Before Tyrian Lannister was drinking and knowing things, Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) had Guinan, played by Whoopi Goldberg, who tended bar and listened. She appears in 15 episodes, often drawing out philosophical and social conversations from the crew, even forcing high ranking persons (Picard, for example) to confront racism, concepts of redemption, and their own leadership methods.
If you don’t know or revere the character, you should get to know her. After all, Sir Patrick Stewart asked her to return to the role for Picard season 2.
Whoopi’s History with the Show
Brought to tears by the offer, Whoopi accepts. Although the interaction and response seems to shock her co-hosts, fans of the actress and the show know just how deeply meaningful Star Trek is to her.
Well, when I was nine years old Star Trek came on. I looked at it and I went screaming through the house, ‘Come here, mum, everybody, come quick, come quick, there’s a black lady on television and she ain’t no maid!
StarTrek.com
That women was Lieutenant Uhura, portrayed by Nichelle Nichols. Martin Luther King Jr. encouraged the actress, explaining the impact her character in the original series had:
Don’t you understand for the first time we’re seen as we should be seen. You don’t have a black role. You have an equal role.
Trek Nation
Whoopi’s reaction as a child shows just this; she finally saw herself reflected on the television screen. (And an adorable photo of a child cosplaying as Guinan was brought up on the show; children still see themselves, but now through Whoopi’s character.) The moment between Whoopi and Stewart is beautiful, especially when the View can often be catty and argumentative. In this moment, Sir Patrick Stewart and Whoopi remind us of the message of Star Trek – that we all belong.
Unfortunately, but perhaps not surprisingly, this moment is almost disrupted by one of Whoopi’s co-hosts who, grabbing a strand of Whoopi’s hair says, “does this mean this hair will have to go?” As Whoopi grapples with the emotion of returning to Star Trek, Sir Patrick Stewart steps in, “she can wear her hair however she likes.” A captain stepping in for his crew member. A good man using his privilege to support someone with less.
Diversity in Entertainment
This moment demonstrates why it’s still important that we talk about diversity. A woman of color faced microaggressions at work. A woman who has earned her place, won awards, hosted shows, and generally outperformed her counterparts in the industry. (Raven-Symon had similar experiences while on The View.) And yet, a less accomplished white woman has the audacity to turn a powerful and impactful moment into a slight.
Luckily, Whoopi and fans have been able to celebrate the announcement. Since the entirety of Picard is not yet released, there’s no knowing where the character will appear or how she will be integrated into the story, but it doesn’t matter. Her philosophizing is needed. Even Stewart was only willing to return to the franchise on the understanding that it would represent the world that we’re in.
The world of ‘Next Generation’ doesn’t exist anymore. It’s different. Nothing is really safe. Nothing is really secure.
Variety
In a divided world, Star Trek is the perfect vehicle for a continued critique of society. And Guinan? She’s been listening all this time; the world needs to hear her speak.
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