I remember that UFO episode ('cause I watched it two days ago). Straker just told the lovely Lt. that he appreciated her hard work, but that she didn't have to because nobody expects her to compete with men, and by the way, never forget that you're pretty.
1980 was supposed to be groovy.
Calling something groovy in 1980 would get you laughed at, unless you were being facetious. I don’t recall this episode, but I would chalk it up to the then rising counter feminist Playboy bunny culture.