Right? I mean, there's a moment I recall where he rubbed noses with Asami and there were pet names, which was kind of sweet and dorky; but other than that, he hasn't struck me as very there. (Hmm, yes, I think you're right - which is certainly meta-interesting, as you say, but, yeah, not doing a lot for me. :P I rewatched the first few episodes not all that long ago, and it was almost startling to go back to the "grumpy jerk" characterization he started out with; that seems to be almost totally gone, and all that's left for him to do is Firebend here and there and Pietà-pose with Korra.)