Star Wars: Blogs | The Star Wars Uncle | R2 Remembers Obi-Wan, But What About Yoda?

The Star Wars Uncle

by: Z-score

date posted: Jul 18, 2005 5:36 AM | updated: Aug 31, 2005 6:17 AM

R2 Remembers Obi-Wan, But What About Yoda?

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

http://blogs.starwars.com/eshepp/24

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colorscheme2
The Colorscheme

date Posted: Jul 18, 2005 6:25 AM

Interesting post! Let's see...
We can rule out Episode I -- oh, no we can't. R2 could have met Yoda during the ceremony at the end. They were at least in the same location, not that they sat and had drinks together.
In Episode II, it's the same thing. After the Battle of Geonosis, R2 likely traveled with Padme, who likely traveled with Anakin, who likely was visited by Yoda. I'm imagining a scene similar to the end of Empire.
And then at the end of Episode III, R2 surely took note of Yoda.

colorscheme2
The Colorscheme

date Posted: Jul 18, 2005 6:25 AM

I'd like to think that he was playing dumb, too. It's one of his best traits in the original trilogy. And when he peers into Yoda's hut? He's not missing a thing. Call him the official recorder.

Makes me feel bad for him when the door closes between him and Luke before Luke fights Vader. "I wanna SEE this!" he was thinking. "The last time my Jedi Knight master went off somewhere, I never saw him again." Artoo would protect Luke with his life.

	Kermit The Blog of a Frog
date Posted: Jul 18, 2005 6:49 AM From the knowledge we have of the films, Yoda and Artoo never met personally, and I doubt they even did off screen. Anakin was one of the only Jedi who treated Artoo like a real, living being. Sure, Obi-Wan did later, but not as much in the PT. And I only think he did it a few times then, because Anakin scolded his master for treating Artoo like, well, a droid.

Kermit
The Blog of a Frog

date Posted: Jul 18, 2005 6:49 AM

So despite Artoo and Yoda being in the same place numerous times, I find it hard to believe Yoda would have greeted him and treated him like a human. Therefore they likely never met. However, in the Clone Wars cartoons (chapters 15 & 16 I think) Artoo is with Padm� when Yoda persuaded her to go to Ilum with him. Artoo heard Yoda's name, and being a very intelligent and mature droid, had to have picked up: This green thang is Yoda.

I'd say Artoo probably knew who Yoda was, despite not meeting him. It's like how we all know who famous people are: Most of us haven't met any or many of them, yet we know them right off the bat. Same could go for Yoda and Artoo's "relationship."

Kermit
The Blog of a Frog

date Posted: Jul 18, 2005 6:49 AM

Another thing, we know a Jedi can communicate telepathically to someone's mind, whether a message or mind tricks. We don't know if droids are prone to this as well, but Yoda very well could have sent a message like "Blow my cover, do not." Or "Blow my cover, you will not."

And last of all, we know Artoo is incredibly smart. He was wise enough they let him keep his memory verus Threepio who had his wiped. So it could also be he was playing a long, as you said. Many possibilities that all work out, and as you said I don't see it as a plot hole.

Good entry, BTW.

Graffiti
Somewhere on the Other Side of Mos Eisley

date Posted: Jul 18, 2005 12:24 PM

It is entirely plausible that Artoo and Yoda never formally met, nor did they have any reason to interact, so it is equally plausible that Yoda wouldn't recognize Artoo on Dagobah. Though since they were in the same place on multiple locations (and since Yoda was the most powerful Jedi), I would like to believe Artoo knew who Yoda was. Being the smart little astro-droid he was, I'm sure Artoo recognized him, though he may not have been playing dumb about it. Considering Yoda's behavior, Artoo could be thinking, The old Jedi has been alone in the swamp for too long. He's gone completely bonkers!

	Rella2
date Posted: Jul 18, 2005 2:50 PM I think R2-D2 can keep a secret. He's the best one at doing that in the whole character universe.

ithekro

date Posted: Jul 18, 2005 5:17 PM

There is also the possibility that his program played some part in his actions. He is programmed to be loyal to his master and this little green guy is taking my master's things without permission. R2 doesn't care who is doing this, just that it is being done. But note that R2 was rather subtle about it, only using a grasping arm, no arc welder or any offensive tools. He might know who this is, but he still isn't going to let even a Jedi Master steal from his own master.

