Exactly. There are a lot of outcomes because of that. Sometimes the payoff comes later. Other times it really gives a chance for the scene to breath and characters to develop (like the scene b/w DiCaprio and the little girl). Also, it helps build the suspense, like when Cliff visits the ranch and characters you think are one way in just a few seconds change into something else.
And there was Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee, at his most philosophical cockiness, was excellent .