Authenticity in the Politican

The characters in the show play-act versions of themselves on so many levels for different reasons. Two prime examples of characters play-acting versions of themselves are River and Payton. 

For starters, in the pilot episode, the viewers discover that Payton and River have a thing for each other and seem to like each other but Payton and River both have girlfriends that they do not seem all too interested in. They seem to hide the fact that they were ever together romantically and River runs against Payton for student body president. 

During the debate, River is asked a question about the diet of students at Saint Sebastian and he answers by saying "I mean ... yeah? no?" (10:27). Even though he is running to be student body president, River is still a charismatic jock and he has to act like one by seeming carefree about the entire debate. River play-acts the version of the cool guy who everybody likes. River plays a version of himself but he isn't really being himself, which may have contributed to the drastic decision he makes at the end of the pilot episode.  

Payton also play-acts different versions of himself when he needs to. For example, when he tries to convince Infinity to be his running mate he breaks down crying (57:04). After Infinity comforts him and she has agreed to be his running mate, he walks out the door and his emotion shifts instantly (57:32). Payton play-acts a version of himself that doesn't care what people think and it is because of this that he has to look for a running mate that makes him seem more authentic.

The characterization of the characters in the show seems to serve as a critique towards high schoolers in that they all have to act a certain way because without those key factors that distinguish and place them all in groups, who are they?