R2D2 'he's trying'

FaxModem1 · Post by **FaxModem1** » 2006-11-16 07:23pm

Ok, in Episode III, Anakin and Obi Wan are going through the ship, and Anakin starts defending R2, saying, 'he's trying'

Obi Wan replies,'I didn't say anything.'

What caused this, is Obi Wan not fond of the little droid?

000 · Post by **000** » 2006-11-16 07:43pm

He's not, no.

Noble Ire · Post by **Noble Ire** » 2006-11-16 08:05pm

000 wrote:He's not, no.

Obi-Wan, at least pre-Purge, seems to dislike droids in general (I don't believe that an explanation is ever given; the prejudice may be an extension of fighting so many CIS automatons over the course of the Clone Wars, or it may be more basic, perhaps something he picked up from a biological-centric Jedi upbringing). In both the ROTS novelization and serval of the later CW books, General Kenobi expresses concern over how close Anakin has become to R2-D2, probably both due to the fact that he's a droid, and the whole "no attachments" portion of Jedi dogma.

SCRawl · Post by **SCRawl** » 2006-11-16 08:06pm

Anakin also suggests that Obi-Wan not make any "loose wire jokes", as though he'd done so already. Clearly, there's a history we haven't witnessed. Also, there's Obi-Wan's disdain for droids which contrasts Anakin's healthy respect for them.

Zac Naloen · Post by **Zac Naloen** » 2006-11-16 08:15pm

I thought AOTC's made it quite clear that Obi-Wan sees droids as second fiddle to humans, and therefore probably thinks that Anakins "friendship" with R2 is a little bit weird. He probably also feels a little uncomfortable relying on droids hence his "loose wire" jokes.

000 · Post by **000** » 2006-11-16 08:29pm

Revenge of the Sith (novelization) expands on this a bit. Obi-wan is, basicallly, a luddite; he's not a huge fan of high technology, especially the kind that seems to think for itself.

Alan Bolte · Post by **Alan Bolte** » 2006-11-16 09:42pm

Huh. Hadn't really noticed that aspect in just the movies. I'd just thought that Obi-wan was referring to R2's eccentricity and occasional screw-ups.

Darth Culator · Post by **Darth Culator** » 2006-11-16 10:10pm

000 wrote:Revenge of the Sith (novelization) expands on this a bit. Obi-wan is, basicallly, a luddite; he's not a huge fan of high technology, especially the kind that seems to think for itself.

We also saw some of this in Episode II, with his "if droids could think" remark, which he said to the guy he went to for a second opinion after the supposedly infallible analysis droids failed him.

I got the idea he's just not a big technophile.

Tychu · Post by **Tychu** » 2006-11-16 10:24pm

Darth Culator wrote:
000 wrote:Revenge of the Sith (novelization) expands on this a bit. Obi-wan is, basicallly, a luddite; he's not a huge fan of high technology, especially the kind that seems to think for itself.
We also saw some of this in Episode II, with his "if droids could think" remark, which he said to the guy he went to for a second opinion after the supposedly infallible analysis droids failed him.

I got the idea he's just not a big technophile.

Dexter is the 4 armed guy he looks for a 2nd opinion, in Dex's Diner that looks strangely like 1950's American Diners.

Even in the original trilogy, the Jedi didnt seem to like Droids. Besides the door not being big enough for fat R2 to fit through, Yoda makes him wait outside.
Obi Wan doesnt really like the fact that a droid is searching for him "I dont every remember owning a droid" he really says this with alot of disdain in his voice to.

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2006-11-16 10:34pm

Tychu wrote:Dexter is the 4 armed guy he looks for a 2nd opinion, in Dex's Diner that looks strangely like 1950's American Diners.

Lucas stated in the commentary track for AOTC that Dex's Diner was meant to be an homage to Mel's Diner from his earlier film, American Grafitti.

