In among all of its staple drama and pithy one-liners – "it's a metal f***ing spoon, man" – Married at First Sight UK just did something brilliant.
Ella had previously teased the "amazing" scene that would see her coming out to the rest of her cast mates during the season's first dinner party, but nothing could have quite prepared us for what an emotional and powerful moment of television it was going to be.
Looking every inch the TV icon in her safety-pinned Liz Hurley moment, Ella nervously stood up to address the group and share something very personal which she'd pre-written as a dinner speech.
"When I was born, I appeared very different to how I do today," she read.
"My mum gave birth to four boys – three brothers, and then me. My mum asked me when I was younger if I was gay, and I said: 'No mum, I am a woman.' She said: 'You want to be a girl?' I said: 'No, mum, I am a girl.'
"I've never questioned who I am. I've always known I'm Ella inside. We all have struggles in life. Most people just never have to question their identity or their gender."
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"I don't expect you guys to understand or get me," Ella continued. "All I ask is that you respect me and treat me as the person I am. I'm not ashamed to stand here as an openly transgender woman, where there's so much negative stigma about trans people.
"Now that my outside – and it's a very sexy outside – matches my inside, I stand in front of you all as an openly trans woman, but more importantly, I stand here as Ella and all I want to do is be seen and treated as the girl that I am, finally."
Married at First Sight UK had already made history by welcoming Ella to its casting process and adapting the format for her. But in making space for Ella to have this uninterrupted spotlight, to share her story in her own words, and on her terms, and on such a huge mainstream platform, cannot be underestimated – particularly in the current climate.
At a time when trans lives are being reduced to fodder for polarising television debate or political point-scoring, and misinformation is at a particular high, it was courageous of Ella to share her truth with a room full of strangers – and now, as the scenes air, with a nation watching at home.
What's more, Ella was met with unwavering acceptance and a show of support from her fellow brides and grooms, marking the show's effort to ensure an inclusive and safe environment for her while also showing what is possible to those tuning in from their sofas.
While reality television might be dismissed by some as 'fickle' or 'trashy' (and there's nothing wrong with a bit of trash), there's little doubt that it can help to shape the world view of the audiences who tune in in their droves.
All MAFS UK needed to do in this moment was hand Ella the mic and give a rarely-represented voice that platform. In doing so, the show led with empathy and understanding – something we see too little these days.
Married at First Sight UK airs on E4 in the UK. Married at First Sight Australia airs on Nine Network in Australia and E4 in the UK.
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TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
