Remember, also, that the audience knows and sees all. The audience is on the edge of its seat. The story is over. Just like that. We must conclude the audience craves this suspense.
Storytellers use story tricks like the haystack and the lance obviously because they work.
Think of what happens during the haystack episode. The plot is not moved forward an inch. In fact, all dramatic action has stopped and cannot move forward until the scene has been played out. Also, the scene cannot be forced to play faster. Suspense is tempo, and the more delay the better.