I have no problem with woman characters who are perceived as weak at the start or don't instantly get respect (with in reason) as long as there is a natural progression for them to break those molds.

Makes the moment that they start kicking ass much more enjoyable.

But seriously, the guys all have their "fatal flaws" & "week moments" as well (Michael & Randy anyone - not being able to kill is such a "girl" thing). All of the characters have substantive contributions to the story. If you pull one out everything falls apart & they would probably all would have died.

The true litmus test for me is gender swapping the roles & - with the exception of Lizzy's pregnancy (although the female Saul pregnant would be like the best thing ever) & Bart's spcific role in the military (gender swap almost requires making him Major Margaret Hollaihan after she dumps Frank from MASH) - they all work in the opposite gender.

If a character's gender is only a peice of who they are & not the end-all-be-all of their existence than we have true gender equality. This story pretty much does that.

But the learning curve for the guys made it one hell of a ride.