I thinks it quite obviouse he didn't freeze, and i think the media and public in general were surprised that F/O was flying at all, it should be the Pilot flying not the Co Pilot!!
I myself am a FO on the A320/21 and am surprised when i pop back to use the facilities and get asked things like, "so, when do u finish your training? or how far away are u to becoming a Pilot? or hearing a little kid ask his dad, "is that a pilot?" to which dad replys "No, thats a Co Pilot"
It doesn't really matter all that much, but i dont think the public and media realise that Capt flies one sector and FO the other is the industry standard practice.