn't really necessary to the story or scene.

Production Goof. When Riker, Worf, Riva and his chorus beam down to the planet Solari V, the visual effects team forgot to put the sparklies for the transporter effect on Worf.
The other five individuals show the usual transporter shimmering effect, but Worf just fades in.

Note from me: I remember really liking this episode with its theme of turning a disadvantage into an advantage. And it is good to see a deaf actor not only get work, but the script giving the hearing people some awareness & insights into what it is like to be deaf.

I recall being very impressed with the scene in Picard's Ready Room on this episode where he has a holographic representation of a star systems orbit above his desk.
Very cool!

Of course nowadays they can deluge us with such visual effects in the single episode of a TV show. But seeing this episode do this back in January of 1989 when it first aired was doggone awesome.
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 1:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pow wrote:
Some "Loud as a Whisper" Nitpicks from the Nitpickers Guide

The away team at the beginning of this episode displays an incredible lack of knowledge about Riva. Obviously no one handles Riva's itinerary, or that person would have related all the necessary information to the crew of the Enterprise ahead of time.

Absolutely right, sir! Very Happy

We know that the writers want to relate interesting info to the audience in ways other than briefing room lectures, but when a scene makes the main characters look dumb or ill-prepared, the "show rather than tell" method has a down side.
Sad
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