It seems they're trying to dumb it down with some of the storylines this season... Hiro aka Cyrano... Claire/West going some disturbing Superman/Freudian route ("he flies like my real dad" is gonna get referenced eventually, I betcha). Bad plot's bound to lead into at least some subtle (and occasionally not) misogyny somewhere.

That said:
- It was already all but spelled out that Candice's real form wasn't going to be subjectively on par with her illusions (though I was hoping for a midget, personally).
- Mrs. B didn't have much of a part before either.
- Molly is a little girl. I don't think gender applies to the protection angle here.
- Nikki: I call her still thinking strength requires Jessica, and that's a Bad Thing(tm).