The Great Heep is a television movie, an animated special that runs for one hour, and serves as the initial story, or prequel, to the Mungo Baobab series of episodes within Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO. The script was penned by Ben Burtt, while Clive A. Smith took on directing duties. This special was initially broadcasted on the ABC network on June 7 of 1986.
The story begins with the Argo Moon making a journey through hyperspace. C-3PO and R2-D2 are passengers in the ship's control room, while Cag and his fellow pilot are in charge of flying the vessel. C-3PO is eager to meet Master Mungo Baobab at his newly established base. R2-D2 makes a beeping sound, and C-3PO expresses his excitement about providing service. However, R2-D2, misunderstanding the protocol droid, brings a cleaning bucket and mop for C-3PO, unexpectedly splashing him with water.
Mungo is seen riding a rockhopper on the flourishing world of Biitu, descending a slope and crossing a bridge. He arrives at an agricultural community where Biituians are busy gathering crops in the fields. The Biituians greet Mungo, who comments on the successful harvest they are having. The Biituian Fidge Tadrazan and his burrowing reptile companion Chubb dig a tunnel that goes through the field, and they emerge from beneath a tree.
Later, Fidge welcomes Mungo, offering him a piece of fruit. Initially, Mungo struggles to understand the Biituian language. Fidge, speaking in Galactic Basic Standard, inquires whether Mungo has discovered what he sought. Mungo informs the boy that he has found a rock which he believes will bring great wealth to the Biituians. He adds that he has located more of these rocks near the ruins located on the hill. As the rockhopper begins to bray, a dark shadow looms over the village, causing strong winds and a storm that damages the fruit trees. Mungo questions what it is, while the locals watch in fear. A plank strikes Mungo, causing him to lose consciousness. Fidge and Chubb look on in horror as the large object hangs above their village.
Meanwhile, R2-D2 and C-3PO observe the Argo Moon as it descends into Biitu's atmosphere. C-3PO expresses his anticipation of settling on the tranquil planet, while R2-D2 is cleaning the command bridge. C-3PO offers to speak highly of R2-D2 and focuses on caring for Mungo's clothes and belongings. C-3PO desires a promotion to a role more suited to his programming. However, he slips on a water puddle and damages a portrait depicting Mungo, an alien.
Captain Cag scolds C-3PO for the mess and instructs him to clean it up, as they are about to dock. C-3PO then gives orders to R2-D2, lecturing him about Biitu being a civilized planet that values cleanliness and order. At that moment, the Argo Moon is attacked by a group of Sludgegulpers, who board the ship. The crew is rendered unconscious by sleeping gas. C-3PO believes it is a misunderstanding and attempts to reason with the Sludgegulpers. However, both he and R2-D2 are captured by the droids, who take them onto their spaceship.
The spaceship travels to the devastated Biituian village, where the surrounding area has become a desert. C-3PO notices that the crops have withered. C-3PO, R2-D2, and other captured droids are lowered by a rope. The spaceship then flies away. A massive droid seizes C-3PO and puts him in a container with other droids. R2-D2 retaliates by splashing the giant droid with water. The giant droid responds by splashing R2-D2 with water and grabbing him. C-3PO watches in despair as he is transported away in the container speeder, wishing that Master Mungo was present.
R2-D2 is brought to a cell inside a large fortress. A small spherical droid repairs him, and he finds himself overlooking the walls of a large stone fortress. The spherical droid guides him to the Biitu droid harem, which is filled with astromech droids enjoying oil baths. A butler droid welcomes R2-D2, stating that their master, the Great Heep, wants all R2 units to relax and enjoy themselves. R2-D2 is confused.
C-3PO and a group of droids stand in a line outside the large fortress, which is revealed to be a Fuel-ore processing plant. A floating droid announces the arrival of the Great Heep, a massive Abominor with wheels, who informs the new droids that their purpose is to serve him and Biitu for the rest of their existence. C-3PO becomes alarmed. The Great Heep warns that any droids caught attempting to escape will be used for scrap. The massive droid takes an interest in C-3PO and grabs him.
