I see. Your objection is, more or less, the same main criticism that has long been levied against TFA: a retread story with a lack of originality.
I had thought you were suggesting that the ST was invalidating the ROTJ victory, as if the logical trajectory for their post-ROTJ lives would've been a lasting galactic peace without anyone trying to fill the void left by the Empire's defeat. That's what had me scratching my head; to me, it only makes sense that someone would've tried to capitalize on the Empire's remnant war machine and structure. And obviously with similar imperial ambitions.
The criticism of lack of originality is one that I can totally understand, though. The problem for me is that this is Star *Wars* we're supposed to be watching. And if we're going to have wars in the stars, I wouldn't expect them to be all that different in nature when set merely 30 years apart. Rebels versus oppressors. X-Wings versus TIE Fighters (or similar combat spacecraft). Giant weapons to serve as proof of power (and as deterrent to opposition). All much like our wars here in our reality, using similar methodology generation after generation.
I think any plot that would stray too far from the established OT and PT nature of how these star wars play out would risk seeming too small in scope, and not epic enough to fit the saga. Then again, I don't agree with objections to the Rocky sequels continuing to put an aging (and even elderly
) Rocky in (or around) a boxing ring. I mean, what else would I expect from a Rocky sequel? A game of chess? International espionage?
But I don't want to obscure your point. I can understand and appreciate your objection. And again, thank you for clarifying.
I have a much better sense now for what you resent about the ST. For me, I'm just glad to get this farewell tour from the old crew set against the backdrop of decent stories and great production value. Retread setup? Yeah. Lazy? Yes, in part (but also by necessity). Implausible scenario, though? Nah. Actually a pretty logical extension.
The First Order isn't stronger than the Empire ever was. Far from it. The Empire controlled the entire galaxy, and even had the power to arbitrarily do away with the galactic Senate. The FO, by contrast, doesn't control anything right now. Planets aren't answering to the FO in either TFA or TLJ.
The scope of the First Order is nothing even close to the scope of the Empire. The FO is basically a well-funded terrorist organisation with fancy tech. But their leader (Snoke) had no actual authority in the galaxy.
In no way does the rise of the First Order turn the ROTJ victory into a meaningless "all for nothing" accomplishment. The Death Star, the Emperor, and Vader were finished off. The Empire was eventually dissolved, and the Republic was re-established. The new Republic had close to 30 years without Imperial oppression. What you're suggesting in your post is the same as saying that WWI (started in 1914) was made a waste of time because the victory by the Allied Powers was "all for nothing" since Germany was right back at it again in 1939 to force the Allies into fighting WWII.
Of all of the criticisms against the ST, this one is the most nonsensical, imo.