Quote Originally Posted by silentenigma View Post
In fact, a Jenova-Puppetmaster-esque interpretation is really the only one that does make sense, covering all the strange Jenova-Sephiroth parallels and appropriately conforming to the story's intricacies. The game tells us what happens to anyone with Jenova cells when they become weak or lose self-confidence. Why should Sephiroth be an exception? So with this interpretation, we have a solid explanation for Sephioroth's change in motivation without compromising the integrity of his characterization.
AND the game tell us that Sephiroth's will is practically unmatched, that he was the one responsible for the current Reunion(Hojo literally says that, at the Whirlwind-Maze), and that the clones are attending Sephiroth's call(they never mention Jenova's name or "Mother").
Not to mention the other clues like, Jenova allways being "The Dragon"(TV-Tropes reference here) for Sephiroth, it's headless body appearing as Sephiroth(and not herself) for some unnexplained(but obvious) reason, and etc.
So no, the Jenova-Puppetmaster-esque interpretation doesn't make any sense. It ignores important plot-points of the story, only to make Sephiroth look like a "Draco in Leather Pants" and make the fangirls happy, or to make him look like a pathetic mindless puppet and make his haters happy.

But I agree that Jenova has some influence on his actions, due to the strong connection between them.