The only one I can kind of give a pass is Mako and Korra, just because they admitted to each other they wouldnāt work out because they butted heads so often. However, that doesnāt change how destructive the love triangle in season one was, and how unapologetic those two came off as. They never seemed genuinly sorry for what they did.
From The Spirit of Competition:
Korra: Bolin, Iām sorry I hurt your feelings. I didnāt mean to let things get so out of hand.
From Skeletons in The Closet:
Mako:Ā Asami, Iām sorry things got so messed up between us, but whatever happens today, I want you to know how much I care about you.
Rather than admitting what they did was wrong, they spin it around; Korra is sorry that his feelings got hurt, and Mako is āsorry things got so messed up between usā which sort of implies that both of them had a hand in the way their relationship derailed. Mako and Korra never apologize for going Asami and Bolinās backsā whilst dating/leading them on, they just feel bad because of the aftermath.Ā
Bolin and Eska was a complete trainwreck. Bolinās torment was played off as a joke. He was straight up terrified of Eska, and no one did more than give Bolin advice that only ever went as far asĀ āyou have to break up with herā.Ā
After escaping Eskaās clutches, Bolin pursues Ginger, who really doesnāt owe anything to him. Sheās an actress, sheās doing her job, sheās not obligated to pay him any attention off set. For the most part, sheās simply indifferent towards Bolin.
She only ever addresses him with contempt only after he takes advantage of her situation and forces a kiss on her. It wasnāt a fleeting kiss during a moment where they were both confused and hurt, where he immediately backed off when she pulled away, where he immediately berated himself withĀ āIām such an idiotā. She was tied down on set, he leaned down to kiss her, and he continued while she struggled underneath him.
It was unnerving. It was only made worse when he had the gall to go and hit on Ginger.Ā
Bolin: So ⦠that kiss. I liked it. And it seemed like you liked it too.
Ginger: Uch. Youāre confusing Ginger the actress with Ginger the character.
Bolin: Okay, okay, Iām sorry. Iām totally getting, like, a weird vibe from you right now. Itās like, a minute ago, when we were shooting, you were into me, but now youāre not.
Ginger: Thatās because Ginger loves Nuktuk, not Bolin. [Walks off in annoyance.]
Bolin: But Nuktuk is Bolin. Iām a hero. [Sighs.]
Is Bolin really that dense? Heās not five years old, heās sixteen.Ā
What really irritates me about Ginger and Bolinās relationship is that Ginger becomes interested in Bolin when he saves the President, and is noted as a hero. Not only is Ginger portrayed as a fame seeking, shallow person, but Bolin is thenĀ ārewardedā with her, rather than having been truly punished, or at least having learned what he did was unnacceptable. Even if their relationship was supposed to be comedic or some ⦠kind of commentary (?), it didnāt succeed at either the former or latter. It just came off as shallow.Ā
So, Bolin and the rest of the Krew join Korra in the season 2 finale. Eska captures Bolin and Mako. Then, Bolin breaks down and confesses his love to Eska.
Eska: No. Donāt listen to him. His words are poisoning your mind. [Bolin weeps bitterly.] Whatās with this outburst of emotion?
Bolin: [Weeping.] Iām sorry, I canāt help it. Itās just so sad that Iāll never be with you again.
Eska: What? Explain yourself further.
Bolin: Eska, Iāve always loved you. And I always wanted to be with you. But now that the world is ending, [Weeps.] Iām never gonna get that chance.
Eska: [Angrily.] We could have been together, but you left me at the altar.
Bolin: No, I was scared. I was scared of my true feelings for you. Gah, I should have never left you. Iām sorry. And Iām sorry that weāll never have the chance to rekindle the dying ember that was our love into a big fire of love flames.
As Bolin continues weeping, Mako looks on with unsure looks. Eska looks at Bolin with confusion before kissing him. The ice around the brothers melt. Eska stops kissing Bolin.
The viewer is left believing that Bolin confessed his love to Eska to free Mako and himself. Mako even comments on his performance,
Mako: Wow! That was the best acting Iāve ever seen. You completely fooled her.
Bolin: [Unsure.] Yeah right, huh. That was acting. [Wipes a tear.]
⦠and then we find out he was completely serious. Now this could have been ⦠believable as an attempt of a portrayal of an abusive relationship. Maybe they wanted to show how abuse victims can often blame themselves for the problems in a relationship and come crawling back to their partner. It was sloppy, insincere, and often made Bolin, the victim, the subject of abuse for the sake of comedy. But, we ended up getting this instead (which I canāt figure out if itās better or worse):
Bolin: So, I was thinking. Iām not really a fan of a long-distance relationship thing, [Korra walks off.] so how about you move to Republic City with me.
Eska: I do not think it will be possible.
Bolin: [Somewhat disappointed.] Okay. Desna can come too.
Eska: I will not be joining you, Bolin. Desna and I must return home.
Bolin: But you said-
Eska: Eternal darkness was upon us. I became caught up in the moment.
Bolin: [Sadly.] Yeah. I guess I did too.
Eska: [Walking toward Bolin.] But, you will always hold the special place in the organ that pumps my blood. I will remember you fondly. [Places her right hand to her heart, while smiling.] My turtle duck.
They share thisĀ ācuteā moment, and break up on good terms, because of Eskaās protests. Thatās insulting. Eska and Bolin isnāt a good portrayal of a bad relationship, itās a bad portrayal of a bad relationship trying to be a quirky relationship.