Well, you're right. There was nothing that actually tied this one to the last one for sure. It's not until the chase does it feel familiar. Also, I've never heard of a definitive answer to the question of just how much time had passed from the end of Road Warrior to the beginning of Thunderdome. The only thing that gives me (and anyone else that watches it somewhat of an answer) is at the very beginning when you see that Jedediah the Pilot has a son who looks to be 10-11 years old. But someone clear this up....why is it in Warrior his name is Gyro, but in this one it's Jedediah? I was always under the impression that it was the same character because near the end of the movie, when Max sees him for the first time, he is talking to him like he knows him from Warrior.