Some people complain that there's more discussion about companions and romances than the main plot, but the main plot is such bullshit I prefer to just ignore it.
Both Gortash and Orin would be better off without the brain and the stones.
I don't mind Tav not being connected to the story though. I find my character growth (for both Tav and Durge) in my interactions with the companions. Astarion ruined my first evil playthrough because I started being nice to him and ended up being nice to everyone else too.
