I'm all for deep interesting characters that are equal to the PC. I'm also all for them being a major player/part of the story.
I don't want meat shields, pack mules. I want characters I like or dislike, strong characters with their own motivations and place in the world. The worst thing Obs could do is make me apathetic towards a character, which is something I did feel towards some of the BG cast. But I also don't want character that do the every whim of the pc, or that all of them can be broke or bent to the PC will.
I also don't want all the have characters daddy issues, or that need me to put on my Dr Phil hat.