ST Ways TLJ Builds/Fails to Build Anticipation for Ep. 9

Yes, this thread contains dozens of variations on that theme.

In that case he definitely falls, because we've been given very nearly nothing.

@C Creepio I 100% agree with what you've just said.

Okay, now that we've had a chance to talk about the sequel hook that I consider most effective, I'd like to bring up the sequel hook that I consider least effective. This one was such a dud, that here on the boards it seems that super-fans and detractors alike have dismissed it as a pointless mcguffin

I am referring, of course, to Hux's "string". He tells Snoke he has the resistance tied on the end of a string. Cut to Finn's face, waking up in the medbay. When we come back to the subject, we miss what Hux told Snoke. All we know is that Snoke is very pleased: "Tied on a string indeed! Well done!"

Why is the movie being coy at this point? To me, there are 2 main possibilities: the writers were tossing random ideas on the screen for no reason, or it's meant to tease a plot point from IX. There's not much to say about the first possibility, but what if it's the second? Does anyone actually think this sequel hook was effective? It seems like quite the failure either way..

 

Wait I thought the string comment was referring to the hyperspace tracker?

 

Correct. TLJ leaves the hyperspace tracker unexplained, presumably to be addressed in the sequel.

ETA: I avoided calling it "hyperspace tracker" because that was a name Rose made up. The movie deliberately avoids revealing how Hux actually found them.

 

It was. And it's not spelled out what exactly Hux is referring to because to do so would spell out the ambush that's about to hit the Resistance before it hits. The hyperspace tracker is not a hook for episode 9.

 

Oh god, two pages of “If the string referred to hyperspace tracking the film should have said so. Wouldnit have hurt for Hux to clarify that by “string” he actually means “hyperspace tracking”. I guess RJ didn’t think it through”

 

What I don't understand is this - I get that people might miss something in the film (or any film). That happens all the time and is perfectly normal. But the normal response, when shown one's misunderstanding, is to take the new info onboard, acknowledge it and move on from the complaint with one's new enlightenment. Here, people seem impervious to clarification. As if the correct understanding of any given moment then weakens the attack, so the correction has to be dismissed or denied, even when the correction is clearly the right answer and does make sense, whereas the wrong answer makes no sense and of course feeds a complaint.

 

I think, that overall, it’s the result of having multiple threads in which a community of people with issues with the film can discuss amongst themselves without any expectation of being constructive, the impact of which is exaggerated massively by the film being divisive. People don’t just have their own issues, they’re adopting other people’s issues too, whether it was an issue that bothered them or not. These attitudes fester in the “cave” type threads, and have developed a sense of common cause amongst people who hated it, leading them to think that they’re the “real fans”
I totally get why the cave threads exist, and I think they’re too firmly established as places here now for them to be shut down, but I think that they are a hindrance to actual discussion of the film, because they really have created a “tribal” element where mind changing is not respected and seen as a sign of weakness.

 

I imagine with hyperspace tracking, it'll be an issue for TLJ and TLJ only - with the idea being that Rose or someone else has created some kind of baffle tech to counteract it. Unless they want to keep that threat as a constant. But I think it's served its purpose now.

 

You know what? After TLJ, you're probably right. Hated TFA and TLJ. FYI I used to manage the CT forums. Had lots of fun and was passionate about doing it. And was a fan of the PT. I don't share the care or any sort of like factor for these new films at all.

 

Are you saying you will see IX or you won’t? Cos my point was, I think everyone posting on this forum will be seeing IX

 

That will be a negative. Nor will I see the Solo movie. All garbage at this point.

 

*adds your name to list*

 

So what I've gathered here, is everyone is pretty like minded and any other thought of discussion is unwanted, correct?

 

Not at all, not liking the films is totally understandable. I just don’t buy that anyone who is still annoyed six weeks later, and is a member of a Star Wars online community, is going to not see the upcoming films. Me “adding your name to the list” was referring to a list of people who are steadfast in their assertion that they’re done. I’ll just be intrigued to see, when IX is released, how many people whonsaid they’re no longer the audience will still go, then complain the film didn’t cater to them

 

Oh that's cool. yeah add me lol. I just don't check back to this site often since it is so PC that it bans the term [MODified: Disallowed Word] from film discussion. Free speech much?

 

Since this isn’t the complaints thread, I’ll attempt to be somewhat even-handed here.

Good hook: Seems to set up internecine conflict between Hux and KR. Empire, I mean First Order, civil war would be interesting.

Bad hook: The Resistance is down to 15 people. Even with a massive time skip (on the order of years, not months), any scenario in which the Resistance prevails is going to seem more than a little implausible...not to mention the fact that a Resistance victory will necessarily feel hollow since we know it can all be obliterated after only a few years.

 

Using that term here is not allowed. Knowingly using that term here is certainly not allowed. Trying to derail the thread into a discussion of how overly "PC" the boards are is also not allowed.

If you want "free speech", feel free to start a blog. This is not a human rights issue--we are posting to a fansite for a space adventure series. You should already be aware of this basic distinction, so at this point I can only conclude that you're trolling. That we have standards of discourse here doesn't mean that you aren't still free to say whatever you like however you like elsewhere.

 

I suspect it'll get maybe a line saying they can cloak and no more tracking is possible.

 

Of course he thought it through. If Hux really used "new tech" to track them, then there's no hook for IX. If he used something else, like a spy, or a beacon, then there is. The "new tech" angle makes no sense, so it obviously must be a hook for IX.

 

Oh god, you’re serious aren’t you?
The “string” was hyperspace tracking. You might have noticed that it was the driving force of the entire plot.

 

My God.

 

Back and forth before we get told by him and several others that hey, it’s just his opinion and it’s equally as valid as the actual truth.

 

Kasdan was wrong apparently.


The audience clearly does need things specifically spelled out to them, like the prequels.

 

Good posting here.

I don't think it will be addressed. Like most other things it'll be ignored or forgotten. "it wasn't necessary to Ep9" will be the reason and people will just accept it to make the story work for them, even though it'll be another mistep.

 

It’s a plot point that already played into a film and was resolved. Honestly, this is such basic misunderstanding that I’m not surprised you didn’t understand some of the film.
This is so bizarre that it must be trolling.