Every Makorra moment since the Kiss has been undermined by someone else’s pain. Mako has been called out on his jerkbending several times. Asami is a sympathetic, likable character rather than a flat, bitchy obstacle to Makorran bliss. We are meant to sympathize with her.
The show knows that Mako is a jerk. It goes to great lengths to showcase Mako at his worst. It simply isn’t necessary for us all to bash the character for not being a good boyfriend; the story doesn’t want him to be one right now.
The story has plans for Mako-the-jerk. That is the only explanation for such self-awareness in a damning portrayal of the romantic lead’s flaws.
I expect Mako to crash and burn in the season finale. His major conflict is not, as some have claimed, “which girl do I stick it in,” but rather “why do I keep hurting the people I love, and how do I stop?” Mama Mako is a provider, a protector. And right now, the people he cares about have all been emotionally wounded by him. When he realizes this, well, the biggest Mako-hater will be Mako himself.
All I’m saying is there’s no need to call the show out on something it’s doing on purpose, most likely to set up an epic redemption arc come season two.