I can only speak for myself, but for me, having the Wayfinder coordinates being etched onto this dagger is still too much of a contrivance to be overlooked. Star Wars has never exactly been a paradigm of plotting and structure; but I can’t think of any moment that “jumps the shark” more than that. For crying out loud, the DSII was only built 30 years ago. And who would have carved the dagger with that information? Ochi?
I feel more split on the 3PO redub. I think the whispers are already telegraphed very well with the latest changes: Rey hears whispers when she picks up the dagger on Passana, then again while rescuing Chewie which prompts her to say “I have a feeling we need the dagger”, then she hears (presumably louder) whispers when she picks it up before being interrupted by Kylo, finally on Endor she puts two and two together over the meaning of “only this blade tells (the location of the Wayfinder)”.
Furthermore I feel that it’s better if the whispers are something only Rey knows about (and keeps to herself). That really drives on the idea of her feelings of isolation, in the same way she doesn’t tell Leia about her visions, she doesn’t tell her friends about the whispers. It would even make more sense now for her to storm off behind their backs on Endor, since she doesn’t want them to know what she’s doing (or how she’s doing it), instead of just because they’re running out of time.
I mean, yeah, the whispers are fantastic. But the dagger translations wouldn’t affect them at all, so I don’t understand the worry, here. And in fact - “It would even make more sense now for her to storm off behind their backs on Endor, since she doesn’t want them to know what she’s doing” - if Finn and Poe already know that the Wayfinder is on DSII, then doesn’t that counteract your point? If Rey just randomly tells them, “I think we have to go to Endor” (i.e. the new translation plan), and they’re just in the background wondering what the heck they’re doing out here, then that would be in line with what you’re proposing.
Also I’m not a fan of all the small bits that would have to be cut. I feel there needs to be at least some reaction to the dagger’s translation they’ve worked so hard for (such as “the Endor system. Where the last war ended?”), an ambiguous translation would prompt an even bigger reaction, disconcerted looks from Poe and Finn, saying something like “what is that supposed to mean?” or “is that helpful? Rey, does that ring a bell?”.
I’m sure we could figure out some way of redubbing that line. That’s not a huge issue. And if not…it’s not the first time this film failed to get adequate coverage. J.J.'s whole MO is cutting emotional scenes short with a sudden enemy arrival, so it would blend right in!
And I also don’t like trimming Jannah’s introduction even more and losing the Babu Frik joke from 3PO.
I thought we were cutting that line anyway, because they threw away their own story logic for the sake of a quick joke? (Namely that “Babu only works for the crew,” and also that the line implies he was broadcasting Rey’s location to the entire galaxy.)
Also, I know we have a few dads out here on the thread. Happy Father’s Day, you guys!