I think Merry’s line is fine. As was stated above, he’s supposed to be a Sith/Palpatine expert or whatever. Just because he knows about Grandpa Sheev doesn’t mean everybody knows. Granted, the line is stupid as hell from a generic writing perspective; but that’s not a good enough reason to have an abrupt cut in the middle of the scene. I say leave it alone.
As for the lightsaber, I think it makes more sense narratively to just cut Rey forfeiting the saber to Leia; but Hal said he’s not worried about it, so we shouldn’t worry about it.
I will say one more thing about Pasaana though: even if we keep the “necklace tracking” thingy, perhaps we should still cut Poe’s line about “There are always First Order troops around these parts.” Mainly because, if the First Order has been hanging around for a while here, and their presence is known, Why are the locals putting on a puppet show about Luke defeating and humiliating them?
I definitely think the new puppet show should be included - it has substantial benefit for the finale of the movie - but do we think it’ll be weird that this seemingly primitive culture is doing this right in front of the First Order, and kids are laughing at the First Order, and the First Order isn’t doing anything to shut them down?
If we cut Poe’s line, there’ll be no indication that there are Stormtroopers around - hence, why they feel safe enough to put on the puppet show. Of course, that would mean the audience would either have to infer that there was some random, surprise patrol on the planet before the First Order knew that Rey & Co. were there; or we’d have to cut the “tracking” scene too, and imply that the First Order always knew that they were there. They’re not there doing a random patrol (which the Pig People would have anticipated, in that context); they’re only there to hunt the Heroes.
I genuinely want to hear people’s thoughts.
TL;DR: Three options:
- The Pasaanians are making fun of the First Order directly in front of the First Order, and the First Order don’t care, son.
- No one knew that there would be a First Order patrol at the party. The First Order didn’t know that Rey & Co. were going to be there. The First Order just manages to happen upon them in this whole gigantic desert planet out of luck.
- The First Order doesn’t have to “track” them to Pasaana at all. They already know that they’re there, and they try to catch them in a trap (which is thwarted by Lando).