	Aldera Lacop
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 1:25 PM Being a droid, he really has no conscience - does he? I dont think he understand the importance of his witness to the new trilogy. If he did, and if he told anyone, he would for sure get memory-wipe, the nightmare for droids... I dunno

	JediKnight910
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 4:16 PM I don't know if any of you people posting your messages remember almost at the end of Revenge os the Sith when Bail Organa orders a person or one of the clone trooper to erase the droids memories that is why 3po and R2 don't remember a thing in the original trilogies!!!!!!!

bobby-wan kenobi

date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 4:36 PM

Yoda's look changes a lot betwenn Episode 3 and Episode 5. In Episode 3 he is all cutting art state of the edge computer generation. In Empire, he looks like a rubber puppet. (The years had certainly not been kind to the Jedi)
We recognize Yoda between the 2 trilogies because it is what we are expecting. (we know we are watching a movie).
I think you are giving R2 too much credit for recognizing Obi-Wan in Episode 4. R2D2 would have approached Boba Fett the way he did Obi-Wan if it were Fett that had just chased off The Tusken Raiders.

	ithekro
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 4:53 PM Ah but Organa only ordered the memory wiped from the protical droid: C-3PO, which is why you can hear R2-D2 laughing (in a droid fashion) at 3PO's "Oh-no".

	Z-score The Star Wars Uncle
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 5:39 PM I think you are giving R2 too much credit for recognizing Obi-Wan in Episode 4. R2D2 would have approached Boba Fett the way he did Obi-Wan if it were Fett that had just chased off The Tusken Raiders. Possibly. But I will have to respectfully disagree with you on this one, because R2 was searching for Obi-Wan Kenobi.

	Darth Bane, Father of the Sith Archival Editions - Changes to the Star Wars Saga
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 6:11 PM I think R2 knew exactly who Yoda was, but he was baffled by his strange behavior. I showed my cousin the original films just recently and he thought Yoda lost his mind between Episodes III and V, so I think that's what R2 thinks. Besides, to my knowledge, astromech droids can't differentiate between real and acted behavior.

	Caioba_ro
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 6:12 PM I didn't understand this, in the end of the "Revenge" R2-D2 had his memory erased from Captain Antilies because Bail Organa told him to do. Many people here post the same as me. I would like to know what you think. If I'm wrong please correct me.

	Z-score The Star Wars Uncle
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 6:40 PM Hi, Caioba_ro. Thanks for reading! Bail Organa ordered to have C-3PO's memory wiped, but not R2's. The reason probably because most people can't understand what R2 is saying and because C-3PO tends to have a big mouth.

jedimike2004

date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 7:24 PM

I really liked all of the entries in this blog - very open mined - but I did want to point something out to you Star Wars Uncle - the scene where Yoda first meets with Luke and R2D2 - Yoda goes thru Lukes things and finds the lamp and while R2 tries to get it back, Luke tells R2 to let "him" have it. Luke at this point still doesnt know the green guy is the all powerful Jedi Master Yoda. But I would have to agree that R2 being the intelligent astromech droid he is probably does not say anything to Luke about who Yoda is. As far as ROTS I would have to see it again b/c I cant remember if Bail says to only wipe 3PO's mind. I do agree with you z-score that 3PO does have a big mouth so it would make sense to erase his memory and not R2.

	Oodum_Fett_3
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 7:41 PM uummmmm pehaps u are all forgetting that R2 was practically destroyed at the end of ANH....parts of his meory were probably wiped out

	Oodum_Fett_3
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 7:42 PM sorry....*memory....:P

Z-score
The Star Wars Uncle

date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 7:55 PM

really liked all of the entries in this blog - very open mined - but I did want to point something out to you Star Wars Uncle - the scene where Yoda first meets with Luke and R2D2 - Yoda goes thru Lukes things and finds the lamp and while R2 tries to get it back, Luke tells R2 to let "him" have it. Luke at this point still doesnt know the green guy is the all powerful Jedi Master Yoda.

