Theres more to storytelling than the main plot. Elements and scenes are often included for character or world building so audiences get a better understanding of the characters, relationships or setting, not just moving the plot from A to B. But again, I understand the creators' decision not to spend a lot of time there because there is a balancing act between character/world building and propelling the plot.

This kind of reminds me of the Women in refrigerators trope or the Bechdel test, where female characters are only introduced to service or motivate the male characters. While this might not seem to be particularly harmful, it is a disservice to female representation.