Mako is many things — a loving brother, the Avatar's boyfriend, of mixed bending heritage, but more than anything else, he holds one of the few working moral compasses in The Legend of Korra. His suspicions often turn out to be accurate, for instance, when he thinks that Varrick is behind an assassination attempt, or when trying to convince Bolin that Kuvira is a tyrant.
In several ways, Mako makes a spectacular side-kick for Korra: he's got the strength, the smarts, and the charm, but there have been occasions in which he has reached some rather idiotic choices/decisions. Here are ten of them.
10 Assumes That The Avatar Is A "Fangirl"
Mako doesn't care much for Korra when she meets him for the first time, dismissing her as his brother's fans. As such, he focuses more on getting the Fire Ferrets through the early stages of the Pro-bending tournament, and asks Bolin to do the same.
However, Korra shows him exactly what she is capable of, and when he learns of her identity, Mako is red with embarrassment. It still takes him some more time to get used to having her on the team, though.
9 Gets Involved In The Triple Threat Triad
When a rogue Firebender murders their parents, Mako and Bolin are forced to grow up on the streets. Now that he was basically an alternative father to his little brother, he decides to try any means possible to put food in their mouths.
Unfortunately, in Republic City, the quickest way to cash is through crime, so Mako joins the Triple Threat Triad, doing minor jobs for them, such as wager collection. This association is what leads to problems for him in adulthood, especially after he comes a police detective, not to mention the constant danger he puts Bolin in.
8 Almost Lets Pabu Become Snake Food
During their illegal days, Bolin finds an absolutely adorable fire ferret whose horrifying fate was to become food for a hungry pythonaconda. He begs and pleads with Mako to purchase the poor creature, claiming that he would take all responsibility for its care.
Mako attempts some tough brotherly love at this point, telling Bolin that he shouldn't mourn over the inevitability of evolutionary roles: predators eat their prey. The younger sibling ignores these words of "advice", and plans a jail-break (until he gets himself in the suffocating throes of the snake.) Mako saves him, and grudgingly allows Pabu to remain with them.
7 Threatens Korra For Accusing Hiroshi Sato
Korra accidentally eavesdrops on famed industrialist, Hiroshi Sato, whose claims of being "ready to strike" shock the Avatar. Tenzin believes her side of the story, and so does Bolin to an extent; but Mako, trapped in a blossoming new romance with Asami, refuses to acknowledge the possibility that her father could be a villain.
In fact, he has the temerity to imply that his friendship with Korra would be at stake, should she ever carry this assumption forward. Egg on his face, indeed.
6 Ignores His Brother's Accomplishments
Mako finally finds his calling as the first movie (or mover) star ever, in his role as Nuktuk: Hero of the South, produced by Varrick. He is gleeful with excitement, as anyone would be given the historical value of his position, but Mako plainly avoids him.
Although his assertion is that his detective tasks are keeping him too busy, this is clearly not the case, as he makes time for other people, like Asami or Korra. This is probably due to some untapped vein of envy — Mako, having received most of the attention until recently, is now on the opposite side.
5 Cheats On Asami
Bolin takes Korra on a "date" to cheer her up after she gets shot down by Mako, but the latter blames Korra for "leading his brother on" as some kind of revenge plot.
She counters with an accusation of jealousy, which he vehemently rejects. The fight dissipates soon enough: both of them apologize to each other and Mako confesses that he might be infatuated with Korra as well as Asami. In her enthusiasm, she kisses him, which he responds to by returning the favor. What's worse is that he doesn't even tell Asami until it's too late.
4 Dumps The Avatar In Public
It's understandable that Mako and Korra differ from each other in their political opinions, but instead of being the supportive boyfriend, he goes all out trying to prove himself as a law-abiding citizen. When Korra goes under the President's nose and enlists General Iroh of the United Forces, she is caught immediately by Raiko.
This happened because Mako had shamelessly snitched on her. This lack of trust boils over in their next fight, which concludes with him breaking up with her in the middle of the police station. It's a surprise she left the building standing.
3 Takes Advantage Of Her Memory Loss
After the unceremonious dumping, Korra is chased across the ocean by Eska and Desna, and is seemingly killed by a Dark Spirit. A small tribe of Bhanti Fire Sages, who help her recuperate and give her access to the entire history of the Avatar Cycle.
Korra returns home wiser, but has apparently forgotten that she and Mako had ever split up; she kisses him and starts talking about her pining for him. He thinks it's a smart idea not to tell her what had actually occurred, under the guise of protecting her feelings when he actually wants to protect his own.
2 Refuses To Trust Kai
Mako lies the idea of Kai (finding a kindred spirit in a fellow orphan, so to speak), but then starts being judgmental when he discovers that the kid happened to be a notorious scam artist.
This makes him an absolute hypocrite, considering that he himself had spent years involved in petty scrapes with the law. This ridiculous belief that he is somehow superior to the new member of Team Avatar is taken way too far: when Kai "runs away", Mako hatefully states that they are better off without him.
1 Lets Earth Prince Wu Get Abducted
Mako's latest assignment is the worst possible one (in his eyes), being a bodyguard to Prince Wu of the Earth Kingdom while his coronation takes place in Republic City. He can't stand the spoiled royal and does his best to dodge his duties as much as humanly able, especially after learning that he would be sent off to Ba Sing Se for the rest of his job.
At one point, Prince Wu wants Mako to come along while he uses the facilities, which his bodyguard shrugs off as too tedious. However, he gets himself kidnapped by stupidly inhaling knockout gas, forcing Team Avatar to mount a rescue mission.