I feel it’s more of a, in control of the situation. Even a car going fast and blows a tire you may here “the driver maintained control”. So the “in control”, means they own the board. Like a chess board. The opponent may move here or there, but it’s covered. The enemy is still making moves tho.

As far as insulated…yea I feel it’s referring to protected, but that doesn’t always go 100%. Anything can happen. Moves and counter moves. The assassin attempt, imo, was sloppy. Obviously, because it wasn’t successful. So if a person is desperate, they make mistakes. But anyone can get lucky. I feel that is what this was, a hail Mary attempt. Failed. As they usually do. And honestly I don’t think it’s over. Desperation. Things get crazy the closer the edge of the cliff comes.