I agree that I don't think Elliot knows about Martin and Padma. Could be wrong, but I suspect he's pumped because Padma's announced at work she's not leaving just yet. Whether he's reading something into that decision is another matter, but it very well could be.
If this is so, we've probably not seen the last of the Cringing Marten, but for different reasons.
Cringing Marten sounds like the name of a bird.
"The Cringing Marten is commonly found in the Northeastern United States. It is an onnivore, favouring a wide variety of foodstuffs. Its plumage is subdued, ranging from brown to a light blud grey."
Very funny, and gets my Internets. Still, the bird's name is spelled "Martin." A Cringing Marten is clearly a small carnivore, a new subspecies of this part of the Mustelinae family. So: "It is an omnivore, favouring a wide variety of foodstuffs: although it normaly feeds on squirrels, mice, rabbits, birds, fish, insects, and eggs, the Cringing Marten will also eat fruit and nuts when these are available, and is passingly fond of pancakes. Its colouring is subdued, ranging from brown to a light blud grey, often sporting odd markings in darker hues that some have humorously suggested appear to be slogans or the name of obscure musical collectives. The creature gets iys odd name from its non-aggressive tendencies, together with a decided predilection for moping."
I've often wondered why Jeph (or Veronica, if you prefer) named his lead character after a slightly overgrown weasel.