Great Ceiling Cat! We agree on something! Runs to check hell-thermometer
For me, it's never been about Peggy deliberately trying to do anything other than avoid engaging her brain,* which is finally ending in this strip as we see the mental gears begin to mesh once more. What I've said is she's being unfair to Gary, which is not the same thing. Even not respecting him isn't the same thing as hurting Gary. If that happens, will be an unintentional ripple effect.
Whether or not that's worse than deliberately setting out to hurt Gary or to sabotage their relationship is another matter.