I for one adore Astarion, he's a sweetie, he's funny, and he's jaded to the world as a result of being a literal slave for 200 years. He has a taste of freedom and wants more, so yes he's selfish. Of all the companions so far he's the only one I would say actually *deserves* to be selfish. He doesn't care about the 'little people' because until he was captured by mindflayers he WAS one of the little people, and no one cared about him. I like the idea of softening him over time, giving him security and nurturing him, because he deserves it.
You don't take into account who he was before those 200 years. Larian actually spoiled his background when they were doing promo, and so far what is in the EA seems to fit that picture.
