RE: Originality
he may not have written it, but Abrams didn't object to literally taking the most important part of Star Trek Wrath of Khan and pasting it with a role reversal into 'Star Trek: Into Darkness' so I mean...it's really possible that the entire ending is a carbon copy of 'ANH'.
example (IMO based on trailer): all storylines converge on X ice planet where the rebel alliance stages an airborne attack of the new order's planet death cannon, while ground troups defend the rebel alliance base on X forest planet from invading new order troops. Culminating in the destruction of ice planet death cannon/retreat of new order forces.
At this point though I'm sort of indifferent to this outcome, because I feel like A LOT of the best elements of the original series are going to be recycled in a subtle way (despite the pretty obvoius, original series character dying) to form a coherent story with REAL protagonists and antagonists fighting a battle with actual stakes.
Something the prequels SERIOUSLY lacked and never got right. There was no likable protagonist, the storyline was boring, the action wasn't exciting or engaging, the stakes were never high...like ever.
