Ceremonial Welcome and Flirtations

Riva, the deaf mediator, makes a commanding entrance with his Chorus, who function as his voice and emotional conduits. The Warrior/Adonis member of the Chorus directs flirtatious attention toward Counselor Troi, establishing an immediate connection. The Chorus explains their unique communication method, revealing that Riva is deaf and relies on their attunement to convey his thoughts and emotions. This moment intertwines diplomatic protocol with personal chemistry, showcasing Riva's ceremonial gravitas and hinting at the Chorus's roles beyond mere translation. The event sets the stage for the upcoming mission while deepening the audience's understanding of Riva's world and methods.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Riva takes the dais, his Chorus gathers and—though they never look at him—radiate a composed, ritualized presence that Troi identifies as a palpable feeling of well-being, signaling the strange harmony of their communication method.

curiosity to reassurance ['dais (ceremonial focal point)']

Riva's subtle hand movement prompts the Chorus to speak aloud, welcoming the away team; the Warrior/Adonis singles out Troi with an overtly flirtatious speech, producing an awkward, revealing interplay between public ritual and private attraction.

polite to flirtatious

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

6

Harmonious and disciplined, with individual members expressing their designated facets of Riva's personality.

The Chorus collectively conveys Riva's words and emotions, each member embodying a different facet of his personality. The Warrior/Adonis flirts with Troi, the Scholar/Artist explains intellectual matters, and the Cultured Woman offers hospitality.

Goals in this moment
  • Accurately convey Riva's words and emotional intent
  • Represent the different facets of Riva's personality as needed
Active beliefs
  • Their attunement to Riva is a centuries-old tradition that ensures effective communication
  • Each member has a distinct role that contributes to the whole
Character traits
Harmonious Specialized Disciplined Expressive
Follow Chorus's journey

Welcoming and poised, focused on facilitating understanding and comfort for the away team.

The Cultured Woman invites the away team closer and offers hospitality, explaining the Chorus's communication method with refined manners and grace.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the away team feels welcome and understood
  • Explain the Chorus's communication method clearly and respectfully
Active beliefs
  • Hospitality and clarity are essential in diplomatic encounters
  • The Chorus's method is a harmonious and effective form of communication
Character traits
Welcoming Refined Graceful Diplomatic
Follow Cultured Woman's journey

Curious but cautious, balancing diplomatic formality with genuine interest in Riva's methods.

Picard observes Riva's unique communication method with curiosity, hesitating before initiating formal diplomatic protocol. He seeks Troi's advice when faced with the unexpected complexity of the Chorus.

Goals in this moment
  • Establish formal diplomatic relations with Riva
  • Understand the unique communication method of Riva and his Chorus
Active beliefs
  • Diplomatic encounters require respect and adaptability to unfamiliar customs
  • Understanding Riva's communication method is essential for the success of the mission
Character traits
Diplomatic Curious Observant Adaptable
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Alert and ready to respond to any perceived threat, especially when Riva's tone becomes aggressive.

Worf maintains a vigilant and protective stance throughout the interaction, instinctively stepping forward when Riva raises his voice. He ensures the safety of the away team.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the safety of the away team
  • Maintain security protocol during the diplomatic encounter
Active beliefs
  • His primary duty is to protect the away team from any potential threats
  • Diplomatic encounters can quickly escalate and require constant vigilance
Character traits
Vigilant Protective Disciplined Alert
Follow Worf's journey

Intrigued and somewhat flattered by the Warrior/Adonis's attention, while remaining professionally focused on understanding Riva's communication method.

Troi engages with Riva and the Chorus, sensing emotions and responding to the flirtatious advances of the Warrior/Adonis. She provides insightful observations to Picard about the unique communication method.

Goals in this moment
  • Understand and facilitate communication with Riva and his Chorus
  • Navigate the interpersonal dynamics with the Warrior/Adonis
Active beliefs
  • Riva's communication method is a unique and valuable form of mediation
  • The Chorus members represent different facets of Riva's personality
Character traits
Empathic Intrigued Adaptable Diplomatic
Follow Deanna Troi's journey

Bemused and confident, with moments of assertiveness when testing Picard's diplomatic skills.

Riva makes a commanding entrance, studying the away team with a bemused expression. He directs the Chorus with subtle gestures, revealing his reliance on them for communication. His demeanor shifts from pleasant to assertive when he demands direct communication.