Oops! Thanks for bringing that to my attention, Jedimike. I will fix that mistake in my blog right away. Kudos to Jedimike for pointing this out!

jamfen

date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 8:00 PM

I think R2 IS trying to tell Luke that Yoda is right in front of him. In the scene prior to Yoda's appearance, it is obvious that Luke has not learned to understand R2's beeps and whistles (after being spit out of the swamp, Luke says, "IF YOU'RE SAYING coming here was a bad idea..."). Later, he hooks R2 up to a charger, but there is still no speech recognition hardware hooked up to him.

jamfen

date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 8:01 PM

Once Yoda appears, he is kind of in the shadows. Once he comes into the light, R2 becomes a little more vocal...perhaps being low on power made it difficult to see into the shadows as easily. When Yoda is finally standing right in front of him, R2 begins to rock back and forth and whistle/beep excitedly...much like he did at the appearance of Obi Wan. When Yoda starts to dig through Luke's things, Luke is fairly disrespectful to the Master and R2 begins making those warning sounds. Is this an alarm sound or a warning to Luke instead ("Be careful! You're talking to a Jedi Master!!")?

ithekro

date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 8:01 PM

Of course this makes R2 the only "living" witness of the entire saga. Because he didn't get his mind wiped like 3PO did, he still knows thinks about people in this universe that have been mostly forgotten. He is also the only one left "alive" after yoda's death as to who Luke and Leia's mother is, and that they are Anakin Skywalker's children. It is interesting that no one thinks of R2 as a veteran of the Clone Wars. I'm sure Luke would be rather impressed if he ever discovers this about his astromech.

	stormraiderjedidragon
date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 8:55 PM The whole idea that R2 was trying to say "Oh look, it's Yoda right in front of you!" is possible. Even in the EU, Luke still can't understand exactly what R2 says though he does make good guesses according to the "tone" of R2's "voice".

J-Dishy
Tales From the Coruscant Mafia

date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 9:59 PM

Two things:

One, Luke could never really comunicate with R2. He treated him in a very loving manner, just as a dog's master would. He spoke with him the same. Think about it like this:

"This place sure seems strange!"

R2 woofs instead of beeps.

"You go that right!" You see, he can't truely understand R2, just relate.

Two, why wouldn't R2 then have remembered Yoda. He could never really "tell" luke anyway. Maybe they were just goofing around. Yoda has a playful side, as many leaders in the Eastern religions do (where GL got the inspiration for the Jedi). We all know now that if Yoda wanted to hurt R2, he could have.

Mama23YoungLings

date Posted: Jul 19, 2005 10:32 PM

I thought that they had both the droids minds cleared but I could have missed it haveing to deal with the kids.. But I think that R2 was looking for Obi since that was his mission in the 1st place and it just so happens that Obi scares off the Tusken Raiders,R2 could be thanking him... We all know how much of a jiber-jabber R2 is when he gets mad or when he needs to speak his mind....

The Dahaka

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 2:58 AM

I have said this 1000 times over on the boards Lucas screwed up in many areas, however not this part, the droids memories were wiped at theend of Ep3, he did not recognise Obi Wan as a result nor Yoda due to this, he may have been merely happy to see Obi Wan or Leia could ahve informed him of what Obi Wan looks like, would make sense would it not? I mean how would he know what he looks like?

Lucas and his faults!!

Lukes_Right_Hand
Meditate on this, I will

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 3:12 AM

R2's mind wasn't wiped in ROTS, only C3PO's. I believe R2 lost a lot of his memory (and abilities - booster rockets for example) when he was hit by Darth Vadar during the trench run in ANH. Whether this means he didn't recognise Yoda in ESB is not clear.

My theory would be that he did recognise Yoda and perhaps did tell Luke to be more "respectful" (as pointed out already), but Luke (and us viewers) didn't understand his beeps and whirrs etc.

cont

	Lukes_Right_Hand Meditate on this, I will
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 3:12 AM Another point is that Luke simply tells R2 that they are going to the "Dagobah system", not to visit Yoda. If Luke had explained to R2 what the score was, I am sure R2 would have remembered Yoda on the way to Dagobah. I mean, Luke telling him they were searching for a Jedi Master must have sent his memory banks into overdrive!

