The fight for peace and freedom vs oppression, fascism, and tyranny never ends. Even after the climatic events of Return Of The Jedi in the Original Trilogy! However, it would have been rewarding to have seen some actual peace and prosperity, even for a short time, for all those who fought so hard for it; the beloved characters in the Original Trilogy, in Rebels, Rogue One, Andor, and Solo. Not to forget all those characters in the many great games, comics and books featuring in that time.
Maybe that would have served as a more effective and compelling story? Before we see the eventual disagreements, vested interests, and cracks appear in the New Republic. The various factions working to undermine the NR at every move, patiently building up their own forces, readying themselves to making an eventual play for power? The warlords, pirates and profiteers, organised crime, weapons manufacturers, the Imperial Remnant, the First Order, and any Dark Side force-wielders out there.
The New Republic had the daunting task of not only creating a new system of government to replace the oppressive tyrannical Empire, but to also unite the galaxy, keep the peace, and win over the sceptics. All without the thousands of Jedi to help maintain peace and justice, as they did for a thousand generations in the Old Republic. The NR would clearly struggle. We now know they always have, and will. Right up until the First Order easily takes back power with a single shot from Starkiller Base.
All of the above should make for some reasoned, logical and compelling storytelling. Established factions and antagonists given room and time for intrigue, excitement, danger, new characters and stories. Not too dissimilar from the early EU. And yet, for some of us, the onscreen depiction of this New Republic has felt “off”, lacking, poorly and lazily written; with some truly head-scratching decisions that defy logic or credibility. To the point it seems the NR will continue to be written and depicted as being dumb & inept throughout their tenure, up to the events of TFA. Even legacy characters, notably Hera and Mon Mothma, appear to be almost different personas than portrayed in the pre-OT/OT era. Whereas others are conspicuous by their absence.
How do you view the writing and portrayal of the New Republic era?
A compelling story? Solid enough? Mixed? Disappointed? Struggling to care? Insulted by the portrayal of the NR? The writers’ repeating the ‘quick and easy way’ of depicting the New Republic as being almost 2D and inept, or making baffling and nonsensical decisions to simply ‘handwave away’ any plot issues… just to move the current plot forward more easily & quickly?