I love everything I’m hearing about your edit, from the thoughtful philosophy behind it to a ton of clever choices, and it also happens to sound like the closest yet to my personal tastes in terms of striking a balance between fixing flaws and respecting canon.

As for the birth of Vader scene, I had an idea I thought I’d throw out there, just in case it strikes you as worthwhile:

PALPATINE: It seems, in your anger, you killed her.
VADER: What? No… [Vader writhes a bit, Force rumbling sound begins] …she was alive! I felt it! I… [Force rumbling fades away] …I couldn’t have…
End scene on close-up of Vader’s face. He doesn’t get off the table at all, and there’s no “NOOOO.”

I think that final twist of the knife is an important element to retain, and depicting it with an initial flash of angry denial that quickly gives way to quiet realization could be a really effective way of conveying it.

Either way, I can’t wait for the finished product! Thanks for all your hard work, and I’m looking forward to AOTC!