You'll all forgive me for being a bit meta first thing in the morning, but if there's one thing that leads me to believe the LTD is
actually over (for most people) it's the fact that only one side are actively discussing it with any depth or contextual analysis.
Flipping through that old, yet still remarkably fresh, article by
@Ryushikaze had me thinking about how different things are now than then.
Back then we had clear divisions between the sides and reasonably well articulated discussions and arguments for both. A neutral commentator may well have found validity to the claim that there was, at least at some stage of FF7, reason to believe both CT and CA were acceptable reads of the story.
The Compilation came along and introduced a lot more nuance, more depth and exposition to the game in general, so obviously the LTD was affected. And by affected, I mean, it started off what would be the beginning of a more defensive foot for Cleriths.
Inconsistencies in their understanding of events, punctuated by Cloud seemingly moving on with Tifa and Aerith the same with Zack - rather than Cloud "meeting her there" and Zack being given the cold shoulder ala Maiden - would start the ball rolling on what would be an avalanche of evidence that CA was not the direction the devs wanted the franchise to head in and, more damningly, never was.
This has led to years of Clerith talking points being almost entirely centred around attacking Tifa and Zack. Rather than be able to celebrate what their ship has, they start from a position where it's already two goals down and needs to make up ground but ultimately never does.
Fast forward to the Trilogy, and now particularly Rebirth, and this is all that appears to me to be left. Rebirth came along and introduced a plethora of issues that keep CA from even getting off the ground. For those who continue to vocally support the ship the vast majority of their discourse is taken over by putting out the fires.
Part 2 has established that Aerith loves Zack yet still. For anyone who had been paying any kind of attention, this much was long since obvious. She asks for him at every occasion, continues to wear pink to fulfil her promise for their next meeting, ties his bow in her hair every morning and more.
In Rebirth though, an erstwhile Aerith manages to stumble across Zack's house almost as soon as the party arrives in Gongaga to ask after him. Is this the action of someone who has moved on? If you thought perhaps so, then she herself confirms to the player and Cloud himself the opposite. When asked she, in full honesty, confesses she still loves Zack. I prefer the "show" approach that the devs employed for this element of her character before, but if not enough people were getting it then the "tell" sledgehammer inevitably swings.
Meanwhile, Cloud himself connects with Tifa on a level that would have been unthinkable at this stage of the game back in OG. The nearly kiss in Gongaga, the actual kiss in the Gold Saucer, the fact the entire party seems to be aware of their feelings for each other - a source of predictable teasing for Yuffie especially - and much more.
That this all happens to a backdrop of Cloud remembering Zack and, pivotally, that
Zack loves Aerith, is no coincidence. Cloud's coldness to Aerith isn't some cute shy thing, it's his honour and respect for the man who was both his hero and friend that demands he stay at arms' length. The promise to end ambiguity is being fulfilled.
All those fires and more needed to be put out, but since release it's spread at an increasing rate, with the Ultimania throwing a petrol bomb on it. No Promises to Keep confirmed not once, nor twice, but three times to not be a love ballad about Cloud. Aerith in the Sector 5 Dream Date confirmed not to even be our Aerith at all. The Gold Saucer dates, now seen as separate vehicle for viewing Cloud's interactions with each party member, being the nail in the coffin - Tifa's date is no more "not canon" than any of them and they all, in their own way, stand on their own.
All this and more has led to a scenario in which I don't think your average Clerith has much of, if any, tremendous insight to add the debate. There's exceptions, but by and large the ship is so overburdened with the weight of evidence against it that it can't move, stranded at sea, stuck perennially in the same spot saying the same things.
The lack of engagement from the other side, too busy now putting out fires to start any, has created something of an echochamber here which is unfortunate. I think we'd all value respectful comments to the contrary and, as a neutral ground, the atmosphere would be ideal for it. Unfortunately I just don't think there's much of great worth to add other than perhaps spread FUD that, somehow, in some way, part 3 will change track.
Indeed, that seems to be the entirety of the argument in favour of CA right now - things
might change direction in part 3. That's not impossible, nor unthinkable, but it doesn't seem likely if one is to consider the Trilogy as a cohesive whole, a narrative forged as a labour of love and testament to this fantastic franchise. All signs point to a Zerith reunion and a Cloti reinforcement come part 3, the only negative is the wait.
