That’s a good breakdown of the dilemma. Fortunately a version of LOE exists with both endings. However, you’re right that the overall edit of Ep3 was crafted with that end in mind.
OMG, I didn’t even notice there was a LOE ‘Alternate Ending’ version!
frenetically clicks on the download context menu line
has to wait for hours for the zip
Screams ‘NOOOOOOOOO!’
^^