Mass Effect 3's Ending - A Different Interpretation

Like many, I played through the Mass Effect series, and was beyond pumped for the third installment of the series. And like many, upon play through completion, I thought the game was excellent until the very end. And, what a bitter end it was. I could understand what all the rage was about. Plot holes were aplenty, and you were left with... well, very little, considering the massive scope of the series.

Well, I was recently scouring the internet for something, anything, that would justify the ending given to us, the sad disappointment to such a work of art. And, well, I found that justification. And it is beyond anything I could have asked for.

Fair warning: Massive spoilers ahead.

The Definitive Interpretation:

I was introduced to what is being referred to as the "Shepherd's Indoctrination" interpretation. The video below is all you really need as proof, though much more can be found with a simple Google search.

A Summary:

From the moment you step onto the Citadel at the end through the Deus Ex Machina moment that is inexplicable, everything is a dream. Shepherd is knocked unconscious by Harbinger while running at the beam, and which in a dream state is going through one final fight against Reaper Indoctrination. The three choices you're presented with at the end of the cut scene and dialogue aren't deciding the fate galaxy, or even the Reapers. They're deciding the fate of Shepherd's mind.

As you'll see, there are hints the entire game. Shepherd is slowly succumbing to Indoctrination. He's had as much or more contact with the Reapers as anyone else in the galaxy. It makes sense.

And if you choose wisely, and play through the third game wisely, you're given an image of Shepherd taking a breath at the end of the other cut scenes. He's buried amidst a significant amount of rubble. How can this be reconciled with the fiery explosions of the Citadel? Easy. As mentioned before, he was never on the citadel. He was unconscious in London. The true ending of the game has yet to be seen.

I'll leave the rest to the video. It very clearly and concisely makes the arguments for this interpretation. To the point that I don't even consider it a theory at this point. This is the true interpretation in my mind. Bioware tricked us. They tricked all of us. We were indoctrinated by the game. And this is one of the most epic and genius endings to a series I can imagine.