: And on the matter of the chief no longer having the literal last word, I
: think that's actually a good thing - we know the Chief doesn't/didn't talk
: too much, and being the character that we the players play, having him
: actually be the last -visible- character, in a very thoughtful
: composition, it does give him the last word - whatever we're thinking
: :).

Nicely put. I also don't mind the extra chatter about earth. It's small talk that would likely occur in the setting, and it does serve to reminds us of the largeness of this universe, while still acknowledging the importance of earth.