Healing the Earth's wounds doesn't count? They're traveling around basically breathing life back into the planet.

Also, I rather think the repetition is the point…. I mean, think about it: Malchus has been doing this for centuries on end. I think you're supposed to feel like things are going in circles, because they ARE.

I hadn't really thought about the female portrayals much. Probably because, as you mention, they really serve no real role. So you don't really notice them much, beyond Luke's affections for them.