When C-3PO tells him that Mungo Baobab is his master, the Great Heep laughs loudly before dropping C-3PO. The Great Heep orders one of his droid servants to bring him an R2 unit to recharge. He shows C-3PO the captive Mungo, who is held in a cage. Great Heep tells C-3PO that they captured Mungo when the Empire took control of the colony and established the mine. C-3PO speaks to the captive Mungo, who is happy to see the protocol droid. Mungo inquires about the crew and ship, but C-3PO is unaware of their whereabouts. C-3PO believes that the Great Heep and his followers only capture droids.
The servant droid returns with a red R2 unit and throws him into the Great Heep's mouth. Mungo explains that the Great Heep uses R2 units to recharge himself. C-3PO fears for R2-D2 while watching the Great Heep consume the red R2, which is reduced to a golden shell. The Great Heep orders that C-3PO be assigned to the lube crew. Two sludgegulpers assign C-3PO with carrying a load, causing C-3PO to complain. Other droids are forced to transport large rocks containing ore into the factory.
C-3PO asks Mungo what happened. Mungo explains that the location on Biitu was once a prosperous farm colony until the Great Heep arrived with the moisture eater. He explains that the moisture eater's tower draws in all the rainfall, keeping it completely dry so that the Great Heep can extract the fuel ore. Mungo tells him that the people are starting to die of thirst. A guard droid demands that C-3PO give him some oil to drink. Mungo asks C-3PO to get some water from a ramp, giving him a pouch.
C-3PO walks into the cave, worrying about Mungo and R2-D2. Meanwhile, R2-D2 is enjoying himself in the droid harem with the other astromech droids. R2-D2 becomes fond of a female astromech droid, and they both bathe in the oil bath. A waiter serves another droid a high-tier special. A giant underwater claw grabs an unsuspecting R5 series astromech droid. At the same time, C-3PO finishes filling the pouch but is taken for a ride by a burrowing creature, which turns out to be Chubb and Fidge.
Fidge speaks to Chubb and also draws water from the fountain. Fidge is initially wary of C-3PO until the droid speaks the Biituian language. C-3PO warns Fidge that it is dangerous there. Fidge explains that his family needs the water and that he and Chubb got in there by digging. C-3PO tells Fidge that he can help Master Mungo. Fidge asks if Mungo is alright. The three flee from an approaching circular Gulper droid.
The Gulper droid chases them. Fidge and Chubb run out of the cave, passing Mungo's cage. They manage to hide in a box. C-3PO soon follows, but Mungo sprays the Gulper with oil, causing it to roll back into the cave. While Mungo drinks water, he tells C-3PO to follow Fidge into the pipes since Fidge may be able to show them a way out. C-3PO complies and climbs into the pipe. Mungo resolves to destroy the moisture eater.
At the same time, Admiral Terrinald Screed's cargo ship lands outside the Great Heep's ore factory. Admiral Screed asks if the first shipment of ore fuel is ready to load. The Great Heep confirms that it is ready and will prepare it for loading. He also claims that the captive Mungo Baobab is no longer a threat. He shows Screed the captive Baobab. Screed taunts Baobab that the Empire beat him and the Baobab Merchant Fleet to Biitu first.
Mungo argues that the fuel rightfully belongs to the people of Biitu. Screed replies that the drought will force them out. Mungo responds that the drought will kill the Biituians. Screed tells Mungo that he will take him back in hibernation since the Emperor considers him an important prisoner. Mungo vows to escape.
Later that night, a stormtrooper is on guard duty as a labor droid loads ore into the ship. C-3PO also returns in the night, telling Mungo that he has been unable to find Fidge. C-3PO also fears that R2-D2 will be turned into food for the Great Heep. Mungo realizes that R2-D2 has been taken to the Great Heep's harem. C-3PO is surprised by Fidge and Chubb, who emerge from their hiding place.
Mungo is also happy to see Fidge, who has brought a saw. C-3PO translates for Fidge, who explains that there is a network of pipes under the quarry. Fidge believes they can use them to return to the village. Baobab realizes that the people of Biitu can't survive for much longer. Mungo decides to escape offworld to seek help on a cargo ship. He thinks he can't fly the ship alone. C-3PO suggests using an R2 unit to connect to the ship's control system and fly the ship. At Mungo's suggestion, C-3PO asks Fidge if he can help him find a way into the droid harem.
