I'd blame part of his erratic behavior on the fact that he's 16 and hellbent on revenge.
Also, if you're using R2 as basis for him wasting personnel etc, keep in mind that R2 was NOT what the creator had in mind for season two. That was a snafu caused by the tv station deciding that the series had gotten a sufficient fanbase to qualify it for a move from midnight on Sunday to a prime-time slot. Which meant they had to restart the series essentially and re-explain everything they'd explained in the series up TO that point.
Besides - would Lelouch be so interesting to watch if he were perfect?
Also, if you're using R2 as basis for him wasting personnel etc, keep in mind that R2 was NOT what the creator had in mind for season two. That was a snafu caused by the tv station deciding that the series had gotten a sufficient fanbase to qualify it for a move from midnight on Sunday to a prime-time slot. Which meant they had to restart the series essentially and re-explain everything they'd explained in the series up TO that point.
Besides - would Lelouch be so interesting to watch if he were perfect?
To be fair, R1 wasn't what the creator had in mind. At all.