A simple way to override the ESP is to hold either of the CWS (control wheel steering) or the Autopilot Off button on the control column.
Agreed. But, if you are unaware that the system is in operation, doing so might be a delayed secondary pilot action. During my second test flight stall, I figured this out for myself, and did exactly that as I was recovering the stall. The problem for me at the moment was that I had entered the power off stall deliberately with full nose up trim. ESP rolled it to full nose down, which action I then terminated by holding the CWS switch. that left me recovering the stall with full nose down trim, which I had to hand roll off during the stall recovery. It worked, it was just really messy. Close to the ground would have been scary.
I don't object to the ESP system, my greater concern would be pilots flying a so equipped airplane without knowing it's there at all (as I did, and the fatal Caravan crew may have done), and them not entirely understanding it's ins and outs. The more advanced automation requires more pilot knowledge. I note with some concern that the total number of pages for the pilot information for these Garmin systems in the 182 exceeds the total number of pages in the ground school texts. If a new pilot just got through ground school, and is put into a so equipped airplane, are they likely to devote the proper learning to such a complex system? Instructors will have to mentor this - as long as
they understand, and know how the airplane is equipped!