Why R2-D2 Is The Only Character Who Could Have Saved Grogu.
R2-D2, the indomitable droid and mainstay of the Star Wars series, may be responsible for one more incredible feat: saving Grogu.
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, "Here we go again, another crazy fan theory." Except, I have spent a great amount of time sifting through the archives of Star Wars media and re-watching The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett for the 67th time for evidence to back up what I have to say. I’ve read other theories, including this similar one from Screen Rant and I have come to the conclusion that there is no one else, or at least characters we already know, that could have saved Grogu.
R2-D2, Artoo to his friends, has been a recurring character and feature across the last fifty years of Star Wars. Since appearing on our screens acting as the conveyor of the "only hope" message to Ben Kenobi, R2-D2 has been a key character in the Star Wars franchise and a big player in helping save the galaxy from the dark side. He was there at the destruction of the first Death Star, survived the colosseum of Geonosis, and helped win the Battle of Endor. He aided Luke Skywalker on his journey to becoming a Jedi Master, saved Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker countless times during The Clone Wars, and continued to aid the Resistance against the First Order. However, an achievement that I believe may not have been noted, or not yet at least, is the rescue of Grogu from the Jedi temple on the night of the Great Jedi Purge.
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Grogu has been a fan favorite character and crow-pleaser since the moment he was introduced at the end of episode 1 of The Mandalorian. Some say that he (along with Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni) has saved the Star Wars franchise after the lackluster sequel trilogy. Grogu has the adorability of a puppy but the strength of a Jedi, as we’ve seen most recently in The Book of Boba Fett. However, one mystery that surrounds Grogu is his escape from the Jedi Temple purge. It was confirmed by Ahsoka during The Mandalorian Season 2 episode ‘The Jedi’ that Grogu was at the temple and that he was rescued by someone from the temple and handed to someone that cared for him on Coruscant.
It was also confirmed that Grogu has memories that he repressed of his time at the temple and of his escape, which means we are likely to find out the answer to this question sooner rather than later. But for those who can’t wait, who saved him? How did he manage to make it out from under the nose of the 501st? How did he escape the wrath of the newly minted Sith Lord Vader? Well, I believe that the answer is pretty simple. Good old Artoo.
Let’s look at the facts. We know that R2 was on Coruscant at the time of the Jedi purge and temple attack. We know that by the time Anakin arrives back at Padmé Amidala’s apartment, R2 is with Anakin, sitting snugly in his starfighter. Surely, given Anakin’s proclivity for flying, he flew his starfighter to the temple to lead the attack. We know he came "straight from the temple" which means, that R2 must have been there to accompany Anakin in his starfighter. Therefore, R2's location is confirmed.
Next up is R2's motive. We know that R2 has a sense of right and wrong (this is important later) and a personality that makes him appear more alive than some humans. He has shown this in his interactions with Luke and C-3PO in the mainline films, most fondly during his desert bickering in A New Hope. His fondness for his bipedal companion C-3PO shows he is capable of empathy (look at how he always looks out for the bumbling protocol droid), which could be extended to others.
Another important point is that he is able to ignore instructions and act independently. He has no restraining bolt like other droids, forcing him to follow every instruction from his owner. There are multiple occasions in The Clone Wars and the Skywalker saga films where he has completely ignored direct orders from a variety of beings.
Let’s use his most constant disregard for the instruction of "stay in/with the ship" as our main example, as this will help further our theory. R2 has never been very good at staying with the ship, much preferring to stay with his friends or close to the action. I think that true to form, R2 exited his position in the starfighter and followed his master and the 501st into the temple.
Upon his entrance into the temple, R2 would have had sensory overload. A place that should have been peaceful had been turned into a battlefield with highly trained Republic soldiers led by one of the most decorated Clone Wars Jedi generals on one side, and a group of Jedi Masters desperately protecting their young Padawans on the other.
Remember, R2 knows the difference between right and wrong. He would have seen Anakin and his soldiers slaughtering not just men, but women and children too. (When it comes to Anakin slaughtering innocents, that phrase just has to be used!) He would have seen Padawans being struck down where they stood or cowered. Brave Jedi Masters mowed down, protecting their students and fellow knights. R2 would know that this slaughter was wrong. He would know that his Master, Anakin Skywalker has turned to the dark side. In this moment, I think he made the decision to try and save at least one person. Just look at how odd R2 is acting when he is greeted by C-3PO at Amidala’s apartment. He has something to hide, and I don’t think it’s just his master’s evil actions. So, we have a motive.
The most important thing we have to consider though, is how could R2 achieve this feat? Well, first of all, every member of the 501st knows that the trusted droid follows Anakin Skywalker everywhere. They wouldn’t bat an eyelid. In fact, most would probably assume that R2 was present under orders from Skywalker. This means he would be able to proceed unhindered by the soldiers. It is presumed that R2’s sensors are able to detect lifeforms (this was shown through his ability to act uneasily when unseen enemies are approaching like with the Tusken Raiders in A New Hope and at various times in The Clone Wars.) Therefore, seeking out a surviving Padawan would not have been a problem for the droid.
The big question, I hear you ask, is how would R2 sneak little Grogu out? Well, this is pretty simple. Inside R2’s main body, the torso if you will. We know that he is able to store items and tools in his interior. We’ve seen him deploy multiple tools over the years. Grogu’s small size would make it an easy fit. From Grogu’s memories, we can see distortion of the scenes occurring in front of him. Almost as if the distortion is from a grate, or small gap. One of R2-D2’s vents on his torso or head? I think so. Adding to this, is the apparent danger that Grogu is in with Jedi Masters dying in front of him. However, none of the shots were fired in the direction of the youngling. Surely, if the Jedi Masters were dispatched as easily and efficiently as shown in the flashback, a defenseless youngling would not have stood a chance. Unless, that is, he was hidden from view by someone the 501st would not consider a threat. R2 is known for his wanderings and knows the Jedi temple well. He would know shortcuts that would allow him to get ahead of the clones. That would ensure he would find a survivor before the clones could exterminate them.
Because R2 is not considered a threat, he would be able to exit the temple at any time. Whilst the purge was still ongoing and Skywalker and the 501st were occupied, he could have easily slipped out without alarming anyone inside. Besides, R2 is the trusty sidekick of Skywalker, if Anakin and the clones can’t trust him, who can they trust?
So, R2 is out of the temple, with young Grogu in hand (or in torso if you’d prefer), and has enough time to assist the youngling in his escape. The question of who takes Grogu in after R2's assistance is another theory entirely. Let me leave you with my final piece of evidence and something to think about.
R2 is present when Luke Skywalker arrives on Moff Gideon’s Star Destroyer and is clearly happy to see little Grogu. We have seen R2 meet numerous new characters over the years, but this is clearly R2 responding to Grogu with recognition. How does he know Grogu? We have never seen the two characters interact before. Well, it’s because, at least I believe, R2-D2 saved him, and with him, the Star Wars franchise.
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Source(s): ScreenRant, Wookiepedia