Ah, the writer's strike. That explains a lot. It's not exactly a bad episode but it's not great either. I never considered how Guinan steps on Troi's toes, but you're right. We hardly ever see Troi having heart to hearts with anyone then suddenly Guinan appears and people are talking to her about everything. What does Troi do? Im not sure they thought that character through at all.
In the original Trek pilot, "The Cage", Kirk's predecessor, Captain Pike's medical officer doubles as a bartender and confidante. I believe Troi was supposed to build on that with a 'scientific' role (counsellor/psychiatrist) - although there's little scientific about these kinds of roles in practice. But of course, Guinan as actual bartender does some toe-treading. They do work out a clear role for Troi later, thankfully, but it's slow in coming.
'But Guinan manipulates him into staying on the Enterprise. So we're all sad.' LOL
Guinan is really the only truly fun thing about it, and meeting Pulaski, but as you say, she's overshadowed by Whoopi.
Ah, the writer's strike. That explains a lot. It's not exactly a bad episode but it's not great either. I never considered how Guinan steps on Troi's toes, but you're right. We hardly ever see Troi having heart to hearts with anyone then suddenly Guinan appears and people are talking to her about everything. What does Troi do? Im not sure they thought that character through at all.
In the original Trek pilot, "The Cage", Kirk's predecessor, Captain Pike's medical officer doubles as a bartender and confidante. I believe Troi was supposed to build on that with a 'scientific' role (counsellor/psychiatrist) - although there's little scientific about these kinds of roles in practice. But of course, Guinan as actual bartender does some toe-treading. They do work out a clear role for Troi later, thankfully, but it's slow in coming.