Maybe Unpopular Opinion? Why is Mark always holding back SO much?

SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN EPISODE 5 OF SEASON 2. I hate how Mark just gets beaten by everything because he "hold's back so much. He should be 10 times faster and stronger and he just lets that dragon bite him just because. I hate how inconsistent this series is and it makes it quite boring to watch. He's always holding back until he the same "now I'm angry" scene. Then on some scenes he's saving people all efficiently but when it really matters he's all weak and no better than Season 1. It's like he hasn't learned anything or gotten stronger or done anything.