Mako's Behavior is Inexcusable

Wow, that title was very satisfying for me to type.  Because it's true.

This post is pretty anti-Mako, and anti-Makorra as well.  You have been warned.

One of the things I dislike about book 2 is Mako and Bolin's behavior towards women.  Bolin was pretty unlikable for a while (it pains me to say that, because I love his character in the other books).  He was always pressuring Ginger, the actress he worked with, to enter a real life relationship with him.  He kept confusing the romance between them in fiction with real life, and he wouldn't respect that she didn't want to be in a relationship with him.  But none of the stuff Bolin has ever done is half as bad as the stuff Mako's done.

Where do I even begin.

Well, to make a long story short, Mako switched from one woman to the other all throughout book 1 and 2.  In book 1, he went out with Asami.  Then he started going out with Korra.  And in book 2, he broke up with Korra.  And then he was back to Asami again.

He just can't make up his mind.  He treats both Korra and Asami like objects.  Like a two year old that can't decide which toy they want to play with.  In one scene, he treats Asami like a distraction, something that could be put to his use, rather than a person.  He even says:  "Maybe I do need to get my mind off things."

Yuck.

Thankfully, Mako stopped being in a relationship with anyone in book 3 and 4.  I was relieved about that, because his character is so much better when he's not in a relationship.  In conclusion, he just was not ready or mature enough to enter into a relationship with anyone.

Another thing that irks me about Mako, is that he never really takes responsibility for his actions.  He never actually apologizes.

In this scene, he says, "I'm sorry things got so messed up between us."  That is not taking ownership of whatever you've done.  He said he's sorry "things" got "messed up", that something bad happened between them.  But he doesn't say that he is the cause of what happened, and that he is the reason their relationship fell apart.  He never says I'm sorry.  It's like throwing a dish against a wall and saying, "I'm sorry the dish broke," rather than saying "I'm sorry I broke the dish."  In other words, what he said is almost as bad as saying "I'm sorry you got hurt," rather than taking responsibility and saying "I'm sorry I hurt you."

This scene has always bothered me.

Another thing.

I understand why Makorra shippers are upset that Mako and Korra didn't end up together.  But they keep saying things like, "Mako deserved so much more."  Deserved what?  He's not entitled to anything.  The fact that he didn't end up with Korra doesn't mean he lost to anything.  Korra's not a prize to be won (haha, I threw a Disney quote in there).  I am personally very happy with how Mako and Korra's relationship ended.  They respect each other and will continue to inspire each other.

"I've got your back, and I always will."

I really like this quote from Hayao Miyazaki:

"I've become skeptical of the unwritten rule that just because a boy and girl appear in the same feature, a romance must ensue.  Rather, I want to portray a slightly different relationship, one where the two mutually inspire each other to live - if I'm able to, then perhaps I'll be closer to portraying a true expression of love."

I feel that quote expresses how I feel about male and female relationships in fiction.  I wish more relationships between a boy and girl could be non-romantic.

Wow, it felt great to get this off my chest.  All of this has been bothering me for a while.  I might rant about Mako again sometime.  It's a good way to relieve stress.