it’s a sliding scale; and where you fall on it has at least as much to do with the situation you’re in than who you are intrinsically.

True! And I think you could easily argue that Zhao Yunlan is a little affected: he shouts at Minister Gao! And it's not like Lin Jing isn't being real with the SID at the same time as spying on them. Yeah.

My favourite part of this episode is the fact that while everyone is increasingly off the rails, Shen Wei remains totally impassive. Just stone-faced in the background.

LOLOL! Such a good point. That's awesome!