Guinan's (Whoopi Goldberg) appearance in Star Trek: Picard season 2 could rewrite her relationship with Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). Along with Guinan, Star Trek: Picard season 2 reintroduces Q (John de Lancie) from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The fiendish, omnipotent being with continue the "trial" he has imposed on Picard since the very beginning of TNG, which launches into Star Trek: Picard season 2's time travel and alternate reality story where the United Federation of Planets has become a fascist regime. The question is how Guinan fits into Star Trek: Picard season 2 and what new layers will be revealed about the El Aurian's friendship with Picard?
Guinan joined Star Trek: The Next Generation in season 2 as the wise bartender of Ten Forward, the lounge aboard the USS Enterprise-D. It quickly became clear that Guinan and Captain Picard had a unique bond of trust where Jean-Luc often sought the El Aurian's guidance. The TNG season 5/6 two-parter, "Time's Arrow," later revealed that Guinan met Picard and the Enterprise crew in 19th century San Francisco during a time travel mission. Guinan played a pivotal role in Star Trek Generations where she advised Picard in the rules of the Nexus and how to escape the other-dimensional time ribbon. The last time Guinan appeared was when she attended the wedding of Commander Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) in Star Trek: Nemesis.
Guinan's potential role in Star Trek: Picard season 2 could shed new light on her relationship with Jean-Luc Picard. Just as she was Picard's anchor in Star Trek Generations' Nexus, Guinan could be the one who helps Jean-Luc penetrate the alternate reality created by Q in Star Trek: Picard season 2. As an El Aurian, which is a race of listeners, Guinan has lived for centuries, but she also possesses unique abilities of perception that have never been clarified. In truth, Guinan's talents tend to reflect whatever the story needs from her, and this could be the case in Star Trek: Picard season 2 as well. It's possible that after Q reboots the timeline, Guinan could be the one person who knows the new reality is false and she opens Picard's eyes to the truth.
Guinan also has an antagonistic relationship with Q, which she shares with Picard. Q despises Guinan and has referred to her as "this creature" who the omnipotent being implied has used another name in their past encounters. Despite Q's power set, he was once given pause when Guinan threatened to use her own powers against him. Guinan even once stabbed Q's hand with a fork when he temporarily lost his powers and became human. In Star Trek: Picard season 2, Guinan could once again be the wrench in Q's ultimate scheme against Picard and her return could be pivotal in helping Jean-Luc, Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), Soji (Isa Briones), and the other members of Picard's motley crew set the timeline right.
Given that Star Trek: Picard could be the final time Whoopi Goldberg reprises Guinan opposite Patrick Stewart's Picard, season 2 could finally deliver answers about the El Aurian Trekkers have been wondering about since TNG. As such, Jean-Luc's relationship with Guinan could be redefined, especially now that Picard is in the twilight of his years and is no longer the Captain of the Enterprise. The older Guinan and Jean-Luc may be on more even ground in Star Trek: Picard season 2 and the scope of their timeless relationship may be tested and then rewritten after season 2's journey into a dark alternate reality. Hopefully, Star Trek: Picard will finally reveal who and what Guinan really is and what she and Jean-Luc Picard truly mean to each other.
Star Trek: Picard Season 2 premieres in 2022 on Paramount+.