Sure, it looks bad.
But what did we actually see? What evidence do we have either way?
Also, I'd argue that the mothers "testimony" is hardly trustworthy. She clearly has several agenda's, both against her ex and in a way against Ellie as well.
What I do find interesting is that even a 16-year old Ellie still feels that her dad should have continued with his "special backrubs" (which he apparently stopped giving when she was 12) even though she would be old enough to know better by then.
KKonaBROthere "playing Devil's advocate" means that I am going out of my way to defend a position (that is, a way of looking at a situation) which may be unlikely or unpopular but still possible. It means that I may not actually believe in this position but I think it warrants further investigation / discussion.