Seems like very little analysis and a lot of ranting in Gryder’s video. Does not seem like the sort of person who is comfortable with uncertainty of knowledge and conclusions.
I agree the pilot should have had a different and better plan.
OTOH, this whole turn back debate continues ad infinitum precisely because the real answer is “it depends” on a lot of factors. I suspect there may be some truth in generally discouraging the turn back given that people need to know what they are doing and have explicitly thought about altitudes and there is a strong natural desire to want to try and save the aircraft.
Gryder's analysis and reasoning for not doing the impossible turn has been covered in other videos by him, overall his reasoning is pretty sound IMO, but it is certainly a controversial subject. He also covers in other videos the reasons that pilots kill themselves and how he thinks we can do better, it's pretty compelling stuff. He's a showman, and some won't like him, he resorts to schtick sometimes, when he really doesn't need to. Some might enjoy that part, if not, just forward through it.
The bottom line is that most of we pilots think we are better sticks than we really are and it shows in the stats from these crashes. Losing a pilot and passenger is tragic, but losing a young kid and maiming his mother on the ground as they were minding their own business carrying on with their lives is beyond tragic. It is obviously very bad for general aviation.
In this situation, an engine out at low altitude during a climb, in this situation we need to be conservative in our actions, meaning get the airplane on the ground in the safest possible manner.
As soon as the engine in a single engine plane misbehaves to the point of power loss, the pilot should not even consider trying to save the airplane, but should focus on solely getting the airplane on the ground with no injuries to the occupants, and especially to innocents on the ground.
For me, I fly a plane with a chute, before I go, I recite the altitude where it is safe to pull. Below that altitude I'll find a place to put it down, within 20 or so degrees either side of the nose. From 600 to 2000 agl, that chute gets pulled immediately if the engine is gone. Above 2,000 agl I'll try to find a place to land, if nothing is doable, chute.
If the engine is still producing enough power to get at least level flight, I'm running it, I don't care if it sounds like bricks in a cement mixer, if it's making power, I'll turn toward an airport, maintain altitude or climb if it can, and get on the ground. Screw the airplane and engine, they can be replaced.
We all need to do better, Gryder's point is that this stuff starts and really ends with training. Working through this stuff, in a chair on your own, in the air and in the air with an instructor before it happens. A flight with an instructor every 2 years isn't enough.