The love triangle was actually put to good use by Lucas in the original trilogy. I don't know why he didn't employ more of the same in the prequels. In the Phantom Menace, Anakin is way too young for Padme to fall in love with. That leaves either Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan as potential love interests, and we all know that Qui-Gon is short lived. It could have been that Obi-Wan was Padme's first choice, but he was too faithful to his Jedi roots. He could still kiss, embrace, exchange meaningfull stares with her throughout the 3 movies. He just wouldn't take it to the last step. Then when Anakin's mother dies, the only reason Padme is intimate with him is out of pity, not because she has the hots for him. Their romantic relationship is short lived and although she loves him, we all know it is Obi-Wan she desires. Even Anakin knows it before he turns to the dark side. It is part of the reason he so quickly dismisses her and nearly kills her when she tries to save him. There could have been a real heart-breaking moment between Obi-Wan and Padme before she dies where she divulges that she wishes that he was the father of her children, not Anakin. Obi-Wan promises her that he will watch over and protect Luke as if he were his own son, kissing her tenderly before she expires. But instead we got the crap that was served to us by Lucas. The characters were so wooden and one dimensional. He focused too much on the special effects and forgot the human equation. Not that the OT was shakespeare, but it was far better than the PT. Oh well.