The Chorus of Identity
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Picard offers Riva shipboard hospitality and a mission briefing; Troi volunteers to escort Riva and the Warrior/Adonis to guest quarters while Worf provides an escort, moving the negotiation off the bridge.
When Picard asks how Riva will contact the Chorus, the Woman explains that Riva's headband transmits his thoughts and emotions to them—defining the critical technology that underpins his mediating method.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Supportive and engaged
The Chorus translates Riva's thoughts and emotions, explaining his communication method to the crew and supporting his interactions, particularly with Geordi.
- • Facilitate Riva's communication with the crew
- • Clarify Riva's unique communication method
- • Their role is vital to Riva's ability to communicate
- • The crew's understanding is essential for effective interaction
Empathetic and warm
The Cultured Woman explains Riva's communication method to the crew and interacts warmly with Geordi, fostering understanding and connection.
- • Explain Riva's communication method clearly
- • Foster a connection between Riva and Geordi
- • Understanding Riva's method will lead to better interaction
- • Geordi's experience with the VISOR parallels Riva's with the Chorus
Observant and intrigued
Pulaski observes Riva on the bridge, noting his disarming quality and genuine curiosity, which she attributes to his success.
- • Assess Riva's personality and potential impact on the crew
- • Understand the psychological aspects of his communication method
- • Riva's 'special' qualities contribute to his success
- • His genuine curiosity sets him apart from others
Neutral and professional
The Transporter Chief announces the away team's arrival, facilitating the smooth transition of Riva and his Chorus onto the Enterprise.
- • Ensure the away team's safe transport aboard
- • Maintain operational efficiency during the transfer
- • His role is critical to the ship's logistics
- • Precision and timing are essential in transport operations
Professional and focused
Wesley sets the course and velocity for Solais Five under Riker's command, demonstrating his technical proficiency.
- • Execute navigational commands with precision
- • Support the mission's timely departure
- • His role is crucial to the ship's operations
- • Following orders promptly ensures mission success
Welcoming and professionally engaged
Picard welcomes Riva and his Chorus aboard the Enterprise, introducing them to the crew with diplomatic formality and courtesy.
- • Facilitate Riva's integration aboard the Enterprise
- • Ensure the crew understands and respects Riva's unique communication method
- • Riva's mediation skills are vital to the mission's success
- • The Enterprise must accommodate and support Riva's needs
Neutral and courteous
Data is at Ops, introduced to Riva, and responds politely when Riva smiles at him, acknowledging Riva's uniqueness.
- • Maintain operational efficiency on the bridge
- • Welcome Riva aboard with appropriate courtesy
- • Riva is a unique individual deserving respect
- • The Chorus is an interesting and effective communication method
Dutiful and focused
Worf provides escort for the Chorus, ensuring their safe passage to their quarters, demonstrating his dutiful nature.
- • Ensure the Chorus's safe and orderly escort
- • Maintain security protocol during the escort
- • His role as security officer is paramount
- • The Chorus's safety is his responsibility
Anxious to get underway, then surprised by Riva's Chorus
Riker commands the bridge and reacts with surprise upon seeing Riva's Chorus, questioning how a deaf mediator could be so renowned.
- • Ensure the mission proceeds smoothly
- • Understand Riva's unique communication method
- • Riva's reputation precedes him, but his deafness is unexpected
- • The Chorus is an unusual but fascinating communication method
Engaged and subtly attracted
Troi is assigned to escort Riva, sharing a silent but charged connection with him, hinting at an unspoken attraction.
- • Escort Riva to his quarters with professionalism
- • Explore the unspoken connection between them
- • Her empathic skills will help bridge any communication gaps
- • Riva's presence is intriguing and magnetic
Comfortable and connected
Geordi explains his VISOR to Riva, forming an immediate kinship with him over their shared reliance on adaptive technologies.
- • Share his experience with the VISOR to foster understanding
- • Build a rapport with Riva based on their shared reliance on technology
- • His VISOR is an integral part of who he is
- • Riva's Chorus serves a similar purpose to his VISOR
Connected and understanding
Riva communicates through his Chorus, forming a bond with Geordi over their shared reliance on adaptive technologies, and expresses contentment with who he is.
- • Establish a connection with Geordi based on shared experiences
- • Ensure the crew understands and respects his communication method
- • His Chorus is an integral part of his identity
- • Geordi's VISOR serves a similar purpose to his Chorus
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Geordi's VISOR is touched by Riva, sparking a conversation about their shared reliance on adaptive technologies. The VISOR symbolizes the bond between Geordi and Riva, highlighting their mutual acceptance of their unique needs.
Riva's headband is explained as the device that transmits his thoughts and emotions to his Chorus. It serves as the technological foundation of his communication method, drawing parallels to Geordi's VISOR.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Main Bridge serves as the setting for Riva's introduction to the crew, where the Chorus is unveiled and Geordi's kinship with Riva is established. It is the central hub for the crew's interactions with Riva.
The Guest Quarters are where Troi escorts Riva and the Warrior/Adonis, showcasing a charged, unspoken connection between Riva and Troi, hinting at deeper emotional layers beneath their professional interactions.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"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 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 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 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 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 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 immediate kinship established between Geordi and Riva (both reliant on external aids) motivates Geordi's personal commitment to diagnose and attempt to repair Riva's device in Engineering."
"The immediate kinship established between Geordi and Riva (both reliant on external aids) motivates Geordi's personal commitment to diagnose and attempt to repair Riva's device in Engineering."
"The immediate kinship established between Geordi and Riva (both reliant on external aids) motivates Geordi's personal commitment to diagnose and attempt to repair Riva's device in Engineering."
Themes This Exemplifies
Thematic resonance and meaning
Key Dialogue
"WOMAN: 'Your VISOR serves the same purpose as my Chorus, which "hears" my thoughts and translates them into sound.'"
"GEORDI: 'They are both part of me, and since I like who I am, why would I resent either being blind or wearing the VISOR?'"
"WOMAN: 'It's a blessing to understand we are special... each in his own way.'"