It'd be an easy way to keep the character around if Alex Kingston gets too busy/expensive, too.

Well, there'd be a little bit of cheating involved. Her brain patterns are saved in the computer, but her physical body is dead, just like Ms. Evangelista and the other members of the crew. Donna and the library patrons were easily saved because their physical forms were being saved by the transporter.

I thought that was resolved with Michael taking the blame publicly by making a statement to the press, which led to Jo bringing Holly back as a favor to him.

It was his reaction that got me: "Ouchie!"