I think this is a slow approach to the heat incoming. Messing with people in a way that could affect them outside of the tank is part of the late-season psyops. Uncomfortable to watch but debatably a good way to kick off the final act. Drake's mental has fortified so hard in the last couple days that they have to resort to stuff like this to try to break him.
Anyway, I'm very interested to see how they plan to end this though. Looking at the rest of the seasons, they all definitely did their own thing. No clue what they want for this one.
S1 - Gaslight fakeout after a Cell challenge, scripted but sincere in emotional weight. Hilarously ripped from Willy Wonka
S2 - Dark and heavily themed, boxing challenge, probably not scripted, somewhat cinematic
S3 - Scuffed so it's hard to say the original intent. Golden Burt, road trip, heavily scripted Burt in the desert. Highly cinematic
My guess is an extension of the Landon's elimination. Some other kind of semi-scripted close call situation after a series of very difficult challenges. Less reliant on composed visuals and leaning on organic reactions. Probably less dark and more uplifting. More Jet's style. I'll miss Sam's visual eye and direction (excluding TJ) and but I think it will still be good.