To me, Ellen's return really did improve the final season primarily because she was instantly back in "Ellen" mode from seasons 1 and 2. That's why I rate this one higher.
She was never a favorite of mine, but her presence did remind me of the far better early seasons. So little actual things happen throughout this season (with a few stellar exceptions like the mutiny) that it's really not the same show it was in seasons 1 and 2.
This season consists so much of people simply arguing and not much actually occurring. The reason I rate this episode higher is it really WORKS when Ellen is in those conversations. When Cavil goes off he just sounds like a crotchety old man griping. When Ellen just starts quietly talking, I still get nervous!
And there's particularly inane "stories" like Baltar's harem/followers. Could they really not give him something more interesting (and logical/plausible) to do?
She was never a favorite of mine, but her presence did remind me of the far better early seasons. So little actual things happen throughout this season (with a few stellar exceptions like the mutiny) that it's really not the same show it was in seasons 1 and 2.
This season consists so much of people simply arguing and not much actually occurring. The reason I rate this episode higher is it really WORKS when Ellen is in those conversations. When Cavil goes off he just sounds like a crotchety old man griping. When Ellen just starts quietly talking, I still get nervous!
And there's particularly inane "stories" like Baltar's harem/followers. Could they really not give him something more interesting (and logical/plausible) to do?