Q:

gulp-util now included in npm install of gulp? 

ok, so I didn't find my answer in the already asked questions.   I recently had to reload my node to include trying to reload all the globally loaded 'things' (that I could remember). 
Back when I was learning "Gulp", I remember having to do a separate install for gulp-util.   But when I looked in the node > node_modules folder, I see where gulp-util was already loaded as a sub module of gulp.   This was also a duplicated and exact version as to my separate install of gulp-util. 
So does gulp (npm install -g gulp), now come with gulp-util as a part of its install process.  So doing a separate install of gulp-util is pointless and overkill??    Or do I still need to do it??? 

A:

Yes, you still need. 
The fact that gulp-util is a submodule (along with any other) of gulp just means that gulp uses it, but doesn't mean that you don't need to include it. 
If you want to get gulp-util from gulp you can do something like it:
var gutil = require('gulp/node_modules/gulp-util')

But, I strongly advise you not to. 
Anyway, gulp is a build tool, overkill shouldn't be a concern here since you won't ship it or its rendundant submodules for the client.