Goals in this moment
  • Establish his authority and unique communication method to the away team
  • Test Picard's diplomatic adaptability and respect for his customs
Active beliefs
  • His unique communication method is a strength, not a limitation
  • Diplomatic partners must adapt to his methods for effective mediation
Character traits
Commanding Bemused Assertive Charismatic
Follow Rivan's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Solais Five

The meeting place on Ramatis serves as the setting for the diplomatic encounter between the away team and Riva. Its ceremonial ambiance underscores the formality and significance of the introduction.

Atmosphere Ceremonial and respectful, with an undercurrent of curiosity and anticipation.
Function Meeting place for diplomatic introduction
Symbolism Represents the bridge between two cultures and communication methods
Access Open to the away team and Riva's delegation, but with an air of formality and …
Dais where Riva takes his place Portals through which the Chorus enters

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 13
Causal

"Picard's captain's log and the order to divert to Ramatis directly set the away-team meeting that produces the ritualized assembly where the story's central mystery (Riva and his Chorus) is introduced."

Celestial Mechanics & Diplomatic Mechanics
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Causal

"Picard's captain's log and the order to divert to Ramatis directly set the away-team meeting that produces the ritualized assembly where the story's central mystery (Riva and his Chorus) is introduced."

Riker Commands the Bridge as Picard Prepares for Diplomatic Mission
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Causal

"Picard's captain's log and the order to divert to Ramatis directly set the away-team meeting that produces the ritualized assembly where the story's central mystery (Riva and his Chorus) is introduced."

Private Doubts and Planetary Puzzles
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Causal

"Picard's captain's log and the order to divert to Ramatis directly set the away-team meeting that produces the ritualized assembly where the story's central mystery (Riva and his Chorus) is introduced."

Celestial Puzzle & Diplomatic Arrival
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Causal

"Picard's captain's log and the order to divert to Ramatis directly set the away-team meeting that produces the ritualized assembly where the story's central mystery (Riva and his Chorus) is introduced."

Ceremonial Shift to Diplomatic Focus
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Causal

"Picard's captain's log and the order to divert to Ramatis directly set the away-team meeting that produces the ritualized assembly where the story's central mystery (Riva and his Chorus) is introduced."

Orbital Arrival and Diplomatic Preparations
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Causal

"Picard's captain's log and the order to divert to Ramatis directly set the away-team meeting that produces the ritualized assembly where the story's central mystery (Riva and his Chorus) is introduced."

Ceremonial Command
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Causal

"Picard's captain's log and the order to divert to Ramatis directly set the away-team meeting that produces the ritualized assembly where the story's central mystery (Riva and his Chorus) is introduced."

Ceremonial Departure to Ramatis
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

Riva's Ceremonial Revelation
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

The Chorus' Revelation: Unmasking Riva's Deafness
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

Riva's Commanding Presence
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

Chorus Unveils Riva's Multifaceted Nature
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

Riva Commits to the Solais Mission
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
What this causes 10
Character Continuity

"The revelation on Ramatis (Riva's deafness and Chorus' function) is carried forward and reiterated during shipboard introductions, maintaining continuity of how the crew must understand and interact with Riva."

Special Recognitions
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Character Continuity

"The revelation on Ramatis (Riva's deafness and Chorus' function) is carried forward and reiterated during shipboard introductions, maintaining continuity of how the crew must understand and interact with Riva."

The Chorus of Understanding
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Character Continuity

"The revelation on Ramatis (Riva's deafness and Chorus' function) is carried forward and reiterated during shipboard introductions, maintaining continuity of how the crew must understand and interact with Riva."

Meeting of Adaptive Minds
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Character Continuity

"The revelation on Ramatis (Riva's deafness and Chorus' function) is carried forward and reiterated during shipboard introductions, maintaining continuity of how the crew must understand and interact with Riva."

Kindred Spirits: Sensory Bridges
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Character Continuity

"The revelation on Ramatis (Riva's deafness and Chorus' function) is carried forward and reiterated during shipboard introductions, maintaining continuity of how the crew must understand and interact with Riva."

The Chorus of Identity
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

Riva's Ceremonial Revelation
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

The Chorus' Revelation: Unmasking Riva's Deafness
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

Riva's Commanding Presence
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

Chorus Unveils Riva's Multifaceted Nature
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The ritualized arrival context immediately leads to the Chorus's explanation and the critical revelation that Riva is deaf and uses the Chorus as his voice."

Riva Commits to the Solais Mission
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …

Key Dialogue

"WARRIOR/ADONIS: Then, although you already know my feelings toward you, allow me to put them into words. I am looking forward to this journey, now more than ever, because it gives me the chance to spend time in your company."
"TROI: There's a very different kind of communication here, Captain."
"CHORUS: I not only convey his words, but his emotional intent as well."