Yes, the UI interactions can and must be improved. For me it was always a mystery why I should click twice for actions without alternatives.
6. Technically you can fail on a natural 1, but I didn't check how they implemented that because it never happened for me.
I have had this happen before. Actually had it happen twice in a row trying to open SH's pod on the ship. First with my PC then with La'zel. From my understanding, even though it says 1 on the screen it actually gives you a -5 as a critical failure.