Correct me if I'm wrong. This may be merely one male's perception of things.
A lot of the negative criticism about Rachel (and Lauren, previously), is based on their appearance; their conventional standard of beauty. There used to be a TV commercial where the spokesmodel said "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."
Is there jealousy involved when a woman is considered
too pretty? It seems like that makes a woman harder to relate to with other women.
I've seen speculation that Rachel Gibson was evil because she is blonde and reminiscent of Lauren. As if pretty = Bad, and average = Good.
Suppose Amy Acker got the role of Rachel Gibson, Rachel Nichols got the role of Renée, and Élodie Bouchez got the role of Peyton. Would people's opinion of the characters change? Wouldn't people say that if Amy was playing Rachel it would be reminiscent of her role as "Fred" on Angel since her character started as afraid & ineffective, and then evolved into a confident & effective character?
Suppose Mike Vartan got the role of Marshall and Kevin Weisman was Vaughn. Would the fans love them the same way? Or do their physical appearance also weigh heavily upon their female fan adoration too?
I think that Rachel's character is fine as written and acted.