Since "Revenge of the Sith" there has been a lot of conversation about the fact that R2-D2 is the only one who really knows what's going on in all six films. Never having had his memory erased R2 becomes a Jerry Lewis-style gag in that, he could have told Luke everything from the beginning, if only he had asked.

However, I thought it worthwhile to mention that while See Threepio's memory was erased he continued to contain clues about who is maker was. Perhaps the droid could not have easily been traced back to Anakin Skywalker, but the character of the builder was there.

When you think about the protocol droids in the "Star Wars" universe--or similar droids--they certainly don't have the personality of See Threepio. The one on Bespin is downright rude to Threepio. The RA-7 droid used by the Jawas is all business. 4-LOM is so detached from the interest of human beings that he has become a thief and a bounty hunter. Meanwhile, See Threepio, while he tries to be a servant, takes on a more parental role.

I suppose we really notice it in "Revenge of the Sith", Threepio feels "so useless" when attempting to help Padme. While this might be in the robot's programming, it's interesting that a droid would even attempt to aid in the affairs of emotions. See Threepio is continually chidding and worrying about R2-D2 during their adventures. Perhaps he gets the most parental with Chewbacca on Cloud City when the wookiee is carrying him on his shoulder.

See Threepio lost a lot in the memory bank deletion. He never piloted a vehicle again (that we know of based on the movies). In fact, he was back to hating space travel as of Episode IV. However, I do believe he retained his original personality.

Anakin Skywalker, having no father, must have wanted a male role model. He certainly wasn't getting it from Watto and the spacers were unreliable, who knew when they would be back on the planet? Threepio was a way for a boy to create his idea of a perfect father:

Dads are smart: See Threepio would communicate in six million languages. At one point in "The Phantom Menace" Anakin declares that he will be the first to see all the planets of the galaxy, perhaps he was hoping Threepio would teach him all the native tongues as well.

Dads help moms: When Anakin introduces Threepio to Padme he explains, "he's a protocol droid to help Mom."

Dads spend time with their kids: While Threepio may have been intended to "help Mom", it's clear that he spends most of his time with Anakin.

Dads care: More than what a droid normally would, See Threepio--along with R2 who was reprogrammed by Anakin--genuinely worry when Han and Luke are lost in the Hoth blizzard.

Dads set you straight: As prevously stated, See Threepio is typically after R2 for one thing or another and this often spills in to the organic characters as well. You could say when the Ewoks make him their leader he is a father figure x 100 (or however many Ewoks there were).

It's clear to me that Threepio had a spark that would only come from someone who didn't just want a good protocol droid, but more than a protocol droid. Built by a 9-year-old on Tatooine who loved his mother, but needed a father. Anakin would eventually find a more complete father figure in Qui-Gon Ginn...but that's where the story grows dark.