I agree.
I actually prefer this version over some of the more elaborate, glamorous or contrived possibilities.
As someone approaches death (whether it be from trauma, sepsis or cancer) they (usually) achieve peace with death and accept their final rest. Unquestionably Colsen already went through that process. Remember in an earlier episode where he reassures the doomed fireman that it (the afterlife) "is beautiful?" Evidently Colsen had already passed to the light.
For that reason alone, the process of wresting Colsen from death remains ethically and morally disturbing. The fact that he had to sustain countless hours (days) of untried invasive procedures while fully conscious makes it even more tragic. I can't imagine a worse nightmare than undergoing even a single surgical procedure paralyzed without sedation or anesthesia. Colsen went through what seemed like multiple procedures without his consent and against his will, completely helpless, in hours of unimaginable pain begging for death the entire time.
In medicine (in the United States) it's a prime directive to allow patients the autonomy to make an informed decision whether or not to permit excessive life-staining procedures. Colsen's wishes were clear and his autonomy was clearly violated. Additionally the degree of suffering inflicted on him throughout the process is another disregard for medical ethics and for basic common morality. It's no wonder the surgeon (Ron Glass) was so disturbed.
Colsen in Asgard would have been the very definition of Deus Ex Machina ... arguably it could have been literal Deus Ex Machina, if you think about it.
Colsen as a LMD would feel unsatisfying on many levels.
This version is certainly the most poignant version of events. It also has us start to question the nature of Col. Nick Fury's moral compass.
I think it works.
