Yep, it's a performance both sides benefit from endlessly echoed going sthg like: "You make like you're asking me complex and challenging Qs that push me to the edge of my comfort zone, I'll respond with hard answers that also reveal my human side, and we both exude seriousness about the topic and ram home the establishment line on it, with mutual respect and admiration for a hard-fought exchange that we've all advanced from."