I mean, the fight IS completely awesome, and the consequences of it are awesome. The frustrating part is that sometimes... there is no fight. One of your characters getting one turn and being unable to do anything to save her is what's bad. The fight that comes after losing this fight is one of the best I've had on Tactician and I will definitely remember it as one of the best moments I've had in the game. But I maintain that it IS a bummer on your first playthrough to have back luck with initiative and lose it all. Her AC and HP have been increased and it might not be such a huge problem anymore, but I think we could do with a little balancing here.
I actually had another idea - after she gets knocked out, Marcus casts Sanctuary on himself and flies away with her on the next turn. Still gives all party members a guaranteed turn while keeping it terrifying.
