There may already be some blog on starwars.com somewhere on this topic but I will discuss it here and ask the question anyway: Does R2-D2 remember Yoda on Dagobah?

Okay, you're on Tatooine and here comes old Ben Kenobi. He sees that Luke Skywalker is in trouble. The Sandpeople are up to their usual antics, as is Luke. It's time to subtly come to the rescue once again, as old Ben has been (no pun intended) watching over the boy for sometime. As Kenobi reaches down to check on Luke he hears a series of "whirrzz" and "beeps" and "boops." He looks up to see a standard looking blue R2 unit. Come here my little friend. Don't be afraid. We're not sure if Ben recognizes the little droid or not, but it really doesn't matter, because the droid certainly recognizes Ben and has quite a story to tell him.

Now, fast foward a few years later. You're on Dagobah. Luke Skywalker's X-Wing just crashed onto the swampy and densely forested planet. While Luke is there and not really sure what to do yet, he is greeted by a strange, little green creature. Before he finds out that this creature is, indeed, the Jedi Master, whom Ben Kenobi sent Luke to find, Yoda rifles through his stuff, tossing it about. While doing so, he delights in Luke's flashlight. While he holds it, R2 comes behind him and extends an arm and attempts to grab it from him. Yoda and R2 both struggle to pull it free from each other, until Luke tells R2 to just let him have it.

Now, during the OT it appears, at least in my opinion, that R2 does not recognize Yoda at all. But why would this be? Here are two theories:

Just Playing Dumb
Was R2-D2 just playing dumb? Perhaps R2 was preprogrammed at some point before ANH but after ROTS to pretend not to recognize Yoda when he saw him next for Luke's benefit and training.

Never Met
Is it possible that R2 never met Yoda in the Prequel Trilogy? I can't remember for sure if they did or not, but in all likelihood they did meet. In Revenge of the Sith, for example, they were both aboard Bail Organa's ship and they were both at Polis Masa when Padme' arrived. It's plausible that R2 at least took note of him. I mean, he's a computer, it would be in his harddrive.

Well, I don't know; but if I had to guess I would go with R2 playing dumb. Plus, I like the idea of him knowing who Yoda was the whole time. These are just some thoughts. Not complaints, mind you. I don't see these as flaws or plot holes. Just some of the great juicy tid bits that make it fun to watch Star Wars over and over and over again.

If anyone else has a theory, which I'm sure there are people with better theories than mine out there, feel free to comment or e-mail me. Or, if you know of an official answer to this question, please do the same.


As Always.

-The Star Wars Uncle