the show's writers can make us love these people not only despite their flaws but because of them.

Yes! What initially had me writing this post was fascination with the idea that, while any good sci-fi series has flawed characters, SGA actually uses flaws as the main focus and selling point of the series. It doesn't rely on plot to keep the show moving. In fact, more often than not, the character arc determines where the plot will go next.