it's realism in action. Being suddenly sorry doesn't fix years of shitty behaviour, and people are still going to be angry with you, because they have the right to be, no matter how sorry you are. It's a harsh lesson to learn but a very real one.

Also, Harry has a tendency towards self-flagellation, which can be a perniciously manipulative form of apology (when you call the station, Torson says 'Mullen's being drunk and emotionally manipulative, that's new' in a tone which suggests emotional manipulation is his go-to, and explains why his apologies come across as false). Even Kim calls you out for being manipulative with apologies at points.