Nat

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 6:18 AM

There is a lovely comment in Rinzler's 'Making of ROTS' book that quotes Lucas saying "a hundred years from ROTJ, R2 relates the whole Saga to the Whills". Don't have the book at hand ... but it's in there !

So, Lucas' concept for the driods - and R2 in particular - holds true : they are the HIDDEN FORTRESS -esque observers/narrators of the Saga, constants throughout the episodes, and know much, if not all, of what occurs.

Nat

NH217K

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 7:03 AM

Well, as for R2 remembering Obi-Wan... I think that is a little false. He is not traveling through the desert because he remembers Obi-Wan. He is going there because Leia sent him on a mission. Now, as for remebering Yoda, I have a few theories of my own.

1. R2 forgot about Yoda. As with all harddrives and computers, memory is limited. Therefore, R2 probably decided eventually when his memory was getting full that somethings needed to be erased and Yoda went out the window.

2. R2 got his memory wiped. There were plenty of years in between III and IV for the droid to get his memory wiped. Plus, its a pretty common thing in the SW galaxy.

	The Dahaka
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 7:13 AM I Take it back R2 didnt have his memory wiped i just watched ROTS, you are quiet correct.

	Deo Geo
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 7:35 AM If you remember R2 only went looking for Obi-Wan in ANH because Leia programmed him to deliver the Death Star plans to him.

	Catal Al-Undar Building the Used Future...
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 7:44 AM i agree with Lukes_right_hand, i believe that the direct shot from the TIE fighter in IV fried somethings in his memory core, he acts differently afterwards, in the next couple movies... or he thinks yoda went crazy.... either way...

	Mama23YoungLings
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 9:14 AM I still say lets just enjoy the movie if you put to much thought into all the small details then it takes the enjoyment out of it ...NOT FUN....

Tylgil Casash

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 9:40 AM

Artoo most likely recognized Yoda just as well as he recognized Obi-Wan. With the droid seemingly in Obi-Wan's possession and Master Kenobi on the Jedi Council (as seen in Revenge of the Sith), it seems impossible that Artoo wouldn't have met Yoda at some point. And why would Artoo need to say "Hey, Luke, this is that Yoda guy you're looking for!"? Besides, who knows the effects the force can have on even a mechanical mind. It would be very inconvenient for Artoo to blow Yoda's cover too early.

Jedi Lord Archangel

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 10:11 AM

I'm also in agreement that R2 recognized Yoda, but just kept his beeps to himself. I'm now waiting for R2 to pull Luke aside sometime and tell him about the events leading to the downfall of the Jedi Order, or for Luke to stumble across it. Maybe even in the format of Obi-Wan creating a hologram message for Luke pre programmed to play when the Jedi Council reforms or something like that.

	Nat
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 12:29 PM Hmm, my home PC won't show me any responses from above ?! So ... apologies for repeating this in case anyone else has done the legwork, but here's the page in the Rinzler book : P.72 Nat

	purplepuma
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 12:35 PM I'd like to think that after so many years, R2 just didn't remember as well as he used to. Even well made machines ware down after a while.

binas

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 1:29 PM

I think the playing dumb theory is quite plausable. For example, R2 also knows that darth vader created C3PO. Yet he has never mentioned this to the protocol droid or anyone else during the imperial rule or the time after (new republic, yuuzan vong period). It would probably fry a couple of circuits in C3PO's brain if he ever found out, haha.

I think it also has to do with safety reasons, which R2 understands al too well. He could've blurted it all after seeing the owen family after 19 years when he was sold to them by the jawas, and he didn't.

JosephLKeck@cox-internet.com

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 3:11 PM

Before I even begin to post my own comments on the whole Yoda/R2 question, it seems obvious that a few points need to be clarified.

1. R2-D2 did NOT have his memory wiped, only C-3P0 (watch III if you're in doubt).
2. R2-D2 does NOT recognize Darth Vader in the OT because, as far as he knows, Anakin Skywalker was killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar. In a way, R2's ignorance of Vader's origins is very similar to the rest of the Star Wars galaxies ignorance (that is, the famed Jedi Anakin Skywalker was never known to be Darth Vader by common people because they would have just assumed that he was killed like all the other Jedi during the Purge).

