Ripley was only a woman because Sigourney Weaver wanted and won the role. Her character works so well because it was written as a man. Sarah Conner was significantly changed in Terminator 2 because (I imagine) Linda Hamilton had a lot of say at that point in how the character should be written. Other "strong women" (in quotes because I don't like the term) of those decades, while being great role models and examples, also fell prey to how men felt they should be seen and how they should act. For all the great characteristics of Buffy and Scully, their flaws or weaknesses can be seen as traditionally female by modern standards.
I agree with FPAlpha that it is only in the last few years we have seen more women in positions of control over the movies that are being made and how women are portrayed on screen reflects that. Many people have a reaction against this because it creates a situation where they have to make room in the sandbox that has been theirs (maybe I should say ours as I am a man) for others that are not white, male to play in and just like in real life--when different kids are allowed to play in that "sandbox" the rules of the game naturally change.
Dakota Fanning, in an interview, discussed how filming the The Lost Daughter was such a different movie making experience for her because Maggie Gyllenhaal filmed her in a way that did not represent the "male gaze", which is how women have almost always been filmed in movies made by men.
And we pick up on the Sakaaran ship thread Immediately, with the Hulk ushered off-series to await WWH.
