[DD Spoilers] Does anyone “get” the ending…

OK, obviously this is one of the greatest movies ever made, and incredibly deep. I’m curious whether someone feels they understand the ending as it was intended.

I think the ranch is real, but after the end I’m not entirely sure if either of his visits before the end were. I thought it was pretty clear that his girlfriend had died, and that he had a real memory of her wearing that hat at the ranch… until he said that they were needed again to save the world, then it appeared she was just wounded and completely recovered.

Don’t get me started on the Senator who is also running for office. That’s another can of worms.