All right -- thanks to this series I have expanded a previously underwhelming scene by several minutes, and in those minutes I discovered a hidden treasure trove of subtext and setups/payoffs. I'm absolutely giddy over it. Thank you.

Glad to hear. I need to remember that sometimes, the most obvious aspects of screenwriting - like set pieces - are often subjects we need to discuss from time to time.

Scott - do we marry all of these elements -emotional meaning, high stakes, spin the plot and complications - in the same set piece?? I'm thinking emotional meaning is the one that is absolutely essential. The others might appear depending on where we are in the plot.