Where it really gets contentious is when the lawyer instructs the witness not to answer questions for inappropriate reasons. Unless you have a judge you can call for a quick ruling, lots of time and money is wasted in legal fees with a jerk like the one you had to deal with.
At this point I go to every deposition assuming the other lawyer is going to be like that. I could let you know the first time I'm disappointed, but I might advise buying a lottery ticket. Your odds might be better.
Unfortunately the more money at stake, the more they seem to go that direction.
patent