Tychu · Post by **Tychu** » 2006-11-16 10:43pm

JME2 wrote:
Tychu wrote:Dexter is the 4 armed guy he looks for a 2nd opinion, in Dex's Diner that looks strangely like 1950's American Diners.
Lucas stated in the commentary track for AOTC that Dex's Diner was meant to be an homage to Mel's Diner from his earlier film, American Grafitti.

I know, you actually have to be sitting next to me to understand why i worded it the way i did, just my sense of humor.

as for the quote from AOTC. I always thought it was a tribute to all the "robots take over the world movies" out there. like werent Terminator 3 and I, Robot, and the final Matrix's getting ready to be released in 2002?

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2006-11-16 11:53pm

I thought it was "miswire" not "loose wire", as if Anakin's tinkering was fucking up R2. I'll go watch it.

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2006-11-17 01:27am

Tychu wrote:
JME2 wrote:
Tychu wrote:Dexter is the 4 armed guy he looks for a 2nd opinion, in Dex's Diner that looks strangely like 1950's American Diners.
Lucas stated in the commentary track for AOTC that Dex's Diner was meant to be an homage to Mel's Diner from his earlier film, American Grafitti.
I know, you actually have to be sitting next to me to understand why i worded it the way i did, just my sense of humor.

Ah, my bad.

Post by **Coyote** » 2006-11-17 03:58pm

And while Anakin befriends and respects droids, his attempts to form bonds with people are difficult-- rocky relations and communication attempts with Obi-Wan and Padme... whereas Obi-Wan forms a close friendship with Cody, a Clone Trooper. Anakin seems to see the clones as just potential extensions of his will. The only time I recall him really interact with any clonetrooper is when he snaps at that pilot to land the LAAT/i to retrieve Padme.

000 · Post by **000** » 2006-11-17 04:06pm

Anakin's pretty chummy with the clones, actually. He's the one who gave Alpha his name and recommended that names be given to graduates of the Clone Commander program.

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2006-11-17 04:07pm

In Dark Lord, IIRC, it also says something about Anakin still being most comfortable around the clones.

Post by **Coyote** » 2006-11-17 04:08pm

Really? I'm just going off the movies, I almost never read the novelisations, so I may be off base. From the movies it does seem that Obi-Wan is more chummy with the clones.

Anguirus · Post by **Anguirus** » 2006-11-17 04:14pm

Obi Wan doesnt really like the fact that a droid is searching for him "I dont every remember owning a droid" he really says this with alot of disdain in his voice to.

I don't think the line plays that way at all, especially considering that in the same scene he calls R2 "his little friend" and helps Luke rescue C-3PO.

I just think that Obi-Wan sees droids as tools, like most non-Skywalker denizens of the galaxy. He doesn't have anything against them, he just doesn't empathize with them the way Anakin does. The Episode III novelization plays up the contrast by suggesting that Anakin in turn is uncomfortable with living mounts and other animals, where Obi-Wan shares a deep empathy with them.

Also in the Episode III novelization, it's pretty clear from Obi-Wan POV moments that he's sometimes slightly creeped by droids, but still shows appreciation for R2 and for the skills of the droid fighters he faces.

Noble Ire · Post by **Noble Ire** » 2006-11-17 06:14pm

000 wrote:Anakin's pretty chummy with the clones, actually. He's the one who gave Alpha his name and recommended that names be given to graduates of the Clone Commander program.

He's also quite friendly with some of the other members of the Order, at least before the war. Pre-ROTS Anakin always struck me as the short of person who most people like and respect, but no one really knows too well.

Darwin · Post by **Darwin** » 2006-11-17 07:41pm

Noble Ire wrote:
000 wrote:Anakin's pretty chummy with the clones, actually. He's the one who gave Alpha his name and recommended that names be given to graduates of the Clone Commander program.
He's also quite friendly with some of the other members of the Order, at least before the war. Pre-ROTS Anakin always struck me as the short of person who most people like and respect, but no one really knows too well.

He was a quiet kid who.. mostly kept to himself really.. wore black a lot. Really it seemed like he was more comfortable with machines than people..

seriously though, In the movies we really probably saw the worst of Anakin, his fame, relationship with the other jedi and everything else pointed mostly to someone who most everyone (except Mace Windu) liked.

