Well that's kind of unrelated to your original statement, though. Here's what you said:
I would agree that parts of TLJ do feel like they have the weight to measure up to the original films but that these elements don't get enough focus or commited to fully and ultimately it doesn't actually move the plot forward much, at least in terms of the positions of its lead characters.
You were speaking about moving the plot forward, not whether or not the characters' internal lives are more interesting to you.
The thing is, the events in TLJ do set the stage for new plot developments.
Consider the fact that Rey is now recognized as a Jedi, who is also in possession of the Jedi texts. Well that means she could now potentially establish a new Jedi order which has HUGE plot ramifications. Because of that series of events in TLJ, things can now happen in Ep IX that could not happen before.
Or consider that Kylo has killed Snoke and is now in full control of the First Order. Again, that means a lot in terms of where the story goes from here. No longer is he some young apprentice under another's control; he is now the Supreme Leader.
I'll agree with Finn though. Finn is just Finn. I think he's more of a . . . I dunno, sidekick character doesn't seem like the right description, but he's not a leader like Rey and Poe are.
