imo the biggest difference between vriska’s and catra’s characterization is that vriska clings to the role of hero while catra clings to the role of villain. but what they share is that they both come from a desperate desire to show the people they care about that they are Good Enough

vriska is certainly concerned with being Relevant, but she still wants the people she loves to love her. but instead of knowing how to like, actually be honest and vulnerable w her friends, she concerns herself w becoming the hero by whatever means possible. because who doesn’t like the hero?

but with catra, “good enough” doesn’t necessarily mean “good enough to be the hero,” but rather “good enough to be the villain.” in catra’s mind, she’s already made the mistake of being honest and vulnerable, and the people that she cares about won’t ever care about her enough not to hurt her. so instead, she’ll come out as the big bad guy on top, and she’ll hurt the ones she loves, like they hurt her, because who doesn’t recognize the strength of the villain?

it can be neatly surmised as catra wanting to be on top so that she can say “see? I don’t need you” and vriska wanting to be on top so that she can say “see? you need me”

in both cases their real happiness comes from recognizing their need and desire to be Cared For, and recognizing that that care does not come from the roles they cling to but rather from working to repair the relationships with the people they love & who love them