Part 9/9:
In summary, The Empire Strikes Back remains the gold standard for narratively meaningful failure. Its careful buildup, character arcs, and thematic coherence demonstrate how failure can be used to craft compelling, emotionally charged stories. The Last Jedi, on the other hand, exemplifies how failure, when mishandled, can detract from storytelling and leave audiences disconnected.
Ultimately, mastery in storytelling lies in understanding that failure should matter—serving as a force that pushes characters to grow, and that such growth should be earned. The Empire Strikes Back exemplifies this mastery, while The Last Jedi serves as a reminder of what happens when failure is treated superficiality—an instructive contrast in the art of storytelling.