The difference betwen Micheal and Ethan imo is that Micheal, despite all his flaws was a loyal friend. He was a bit too loyal sometimes and he crossed the fine line a few times (as he did in 301 when he said some very disrespectful things about Justin ) but at least with him it was 'what you see is what you get', while Ethan came across as not being too loyal, not as a friend and not as a partner.