Comparing the EPs to EPs, I will have to say TS3's EPs were more complete with gameplay and many more interactive objects for Sims. Supernatural is a good example. Though I think Vampires (GP) is the best vampires in the entire series, I think Supernatural proves you can flesh out fantasy characters in one EP and have more than one type without breaking a budget and includes a full new world.
Comparing Late Night to perhaps GT or CL or how many did we have to buy? I think it proves you can have a fully fleshed out EP like LN and not go bankrupt. I say that because some of the reasons we hear all the time is budget and expensive to animate and yada, yada, yada.
I think the two island EPs one in TS3 and one in TS4 proves more can actually be done in one EP than a tiny world, not even animated for more than one Sim in some cases of usable objects such as a boat, and still make money.
I think TS4 no longer has any excuses left for claiming it's the budget and time and or expensive. They made a billion. They may not put a billion back into their games, but EA really should stop milking.
Meant to add for the money I would have to say TS3's EPs, and it's not even my fav. and I had problems with the slow AI between Sims sometimes (designed that way) but it still proves loads of gameplay in an EP is possible.
No, I'm not happy about the direction for the last few EPs players feel like they got lectured instead of a pack to play, that's not good to lecture your customers. Sooner or later, it will turn around on them because people don't like lecturing in games. They play games to do what ever they can imagine within the realms of human nature and not feel they are being sold propaganda.