As memory serves, there was either a deleted scene or at least a storyboard picturing Vader killing a sandperson in the first movie. Does anybody know whattup with that? (It would take on new meaning remembering his mother.)
Actually…
Bail only has C-3PO wiped, specifically - R2D2 is not mentioned. So I’d say R2 wasn’t wiped, and is the only one in the hexology who knows what’s going on.
I dunno about best of the three - but I’d say it comes in a close second.
Also, Anakin seems to build slowly to flipping to the Dark Side, but once he does, he does it all the way. A little quick, I thought. They could’ve left out some Wookie-work to explore that, I’d say.
I was just watching AotC and was struck by something that Obi-Wan said:
This implies that 'droids are not AI but rather just robots with impressive interfaces. It also allows for both R2 and C-3PO to be mind wiped yet retain the same personality. At the very least, R2 has had some memory wiped out - he does lose the ability to fly at some point.
Also, there is a general feeling through the Republic that erasing the memory of a droid is akin to murder. Obviously that wasn’t universal rule, that is what Jawas did after all. And it seems that someone high up in the republic was willing to do it as well.
Itsy-bitsy E3 spoiler
Yes, and it is quite clear who in Episode 3.
Anyways, I don’t know why everyone is so fixated on R2 flying. He doesn’t fly in the later trilogy so he must have had a memory wipe? Think about the logic on that statement for a second. It’s like saying that a guy missing a hand obviously has amnesia, otherwise he’d still juggle.
-Joe
I’ve spent the last three years thinking his leg-jets were just broken. 
I may have interpreted this wrong, but …
Leia may be remembering Bail Organa’s wife and thinking that was her real mother, yes. However, by the time A New Hope rolls around, Leia is well aware that she’s adopted–it’s not news when Luke gives her the twin revelation.
Hmm…cite? I can’t remember her showing any indication of it.
As for R2’s jets, I’d always assumed they were broken, out of warranty, were recalled (apparently some droid was using them to start fires…), or, most likely, were switched out to put in some droid-y upgrade.
-Joe
LUKE: Leia, do you remember your mother? Your real mother?
LEIA: Just a little bit. She died when I was very young.
LUKE: What do you remember?
LEIA: Just images, really. Feelings.
LUKE: Tell me.
LEIA: She was very beautiful. Kind, but – sad. Why are you asking me all this?
LUKE: I have no memory of my mother. I never knew her.
Luke clarifies “your real mother,” and Leia seems to know that there’s a distinction.
when they split the twins, bail watched over one, obi-wan over the other.
bail was able to live on a high profile planet, obi-wan was not. having obi-wan raise luke alone would raise many questions. they couldn’t take luke to naboo and have obi-wan guard him there, so the lars family was the closest kin to luke that obi-wan could hang around.
also it is easier to hide things in plain sight.
anakin only met owen and beru briefly and was dealing with a gravely injured mother and then her passing. what he had done to the sandpeople. after that he was dealing with recovery from very serious injuries, and the fact that he had destroyed everyone in his life and was alone.
i can understand that he didn’t think in the intervening years to check on a stepfamily he knew for less than 24 hours. also he could not visit his mother’s grave after all he had done. he wouldn’t even give tatooine a second thought after he became vader. he had to shut down any and all feelings to continue to exist.
It’s 20-plus years between Episode 3 and Episode 4, so I figure the best explanation for a non-flying Artoo is broken and/or replaced with something more useful.
“You don’t want to dwell on sloppy backfilling that creates internal inconsistencies.”
-We don’t want to dwell on sloppy backfilling that creates internal inconsistancies.
“These aren’t the fun-filled memories you’re looking for.”
-These…aren’t the fun-filled memories we’re looking for.
“You just want to eat popcorn and surrender your mind to massive CGI and lightsaber battles.”
-I just want to eat popcorn and surrender my mind to massive CGI and lightsaber battles.
“You can go about your business.”
-We can…now give you our business.
“Move along.”
-Two adults for Revenge of the Sith, please.
Well at the expense of outting myself as a serious geek…
In the role-playing game, Droids functions and abilities are a kind of EPROM, while their memories of events are stored elsewhere.
Therefore, they can have their memories wiped, yet retain full basic functionality.
As far as R2’s missing rocket jets in later films…I imagine something like this:
R2: Boop Tweet Whistle Blat (My rocket fuel tanks are depleted. Please refill).
Luke: You sure are a funnly little droid.
R2: Blat Blat Boop Tweet Moan (No, seriously; I just need two liters of rocket fuel).
Luke: And you make a lot of noise, too.
R2: Tweet Tweet Whislte Boop Blat! (Look you stupid hick, I’m trying to tell you something!)
Luke (in baby talk): Who’s my cute little droid? That’s right, cuuute little funny droid!
R2: Blat Blat Boop Beep! Bweep? (!@#$% Git. Where the hell’s 3PO when I need him?)
Or maybe:
[spoiler]
Since 3PO gets a memory wipe at the end of RotS…
R2: Hey 3PO. Tell these monkey boy techs to refill my rocket fuel tanks.
3PO: Rocket fuel tanks? Whatever are you going on about? You don’t have rockets.
R2: Yes I do. Don’t you remember? I just used them the other day to save your sorry metal ass!
3PO: Oh dear. This little droid is quite eccentric.[/spoiler]