That's right. The idea of "bad" and "good" paths for companions is presented, that they have to learn something. Only they all choose their "good" paths themselves perfectly well, and without violence from Tav, and are happy with it. Well, Will doesn't choose, but he's also ultimately happy with everything, if you untie him from Mizora and save his father. Only Astarion is "a cute little puppy and just confused". Only he needs to be argued with, manipulated, "helped" to stay a spawn forever. I'm not going to force anyone to rethink anything.
I am not sure if you forgot about him or just didn't know, but romanced Gale most definitely wants to take the Crown for himself and the PC, and if you don't envision a future of godhood for the two of you, you have to talk him out of it. If you first edge him on an then change your mind and try to talk him out of it at the dock (which unintentionally happens to quite a few players btw) he will dump you. It's basically everything the video and yesterday's quote talk about, just handled really well. - Which is probably why people get into less fights about their preferred endings for him than in Astarion's case.
Also Gandrel is nothing but polite to the player group, even when Astarion is an absolute rude ass to him.
I didn't romance Gale but when I told him to do what he wanted at the dock he picked the crown. Astarion thought that was very funny. Said something like, "I swear, now that I've ascended, everyone's trying to do it!"
Also, I, and my Tav, liked Gandrel just fine. Ulma's the one we had a problem with in the confrontation after ascension. But Gandrel was there! If he'd been allowed to speak and make a more compelling case, maybe things would have turned out differently.
