#pichard

The experiences of the deaf community are so rarely brought up in star trek which I think is a shame. Some of star treks best episodes are about learning to communicate with other people, especially when they perceive things differently (Eg. “Darmok” in TNG and “Dawn” in ENT). There are such interesting possibilities inherent in a sci-fi setting that are never touched upon. 

“Loud as a Whisper“ in TNG is the only episode I can find that features a deaf character. In it, Riva (played by Howie Seago) is a famed negotiator who the crew are surprised to find out is deaf. He communicates through a chorus of 3 other people who voice his thoughts for him. During the course of the episode they are killed, and he is left with only sign language as his form of communication. Data manages to communication with him by learning sign. The episode ends with him deciding to continue the negotiations by teaching sign to the two opposing alien groups.

It doesn’t do a lot in terms of exploring the implications of deafness in the 24th century, but it’s sincere in it’s attempts to provide representation. Seago, who is deaf himself, pitched the idea of a deaf character to the producers and was responsible for the better aspects of the episode. The original version of the script had Riva learning to speak overnight, which Seago advised against saying “it would perpetuate the psychological harm that’s done now in forcing deaf children to use their voice whether they can or not.“ Seago also used genuine ASL throughout the episode, which many deaf viewers caught on to.

Overall, while I feel that trek has missed out on some great opportunities for dynamic world building and diversity, this one episode does seem like a genuine attempt to create a relatable deaf character that doesn’t need to be “cured” and is accepted as himself.

J’aimais bien le coup de crayon de georges Pichard quand j’étais petit.

Je l’aurais sans doute aimé encore plus si j’avais connu alors ses œuvres érotiques   :-p

Pour en (sa)voir plus sur Blanche Epiphanie :

http://www.bodoi.info/une-integrale-pour-blanche-epiphanie/

http://www.bedetheque.com/serie-4319-BD-Blanche-Epiphanie.html

http://bdoubliees.com/metalhurlant/series1/blancheepiphanie.htm

http://www.senscritique.com/bd/Blanche_Epiphanie/443437

http://www.2dgalleries.com/art/georges-pichard-blanche-epiphanie-11547