Anyone else feel like Bolin's character is unnecessary? (Prepares for a hatestorm of downvote bombs)

Let me start by saying I LOVE BOLIN. Don't get me wrong here, personality wise he's the person I most enjoy in the show, and his comic relief is nice, most of the time. He's a sweetie and I love him.

What I'm here to say is, what the hell is he in the show for? In storytelling no element is ever there unnecessarily. What purpose does he serve for the show's plot? He gets kidnapped to make the viewer fear Amon early on, but that could have been literally anyone. And there is a halfhearted nod at a love triangle, but really, it is wholly inconsequential to the show. Asami's triangle has a purpose, Bolin's just... makes you feel bad for him one time and then they never mention it again. They could remove him from the show and the plot would be identical. When they crafted the show as if these 12 episodes could stand alone, what is he there for?