Technically, you don't need the mother or family drama for the story. Relatively speaking, it was a late addition to the Dr. Strange mythos; in the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era, Clea was a standard issue Damsel in Distress, the daughter of Dormammu's high priest. Umar came later.
Still, the family drama would add some interesting shadings to the story. Steven's relationship to his arch enemy has gone through some subtle changes. Oh, they still hate each other, but it's tinged with mutual respect and a bit of "you married my niece, so I guess we're sort of family?" thrown in.
[But it's one of those families that literally tries to obliterate each other from time to time.]
The family dynamic was captured perfectly during Umar's recent wedding. Stephen and Clea were obligated to attend, but clearly wanted to be anywhere else:
Stephen: Do you think there's an open bar? Clea: Gods, I hope so.
Her favorite uncle
Still, the family drama would add some interesting shadings to the story. Steven's relationship to his arch enemy has gone through some subtle changes. Oh, they still hate each other, but it's tinged with mutual respect and a bit of "you married my niece, so I guess we're sort of family?" thrown in.
[But it's one of those families that literally tries to obliterate each other from time to time.]
The family dynamic was captured perfectly during Umar's recent wedding. Stephen and Clea were obligated to attend, but clearly wanted to be anywhere else:
Stephen: Do you think there's an open bar?
Clea: Gods, I hope so.