Havok · Post by **Havok** » 2006-11-17 08:58pm

Darwin wrote:
Noble Ire wrote:
000 wrote:Anakin's pretty chummy with the clones, actually. He's the one who gave Alpha his name and recommended that names be given to graduates of the Clone Commander program.
He's also quite friendly with some of the other members of the Order, at least before the war. Pre-ROTS Anakin always struck me as the short of person who most people like and respect, but no one really knows too well.
He was a quiet kid who.. mostly kept to himself really.. wore black a lot. Really it seemed like he was more comfortable with machines than people..

seriously though, In the movies we really probably saw the worst of Anakin, his fame, relationship with the other jedi and everything else pointed mostly to someone who most everyone (except Mace Windu) liked.

So Anakin was a Jedi Goth?

In the movies, Anakin doesn't have all that much interaction with the clones. On the ship when Panda bear falls out in AOTC, and with the 501st on his way to kill Jedi kids in ROTS. Obi-Wan is shown dealing with them much more than Anakin. Also remember that Anakin wants to go help the clone starfighters and has to be reigned in by Obi-Wan to stay on mission.

Tychu · Post by **Tychu** » 2006-11-18 12:30am

Anguirus wrote:
Obi Wan doesnt really like the fact that a droid is searching for him "I dont every remember owning a droid" he really says this with alot of disdain in his voice to.
I don't think the line plays that way at all, especially considering that in the same scene he calls R2 "his little friend" and helps Luke rescue C-3PO.

I just think that Obi-Wan sees droids as tools, like most non-Skywalker denizens of the galaxy. He doesn't have anything against them, he just doesn't empathize with them the way Anakin does. The Episode III novelization plays up the contrast by suggesting that Anakin in turn is uncomfortable with living mounts and other animals, where Obi-Wan shares a deep empathy with them.

Also in the Episode III novelization, it's pretty clear from Obi-Wan POV moments that he's sometimes slightly creeped by droids, but still shows appreciation for R2 and for the skills of the droid fighters he faces.

his attitude towards R2 changes only when he realizes its R2D2. In my opinion he was still a little impatient with C3P0 falling apart and having to be put back "Quickly they're on the move"

GunDoctor · Post by **GunDoctor** » 2006-11-26 04:02am

Tychu wrote:
Anguirus wrote:
Obi Wan doesnt really like the fact that a droid is searching for him "I dont every remember owning a droid" he really says this with alot of disdain in his voice to.
I don't think the line plays that way at all, especially considering that in the same scene he calls R2 "his little friend" and helps Luke rescue C-3PO.

I just think that Obi-Wan sees droids as tools, like most non-Skywalker denizens of the galaxy. He doesn't have anything against them, he just doesn't empathize with them the way Anakin does. The Episode III novelization plays up the contrast by suggesting that Anakin in turn is uncomfortable with living mounts and other animals, where Obi-Wan shares a deep empathy with them.

Also in the Episode III novelization, it's pretty clear from Obi-Wan POV moments that he's sometimes slightly creeped by droids, but still shows appreciation for R2 and for the skills of the droid fighters he faces.
his attitude towards R2 changes only when he realizes its R2D2. In my opinion he was still a little impatient with C3P0 falling apart and having to be put back "Quickly they're on the move"

We get it, you think Obi-Wan is an ass. He's not, close, but not, he's British

Anguirus · Post by **Anguirus** » 2006-11-26 12:11pm

He greets R2 and refers to him as "little friend" immediately, before any other interaction takes place.

seanrobertson · Post by **seanrobertson** » 2006-11-26 10:55pm

The novelization's explanation is the most easily defensible one. A luddite Obi-Wan makes perfect sense; that'd not only explain his opinion about droids, but also how much he hates "flying" and his disdain for blasters.

But to step outside of SOD for a moment, I strongly suspect Obi-Wan's anti-droid sentiments are simply Lucas' transparent effort at foreshadowing the whole "more machine than man -- twisted and evil" thing.