Queen Amidala “Padme” is at center of all this

No, she won't return. But her role is kinda represented by Rey. => Kylo is a reversed Anakin and Rey his Padmé.

 

• Further back in the timeline: Shmi Skywalker.

 

Looking at the events of Episodes IV-IX throug a lens of Padmé's death is like looking at the whole 20th century history of Europe through a lens of murder of Archduke Ferdinand. Sure, both events serve as an igniting point for watershed moments in their respective (hi)stories (creation of Darth Vader and the beginning of WWI) but there's plethora of other, much more meaningful factors that pushed the participants into doing certain actions. What I'm trying to say is that in a grand scheme of things her death is too inconsequential to be considered "the centre of the saga."

 

Or in the same vein that Jar Jar was the spark that light the fire to bring the Republic down.

 

I wish they would add more to Padme's story, as well as to Shmi's story, because I feel there is a lot of potential for interesting character development not only to add more dimensions to their personalities but to enhance other characters like Anakin. Instead of just shoving 2 Dimensional female characters in our face (*cough* Rose, Holdo *cough*), it would be great if they could add more layers to pre-existing staples of Star Wars.

Especially with Shmi; where did she come from? Who are her parents? What happened to her that she was able to conceive a child despite there being no father? I want to know more!

 

A few months back, Daisy Ridley did an interview and said The Last Jedi proves Rey is just “a cog in the machine,” referring to the fact that she is just one of several important characters in the story.

However, I really think Padmé fits this idea a lot better. Her role in the films was obviously significant, but her relationship with Anakin was one of many factors that contributed to the events of Revenge of the Sith and the Original Trilogy. Yes, Luke and Leia wouldn’t have been born and Anakin might not have turned to the Dark Side (or if he did, it wouldn’t have been because of Padmé).

But I don’t think she is at the center of all of the films. She served her purpose in the overall story arc, and I think that’s all. She’s important, but not more than Luke, Leia, Darth Vader, or even Obi-Wan, for that matter.