Top Gun: Is Maverick Actually...In Purgatory?

Okay, hear me out, people. I know Top Gun is usually just seen as a cheesy, 80s action flick (which, let's be real, it is). But I've been rewatching it recently, and something struck me – what if Maverick is actually in some kind of fighter pilot purgatory after Goose dies? Think about it: everything leading up to Goose's death feels pretty grounded. There's tension, competition, and the realities of high-stakes training. But after Goose dies, things take a weird turn. Maverick's guilt becomes almost paralyzing, he struggles to trust himself, and then...suddenly, he's back in the air, facing his fears, and becoming the hero? It feels a little too convenient, right? Like he’s getting a chance to 'earn' his way out of something. And what about Charlie? She just disappears! Was she even...real? Or just a manifestation of what Maverick thought he deserved? And Iceman, who’s painted as this rival, suddenly becomes his biggest supporter at the end. It’s like everyone is playing a part in his redemption arc. I know, I know, it's a stretch. But the film does have this dreamlike quality, especially after Goose is gone. Maybe I'm just reading too much into it because I'm avoiding doing laundry, lol. What do you guys think? Am I totally off-base, or is there something to my theory?