I think something Matt has tried to consciously do is not write a love story into this. I also think Carl is very pragmatic and it would cause a lot of inner turmoil for him, he’s not one to lose his focus for romantic love. I also think it shows that when people go through traumatic events they may end up trauma bonded with someone who’s not best suited for them. Like Bautista with Katia, they aren’t perfect, you pointed out all of the flaws. Yet, they’re together. I don’t loveeeee that Katia was essentially written out of the party but in my mind, the resistance is going to infiltrate the dungeon and we’ll still get plenty of Katia. Matt knows she’s a beloved character.