So, I (finally) finished MEA...

Maybe it is because I played all Mass Effect games in 2016-2017 with the Dragon Age in between, with about the same # of replays for each (2) of the same game that they fall into three categories for me:

Decent, but show its age and older gaming mechanics: DAO and ME1 (6 to 7 scores)
Had lots of fun & played in one breath, lots of feels: DA2, ME2/3 and MEA (8 to 10 scores)
I paid for it, so might as well finish it: Inquisition (5 score)

I for the life of mine do not see the whole "drop" in the quality of writing, because tbh any dialogue in any of those games would not have been out of place in another except the sudden introduction of copious swearing from ME3 onwards.  With a notable exception of Mordin, Tali (in ME3), Anders, Dorian and Liam, the character characterization is rather light and depends on your personal tastes.

The only game that had a plot that stood out from seven was DA2. The rest were similarly conceived and executed as epic saga standard edition.

Sometime I wonder if the folks are just tired of what they've loved too much. It's like me trying to play Baldur's Gate 3 were it released tomorrow in FB.

Yeah, I finished it quite recently too (with only 3 more trophies from a plat!) but, unlike other Bioware games that I have played, I kinda have zero intent of replaying it... I would lie to say that I did not kinda enjoy the time I've given it, it's just that they're wholly.... standard and failed to make any sort of significant impression in me.

I for the life of mine do not see the whole "drop" in the quality of writing, because tbh any dialogue in any of those games would not have been out of place in another except the sudden introduction of copious swearing from ME3 onwards.  

People tend to view expectations differently. For me, and I think the OP, generally speaking in school and academia a 7-7.9 tends to be 'average' and everything below that starts becoming a failure and even worse, down to the completely broken.  For me very few games I have played, in fact just one pretty much, I would rate below a 5. 

Temple of Elemental Evil is actually pretty good...dare I say better than Icewind Dale.

 I remember David Odgen Stiers of MASH fame

If you want to say there are no memorable moments, yes, you're right. But comparing the issue to ME3 when everything is supposed to be resolved, seems a bit unfair.