Not only does the whole concept of “Phase Two” give Scorch Trials the book clarity and structure, but it also gives what’s happening to the Gladers meaning. He tells them exactly what they need to do to complete them and, boom, they’re off. In the book, Rat Man explains that the Scorch is Phase Two of the Trials. There are certain story elements that were cut from the film that I miss simply because I liked them, but the omission of the whole concept of “Phase Two” is a nearly devastating adaptation flaw. In the movie, that isn’t always clear and their journey can feel a bit arbitrary and directionless. Before they begin their journey in the book, “Rat Man” very clearly specifies the details of their mission so whether they’re being attacked by Cranks or running for their lives in a storm, you always know where they’re going and what they’re fighting for. This also sparks some serious structural issues. aren’t racing for their lives to get the cure.
The movie is an action-packed thrill, but it doesn’t have the same sense of urgency as the book because Thomas and co. In the book, before the Gladers head out into the Scorch, “Rat Man” (Janson in the movie) warns them that they’ve been infected with The Flare and that the only way for them to secure the cure is by completing Phase 2 and making it to the safe haven. Yes, I would have liked to see what happened to Jack simply because the scene plays so well in the promos, but by cutting out his big moment, Winston’s demise becomes far more meaningful. There’s more than enough going on in The Scorch Trials, so it was a smart move to keep the focus on fewer Gladers. The tasty meal scene is nowhere to be found and neither is that guy standing behind Teresa on the far left either. On top of that, if you caught one of the first images ever released from The Scorch Trials, there’s another Glader who never made it into the final film at all. I’m not sure if that’s Jack that gets knocked over the edge after some Cranks come crashing through the glass, but that’s definitely him hanging on for dear life in the subsequent shot.
Jack is basically the equivalent of a prop because it looks as though his death scene never made it into the final cut. There’s Thomas, Minho ( Ki Hong Lee), Newt ( Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Frypan ( Dexter Darden), Winston ( Alexander Flores), Teresa and Jack ( Bryce Romero). We knew we were getting less Gladers in the sequel because so few made it out of the Maze in the first movie.