Abusive? *headdesk*

That was my reaction too. But sadly, it's true. I suppose they were desperate to give Luke a sob story. As if his life wasn't hard enough already...

That's very interesting about Padmé. I think of all the major characters, she was usually the most open to change. But even she seemed to be very reluctant to change anything, especially in terms of the Jedi Order. Perhaps she felt it wasn't her place...