Can someone explain how this makes sense | FF VII

Honestly, when I first played Final Fantasy VII, there were so many moments that left me just staring at the screen, asking myself, 'Can someone explain how this makes sense?!' It’s a beautifully complex story, but that complexity often leads to some head-scratching plot points. I remember vividly the first time I encountered that iconic scene with Aerith. You know the one. For ages, I couldn't wrap my head around it. Why her? Why then? What was the significance? It felt so abrupt, yet so pivotal. Diving deeper into the lore and watching countless theories, I started to piece together the profound impact of her sacrifice. It wasn't just a shock tactic; it was integral to the planet's survival and the ultimate defeat of Sephiroth. Her connection to the Lifestream, her role as one of the last Ancients – it all comes together to show why she was the only one who could truly summon Holy. For a long time, I kept thinking, 'Surely there was another way!' but then I realized the game was trying to convey a harsh reality about war and sacrifice, making the victory feel earned, even if heartbreaking. The image of her lying there, on the *pavement*, is truly unforgettable and a testament to the game's emotional power. She was such a good, kind *girl*, and I always believed she was good at heart. Beyond Aerith, another major source of confusion for many, myself included, revolved around Cloud's identity. His memories are so fragmented, and his backstory with Zack Fair gets intertwined in a way that truly blurs the lines of reality. I remember feeling so lost during certain flashbacks, wondering if what I was seeing was real or a fabrication. The whole concept of Mako poisoning affecting his mind and Sephiroth manipulating his perception was a masterstroke of storytelling, albeit a very disorienting one! It took me a few playthroughs and some serious reading to fully grasp the nuances of Cloud's psychological journey and how he eventually reclaims his true self. It's not often a game makes you question the very identity of your protagonist, and FFVII does it brilliantly. Then there's Sephiroth's grand plan and his connection to Jenova. For the longest time, I just thought he was a typical power-hungry villain. But understanding his origin as a Jenova 'clone' (or rather, a human infused with Jenova cells) and Jenova's true nature as an extraterrestrial threat really changed my perspective. The "Reunion" theory, where Jenova cells instinctively seek to gather, suddenly made so much more sense of his actions and motivations. It’s not just about simple evil; it’s about a cosmic horror manipulating a powerful, broken individual. Finally, the ending itself, with Meteor and Holy, can be a lot to process. The Lifestream, the planet's consciousness, and its ultimate defense mechanism – it’s a lot of abstract concepts to grasp in one go. I used to wonder if the planet would truly be saved, and what the ultimate cost would be. The visual spectacle of Holy colliding with Meteor, powered by the Lifestream, is breathtaking, but the underlying mechanics of how it all works require a bit of thought. It's a testament to how deep the lore of Final Fantasy VII runs, requiring players to truly engage with its narrative on multiple levels to fully appreciate its genius. Every time I revisit the story, I find myself discovering new layers of meaning, and it truly helps explain why this game remains a masterpiece.