takata, thanks for that. If the PNF was on the controls at that point, this has me very puzzled.
(IIRC, PNF was senior man in the cockpit before captain returned).
If you have to come onto the controls, to correct a flying issue by the other pilot, the standard CRM I am familiar with is that you make a control change (you take controls) and you fly until it's right.
Not sure what one would find in Air France SOP in that situation.
I just had a weird thought:
The PNF was wondering "why is captain not back in the cockpit?" at some point. Perhaps, on his way back to his rest station, he had to visit the lavatory, and when the recall came he was finishing up the business, or in the middle of it. This might explain "delay in response" that had the PNF concerned ...