Yes, I heard the same tidbit just before the commercial break. Though we now appreciate the flashback scenes immensely, I remember being a bit confused by them too when first watching the film.

I guess we just have to imagine how at the time, an overabundance of the flashback scenes might not have been received well by preview audiences.

All I can say is, thank GOD for The Saga ... while also admitting that the latter day Don Michael sequence suffers greatly without the flashback scenes of his father's humble beginnings and rise to power.

Apple