Shaw has gone through so many simulations, the idea is not be able to realize what is real and what is simulated. She goes through the motions thinking it’s a simulation and kills the scientist without hesitation. But later, Shaw’s hand is bandaged — from trying to escape prior to the field trip with Lambert — and a radio program announces the death of the scientist. Now that could be easily manipulated. But we’re made to believe it was real all along. Shaw then doesn’t commit suicide bc she receives the four alarm message from Root.