JosephLKeck@cox-internet.com

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 3:12 PM

3. There can be little doubt that R2 recognized Obi-Wan in IV...he was on a mission to find General Kenobi and he certainly worked with Obi-Wan enough in the PT to make the
connection.
4. There is no substantial film evidence that R2 recognized Yoda in V. The screen time that they share in the PT is very limited and there is nothing to suggest that they knew one another intimately.
5. On the other hand, the only thing that really gives this argument a leg to stand on is the fact that Chapters 15 and 16 of the Clone Wars cartoon indicate that Yoda and R2 worked together on a mission and that R2 might have recognized Yoda because of this.

JosephLKeck@cox-internet.com

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 3:17 PM

Now, as to the whole question, I think that it is possible that R2 recognized Yoda. Although there encounters are brief during the films, there is certainly reason to believe that the two could have become "acquainted" during, say, the time in-between Episodes I and II because of R2's service to Padme and Padme's prominent place in the Senate (and rather close connecion to Yoda). Of course, this could really be said for all of R2's pre-Anakin service in the Clone Wars (that is, in-between II and III when he would have still been working for Padme) as well.

ithekro

date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 4:47 PM

Something I was pondering. I don't think R2-D2 has any scenes with Darth Vader in the OT. No scene where Vader is looking at R2 or interacts with him (blowing him up fighter to fighter doesn't quite count as interacting).
Though this also brings along the question of why Vader stopped Fett from shooting the Wookiee. Does he recognize 3PO? Does he just want more suffering without death to hang over Luke's head later?
But R2's story. The droid that knew the most about what happened to the Skywalkers and the rise and fall of the Empire. Luke would be shocked to find out all the answers were right behind him in his X-wing's socket.

	TomKan
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 5:34 PM Yoda was the one playing dumb because he is testing Luke. R2 possibly reconized Yoda but it just can't understand Yoda's crazy actions.

	napalm229 Republic Enemy: thoughts on the CIS
date Posted: Jul 20, 2005 8:41 PM The only time I remember R2 and Yoda being together in the same place is at the end of ROTS on the Tantive IV. And actually if you want to get technical...they were together in the Clone Wars animated series when Padme takes Yoda to Ilum to look for the missing Jedi. One thing about Star Wars, though, everyone was good at keeping secrets.

Anakin636

date Posted: Jul 21, 2005 8:05 AM

I recall Revenge when Obi Wan or Yoda, can't remember, orders to erase the droids memories. The reason R2D2 recognizies Obi Wan is because Leia programed him to do so, about Yoda, obviously he was playing dumb, but Yoda didn't recognized him. That's my theory, i think that if we think about it we would have to ask ourselves why he didn't recognize C3PO, they had just met in Leia's fleet.

	Singin Hobo I find your lack of pants disturbing
date Posted: Jul 21, 2005 11:26 AM Would you remember the pet of somebody you knew 20 years later? R2 looks like a billion other droids... and it's likely that their owners called most of them "Artoo."

JosephLKeck@cox-internet.com

date Posted: Jul 21, 2005 3:14 PM

Actually, this blog really poses the larger question of who from the PT could remember who in the OT. I mean, I suppose that it's possible that Boba Fett coud recognize R2 in Episode V because he possibly could have seen him on Geonosis in Episode II. Then again, connections like these are sketchy at best and probably should not be considered as "plot holes" when watching the two trilogies. Yoda/R2-D2...possible, but who cares.

Nat

date Posted: Jul 22, 2005 6:40 AM

As far as I recall, Yoda and R2 were together in the Polis Massa medical room, overseeing the surgery on Padm�.

Why does R2 recognise but does not acknowledge Yoda on Dagobah ? Tough one.
Why does Yoda recognise R2, but not acknowledge him ? Presumably because the Jedi Master wanted to keep Luke's heritage a secret - he still wanted to after the Battle of Carkoon remember ! - as well as focus on the boy's training in a short time, and lead by example and not be cluttered by confusing reunions.
And hey, Yoda may have still retained the ubiquitous disdain and dismissiveness of droids that seems prevalent in the Galaxy (a feeling universal except for the Skywalkers !!)

Nat

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