[tanknetter]

Why would they care about Luke’s severed hand from Empire? Did he get his other hand chopped off after Return of the Jedi for some reason?

It's allegedly holding his (Annakin's) old lightsaber. Which the two new protagonists recognize as a priceless historic artifact and set off on a quest to return to its owner.

I doubt this is the plot. I mean, not only is it filled with scientific nonsense (the hand/lightsaber getting from Cloud City to deep space, then surviving reentry onto the desert planet where its found), but also storyline nonsense (Luke just up and abandoning his good friends and new-found sister after Jedi and disappearing for 30 years).

However if it IS the plot ... well, I guess it'll end up making Eps 1-3 look very, very good by comparison.

[Greetings_Puny_Humans]

However if it IS the plot ... well, I guess it'll end up making Eps 1-3 look very, very good by comparison.

Ah man, if it really turns out to be the plot, even Jar Jar Binks would look good compared to this steaming pile of you know what.