Did some testing, and from what I can tell, an ad/script blocker removes the actual video ad (and afaik all other ads), but leaves a blank space below recommended video like Gordon said. Confirmed on Firefox, Chrome and Edge using uBlock Origin (Lite for Chrome). Mobile is out of luck tho, unless you one of those adblocker browers to browse, but I don't know if those are any good.
I think I don't get any ads when logged in, even without blockers, is because, even tho Escapist+ is defunct, I still have that status.