@riseagainst976: Well despite Abram's failings, IMO i would give the biggest blame to Johnson instead. Because in the end, Johnson did have multiple plot threads from Ep.7 that he chose not to follow. And Johnson's own plot threads were not up to the task and were found wanting.
@gargungulunk: Indeed the show wasnt boring at all (if you noticed i mentioned very briefly some of its qualities), but IMO the show also serves as a warning for screenwriters not to stack plot theads that ultimately most of them will lead nowhere.
All i remember from Lost was the script writers admitting they added stuff for the "rule of cool" and for "shock and awe" and thus they had a great difficulty of making up the ending and connecting all the loose plots.
If you dont know the Mystery Box Technique (search it on Youtube) in loose terms, it is the journey and not the destination, meaning the writer invents plot threads that may or may not be solved in the next episodes or sequels (if it is a movie).
IMO Lost is the case that should be avoided as a a show and the complete failure of the Abrams "Mystery box technique/and mentality (he was producer). In Lost there was almost a new "mystery" or "unexplained thing" that defied expectations in almost every episode. And forget about the show actually explaining most of these meaningfully.
That is not to say that Lost was a very good show (in some ways like cinematography, actors and so on) or that the Mystery Box technique isnt a good technique (provided you know its big limitations).
The problem is that the Mystery Box technique is unsustainable in the long run if you just keep adding unexplained stuff. Because in the end these stuff have to make sense. It may work on a fantasy or sci-fi setting (where deus-ex magic/science can explain the unexplainable) but too much and it bloats.
And for the maximum level of problems lets see Star Wars: New Trilogy.
Star Wars: Force Awakens had Abram's Mystery Box technique. Too many mysteries were introduced.
StarWars: The Last Jedi had Johnson's Essential Technique. (Only keep what is needed in the plot). I dont remember the real name of the technique so i call it "essential" for this article. Nevertheless it is quite an old technique from the early days of theater/cinema/and so on.
This technique has very few mysteries because the essence is you if there is no point to show plot threads that will no happen. It is the opposite of the Mystery Box technique and its limitations is that there is no room for unexpected plot threads that may arise naturally. Example if your actors have good chemistry, there is no real room to have a plot thread expanding that good chemistry.
IMO the Mystery Box Technique is better than the Essential Technique (which lacks flexibility) because it sets up more plot threads that may or may not be followed further in sequels/other episodes etc.
However if the Mystery Box technique is not kept in check we have phenomena as the Lost.
PS1: Also the Fringe (despite not as bloated with unexplained plot threads as Lost) could follow a similar example, but a final season that was very different in style and approach saved the show (which had a much stronger foundation) admirably.
Lost had much worse foundations (every episode had one mystery) and as such was doomed from the beginning.
PS2: In case you didnt know G.R.R. Martin greatest fear for Game of Thrones was “What if I do a ‘Lost’?” So yeas Lost has become an example to avoid by writers.
In that sense Lost really did change the TV shows. But not as a good example.
@xcael: Yeah right.. I say let them drive the prices up and lets see who will buy their games.
I dont know if you have noticed but EA is always at the center of these "declarations". Which is ironic considering they have one of the most offensive DLC and microtransaction polices.
EA will have a problem soon, because they dont innovate enough. Anthem is their only new IP.
@kenundrum7: Honestly you should get your SW fix from KOTOR (28-36 hours), KOTOR 2 (31-39 hours) or even the Old Battlefront 2 (8-12 hours) than the game you played, the new Battlefront 2 (4-5 hours).
The games i mentioned were more original, had a much closer collaboration from Lucasarts than EA has with Disney, they were Cannon back then (when Cannon mattered) and they are Cannon now (especially old BF2 with the 501st Legion).
The old Battlefront 2 is so successful it even has its own servers. Amazing for a 2005 game that wasnt really supported by EA.
As you can see its not bad either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOJtqLt87Ic
Forgive me for my words and i mean no disrespect but New Battlefront 2 goes for 40$ now, and it seems you paid 10$ per 1 hour of story (if you were interested only in sp). Do me a favor and check the games i mentioned. You might be positevely surprised.
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