Basically we are told that all happens. So it is not required, which I agree with Snoop Dogg about.
My point is that the story lacks excitement because we are given a beginning and end in each of these subplots but nothing else. Maybe that makes the tie-ins important? I don't know about that, really I think the story could just avoid pointing out those things are happening and just give a little more emphasis on the things that are happening here.