Y'know, I just realised - I think the reason Lame!Cawti didn't bug me is that I never really liked her that much to begin with. Vlad tells us she's badass, but she's never quite as good as Vlad at being badass. I blame the Patriarchy. Though of course, the various female Dragaerans are equal to or better than Vlad. So I guess his friends can keep up with him, but he aims a little lower for lovers?