SLF here.
I've read and reread the CVR several times now. There are a couple of things that were occurring on the flight deck that I really do not understand.
On several occasions the PNF points out to PF that he is ascending and that he should push the nose down to enable a descent but to do so "gently!". PF then responds that he's descending. (PNF also points out the decaying forward speed of the aircraft to PF.) But PF really isn't descending as he's merely eased up the back pressure on the stick. PF then states "we're in a climb." At this point the PNF attempts to summon the Captain back to the flight desk.
After announcing that he no longer has control of the aircraft the PNF takes control and proceeds to pull back on the stick. Even after suggesting a descent - but "gently!" - to the PF.
ter PNF took control the PF took control back and the Captain appeared on the flight deck with the words "What the hell are you doing?"
PNF states "Climb... climb.... climb" to the PF whereupon, finally, PF states that he's had the stick back the entire time.
The captain then says "no... no... no. Don't climb. No... no... no"
After this seeming command PF continues pulling back on the stick anyway.
So, after having received several suggestions or seeming commands to put the nose down, PF continues pulling back anyway. This is a huge interconnect between what he's being told and what he's actually doing. Can it be that at this point in the situation the PF is actually in panic mode and is merely doing anything he can think of without forethought as to what it is he was actually doing? Similar to the flight or fight method of dealing with extreme/dangerous situations? It almost seems as if the PF has temporarily lost all semblance of situational awareness, including what is being suggested/commanded to him.