Fabula
S2E6 · Star Trek: The Next Generation - Loud as a Whisper

Riva Commits to the Solais Mission

Captain Picard and the Enterprise away team meet the renowned mediator Riva on Ramatis, discovering his unique communication method through his Chorus—three individuals who convey his words and emotional intent. Riva's deafness is revealed not as a limitation but as a source of his mediation strength, with the Chorus serving as his voice across different archetypes: the intellectual Scholar/Artist, the passionate Warrior/Adonis, and the cultured Woman. Despite initial uncertainties, Picard successfully conveys the urgency of the Solais Five crisis, and Riva agrees to assist, insisting on bringing his Chorus. The event marks a pivotal commitment to the diplomatic mission, blending curiosity, admiration, and immediate action as the group transports to the Enterprise.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Picard briefs Riva on the urgent situation at Solais Five; Riva accepts and announces immediate preparation for departure, including bringing his Chorus, turning diplomatic intent into action and committing his unique method to the mission.

concern to resolution

With Worf's authorization, the away team, Riva, and the Chorus beam up to the Enterprise—closing the encounter and converting a ceremonial exchange into the operational start of the Solais Five mission.

anticipation to forward momentum ['beaming up to the Enterprise']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

6

Professionally neutral with individualized inflection

Functions as seamless extension of Riva's consciousness, shifting between ceremonial formality and personal expression with disciplined synchronicity.

Goals in this moment
  • Accurately manifest Riva's multidimensional personality
  • Demonstrate centuries-old ceremonial tradition
Active beliefs
  • They embody perfected intercultural communication
  • Their service legitimizes Riva's authority
Character traits
Ritualistic precision Archetypal specialization Non-visual attunement Emotional transparency
Follow Chorus's journey

Professionally cordial with instructive patience

Serves as Riva's diplomatic interface, explaining historical context while maintaining elegant hospitality despite immediate crisis.

Goals in this moment
  • Educate Starfleet about Chorus tradition
  • Establish Riva's unassailable credentials
Active beliefs
  • Their method represents evolutionary advancement in diplomacy
  • Specialization creates perfect communication
Character traits
Cultural sophistication Ceremonial grace Historical awareness Diplomatic polish
Follow Cultured Woman's journey

Professionally impressed but urgently pragmatic

Maintains diplomatic composure while absorbing Riva's unconventional methods, tactfully correcting protocol missteps and urgently redirecting focus to the Solais Five crisis.

Goals in this moment
  • Secure Riva's cooperation for Solais Five mediation
  • Understand the mechanics of Riva's communication system
Active beliefs
  • Extraordinary situations require flexible diplomacy
  • First contact protocols must adapt to cultural uniqueness
Character traits
Diplomatic adaptability Intellectual curiosity Mission-focused pragmatism Cultural sensitivity
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Professionally alert with underlying suspicion

Maintains protective tactical readiness, instinctively reacting to Riva's sudden commanding gesture before standing down at Picard's cue.

Goals in this moment
  • Monitor potential threats from unfamiliar alien protocol
  • Execute smooth transport sequence for expanded delegation
Active beliefs
  • Unconventional behavior warrants security scrutiny
  • First contacts require strict operational discipline
Character traits
Tactical vigilance Cultural reservation Protocol adherence Situational awareness
Follow Worf's journey

Intrigued and professionally charmed

Forms instantaneous empathic connection with Riva through his Chorus, visibly flattered by Warrior/Adonis' advances while deciphering the emotional undercurrents of the exchange.

Goals in this moment
  • Establish psychological rapport with Riva's unique consciousness
  • Navigate the Warrior/Adonis' advances without compromising mission integrity
Active beliefs
  • Interspecies communication transcends verbal language
  • Flirtation can be legitimate cultural exchange
Character traits
Empathic attunement Diplomatic discretion Cultural adaptability Playful receptivity
Follow Deanna Troi's journey

Bemused confidence with calculated intensity

Projects serene authority through silence, deliberately provoking Picard to test Federation adaptability before committing to the Solais mission.

Goals in this moment
  • Assess Starfleet's capacity for unconventional diplomacy
  • Establish dominance in negotiation dynamics
Active beliefs
  • True mediation requires submission to his methods
  • Disability transforms into strategic advantage
Character traits
Ceremonial precision Psychological strategy Cultural pride Theatrical command
Follow Rivan's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Worf's Sickbay Communicator

Worf's communicator enables pivotal transport sequence, its Starfleet engineering contrasting with Riva's organic communication methods as seven individuals simultaneously beam to the Enterprise.

Before: Dormant at Worf's belt
After: Activated during transport sequence
Before: Dormant at Worf's belt
After: Activated during transport sequence

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Solais Five

Looms as offscreen crisis point that accelerates negotiations - its unseen violence creates urgency that cuts through ceremonial proceedings.

Atmosphere Invisible tension catalyst
Function Offscreen motivating crisis
Symbolism Represents the fragile peace Riva specializes in
Access Currently hostile environment
Mentioned only through dialogue Exists as absent-yet-dominant concern

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."

Ceremonial Welcome and Flirtations
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 …
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."

Ceremonial Welcome and Flirtations
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 …

Key Dialogue

"SCHOLAR/ARTIST: 'I am the scholar. I represent the intellect. I speak in matters of judgment -- philosophy -- logic. Also, I am -- the dreamer. The part which longs to see the beauty beyond the truth which is always the first duty of art.'"
"WARRIOR/ADONIS: 'Artists tend to ramble, they live too much in the future, they neglect the moment. I am Riva's libido. I am his passion. I am the anarchy of lust. The romantic -- the ... lover. Also, I am as he.'"
"PICARD: 'Riva -- if you are ready -- the situation at Solais Five is very critical. We should not delay.'"