Actress Ito Aghayere, who portrays a younger version of Guinan in Star Trek: Picard, has recently reflected and commented on her personal relationship to the famous franchise as a whole. Star Trek: Picard season 2 was finally released at the beginning of this March and now at the midway point of its ten episode run.
Due to Star Trek: Picard re-visiting Jean-Luc Picard's ultimate rival, Q, the second season is able to explore and incorporate elements of time-travel, having the opportunity to tap into different multiverses. This grants fans the opportunity to have even more access to iconic, previously established characters throughout the Star Trek franchise whose past may have remained anonymous for far too long. With the influx of the successions of flashbacks, many cast members received callbacks as Star Trek: Picard season 2 continues to run rampant with quick cameos. Most notably out of the many cameos is young Guinan (played by Aghayere), who happens to be running her own bar in L.A. - except she happens to be living on Earth in the year 2024. Originally, the role of the bartender has previously belonged to Whoopi Goldberg, however, this season showcases the transition of Aghayere taking on the role instead. Her character makes her debut in the series during season 2, episode four, which is titled “Watcher.”
Now, in a recent interview with Variety, Aghayere has detailed the unique kinship and connection she feels towards the Star Trek franchise. “I watched all of ‘TNG’ as a kid, primarily because my parents are immigrants, and they’re very conservative. As a kid growing up, there were very few shows that they would let us watch without having to care what it was about, or understand what it was about," Aghayere said. " I don’t think I told Patrick - as I probably should have - but they thought he looked really smart and intelligent. So they were like, ‘Eh, she’s going to learn something, let them watch it.’ I couldn’t watch Power Rangers, but I could watch Star Trek.”
The Star Trek: Picard episode in question features Admiral Picard finding himself at the bar while on his elaborate search for the ominous Watcher. This scene is quite jarring for fans, as the young Guinan reveals that she can no longer remember who the Starfleet Admiral is. Aghayere's character throughout the scene also shares that she is planning on closing down the bar and is subsequently ready to leave planet Earth for good. After finally being persuaded enough, Guinan agrees to help Admiral Picard find the Watcher. Throughout their hunt, Admiral Picard tries hard to convince young Guinan to give planet Earth one more final chance at redemption.
It’s interesting to see Aghayere's childhood connection to Star Trek come full circle as she gets to step into the shoes of Guinan, now having the opportunity to provide that same level of healthy escapism to other first-generation kids who desperately need that outlet too. Star Trek not only provided a fantasy for children to imagine, but also the franchise naturally nurtured and stimulated the desire to be curious, to want to learn, ask questions, discover and explore - all priceless values and instincts to foster.
Star Trek: Picard season 2 premieres new episodes on Thursdays on Paramount Plus.
Source: Variety