I completely agree making the pregnancy a flashback or some sort of symbolic representation would be a
terrible idea. Beyond being confusing as hell, it would be a complete bait and switch that will kill enthusiasm for any future, legitimate twists DPC might have planned.
Granted, this wouldn't be the first terrible idea DPC has put in a game so I don't think we can completely rule it out. But I see no reason to resort to such a poor theory until all other theories have been exhausted. Tight now there are a lot of alternative theories that are both more plausible and, frankly, more interesting.
Good news, everyone! At the rate we're going, it will take
at least 4 years to finish 8 more episodes!
I agree the Crossroads is quite clunky if you've only been pursuing one branch. But I didn't find it much better on multiple branches, either, because it's not a natural progression of the various stories. It's a blatant game mechanic designed to get us from the inputs to the outputs in a single scene because DPC thinks having everything happen at once makes it more dramatic (and saves time writing).
DPC should have spent less time this season on @#$%@#$ Madame Rose and more time weaving the LIs' stories into an actual Crossroads. Or ditched the single crossroads and given each branch a separate decision point, then had the MC take stock after the fact. (And still cut Madame Rose too, obviously.)
Honestly, there wasn't much change this time. Technically I guess Jill had the biggest win, but that's only because the wretched blackmail subplot had turned her into a complete moron. Jill didn't really fix the problems that plot caused, but at least it's over.
Other than that? Lily is a little more appealing after seeing her bristle when the MC appeared to judge her. I guess Sage dropped a bit since her content was very thin and her friendship path worked so much more naturally. And Cathy was completely MIA after being a virtual cypher for the last 2 episodes, which sucked but isn't really a reflection on the character...