[matplotlib-devel] pyplot commands appear to ignore interactive status

using a recent svn (r8900), I've noticed that after starting from a 
regular python shell:

 >>> import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 >>> plt.isinteractive()
False
 >>> plt.plot([1,2,3],[1,3,2])
[<matplotlib.lines.Line2D object at 0x114e7a090>]
 >>> plt.plot([1,2,3],[1,2,3])
[<matplotlib.lines.Line2D object at 0x114e7a590>]
# plt.draw() is not required, the figure pops up
# and both plots are shown
 >>> plt.xlim(1,2)
(1, 2)
# again this works immediately no draw() required
 >>> plt.xlabel('aaa')
<matplotlib.text.Text object at 0x1033a2290>
# ditto, no draw() required

but if the axes methods are used, then interactive status is honored:

 >>> plt.gca().set_xlabel('bbb')
<matplotlib.text.Text object at 0x1033a2290>
 >>> plt.gca().plot([1,2,3],[3,2,1])
[<matplotlib.lines.Line2D object at 0x114e7cf90>]
 >>> plt.gca().set_xlim(1,3)
(1, 3)
# all these require a plt.draw() to show up...

I think that this is a misfeature, but maybe this is desired behavior?

M