I loved James Bond too. He's still an arrogant alpha male, but at least he doesn't hold women down and kiss them until they like it any more (the scene with Pussy Galore in the barn in GoldFinger was cringe worthy). My opinion, I wouldn't consider Moneypenny was a strong woman. She was very smart and very competent. She seemed vulnerable to me when 'M' made her take the shot in SkyFall and Moneypenny was very hesitant. Rosie Carver in Live and Let Die was far from a strong woman.

Anyway, just my opinion. I wanted to chime in because I have the same love/hate feelings about Bond that you do.