It's kinda odd - on the one hand he's no long all cold and unreadable this season, and actually shows some sign of still having morals and a conscience (if paired with ulterior motives) but on the other hand he seems to have lost his angsting about the evils he does judge necessary.

I think it's deliberate: showing us he has, actually, become a competent villain, but one who is charismatic enough that we still like him (hence the lack of coldness).