There was also a scheduled E branch closure
north of East Somerville in
January 2023 (i.e. trains from downtown Boston to East Somerville, shuttle buses to Medford/Tufts). Not exactly what's being discussed here, but I have to assume that if scheduled short-turns can be used in one direction, they can be used in the other.
Plus, running trains north of East Somerville to Medford/Tufts significantly simplifies shuttle bus operations, beyond just needing fewer buses. You can run a single route from Union Square inbound, with an intermediate stop at East Somerville for E branch riders.
That's why I feel there has to be some work north of East Somerville to be done.