Fidge tells C-3PO and Baobab that there is a way into the harem beyond the palace guards. Mungo sends C-3PO to accompany Fidge to rescue R2-D2. Baobab begins sawing through the bars, determined to get aboard the ship before morning. Meanwhile, C-3PO along with Fidge and Chubb climb out of a tunnel, which leads to a stairwell that takes them into the droid harem. Inside the harem, R2-D2 is flirting with a female astromech droid named KT-10.
C-3PO, Fidge, and Chubb hold onto a long stone structure. Below, the Great Heep summons his servants to bring him a pink astromech droid. C-3PO loses his grip on the stone but grabs a lasso that brings him into the droid harem. He finds R2-D2 within the droid harem. R2-D2 is delighted to see him. C-3PO tells R2-D2 and the other astromechs that the Great Heep is not a kind individual and plans to destroy them. An underwater claw grabs R2-D2's pink companion, startling the droids. As C-3PO reiterates his warning, the droids are startled by the screams of KT-10. After C-3PO tells R2-D2 that Master Mungo needs him, he is grabbed by the Great Heep. Fidge and Chubb manage to evade attention. C-3PO pleads for help.
Later, R2-D2 parachutes down the battlements and lands on top of a speeder transport. Near dusk, Mungo is sawing through the bars when Admiral Screed arrives with a pair of stormtroopers and a spherical medical droid to put him into hibernation before his delivery to the Emperor.
As the droid approaches Baobab, Fidge distracts the Imperials long enough for Mungo to kick through a weak point in the prison bars, allowing him to escape. Mungo flees down the tunnels with Fidge and Chubb. Meanwhile, R2-D2 arrives in the Great Heep's junkyard where he discovers the metal husk of KT-10. He attempts to revive her but is caught by a giant magnet which is connected to the Great Heep. The Great Heep intends to feed on R2-D2 but the astromech breaks free of the magnet and lands on the conveyer belt, infuriating the Abominor.
R2-D2 flees through the factory as the Great Heep orders his minions to seal the exits. Elsewhere, a dissection droid ties C-3PO to an operating table. C-3PO begs the droid not to cut him up but the dissection droid ignores his pleas. C-3PO activates a button that causes the operating table to spring up. He ends up on the conveyer belt system. Meanwhile, R2-D2 leads one of the Great Heep's minions on a chase, with his pursuer falling into a vat of molten metal. R2-D2 soon arrives and uses a laser cutter to help C-3PO escape the conveyer belt.
He and C-3PO slide down a chute. R2-D2 and C-3PO get trapped inside a canister which the Great Heep intends to load into a trash incinerator where laser guns dismantle mantle. They escape the chamber. Meanwhile, Mungo along with Fidge and Chubb use a garbage chute to infiltrate the Great Heep's fuel ore processing plant. He resolves to rescue R2-D2 but tells Fidge that they have to get another droid if they can't rescue R2-D2. While Mungo is initially unwilling to involve Fidge in the rescue mission, he convinces Mungo that he and Chubb can dig tunnels. Baobab lets them continue with the mission.
He soon encounters C-3PO and R2-D2. Mungo is relieved to see them and tells them that Fidge has gone into the harem to find R2-D2. Baobab is worried about Fidge's safety. Meanwhile, Admiral Screed orders a stormtrooper to keep an eye out for the fugitive Baobab and not to let anyone but droids aboard the cargo ship. Mungo plans to hijack the Imperial ship and use its turbolasers to destroy the moisture eater. Mungo disguises himself as a droid with the help of C-3PO and R2-D2.
Meanwhile, Fidge and Chubb exit a tunnel which leads to the mountain. The two steal a bulldozer but Fidge has trouble controlling the vehicle and almost rolls it over the edge of a cliff. Outside the cargo ship, C-3PO and a disguised Mungo carry a crate containing R2-D2 aboard the ship. They walk past the stormtrooper sentry, who notices a metal foot dropping. Back on the mountain, Fidge manages to regain control of the bulldozer, which they use to force their way into the droid harem. The astromech droids gather around them.
Meanwhile, Mungo along with R2-D2 and C-3PO enter the Imperial ship's cockpit. Mungo gets R2-D2 to start up the ship but a beacon alerts Admiral Screed, who realizes that someone is interfering with the ship's navigational system. Mungo orders his stormtroopers to catch Baobab. Posing as a droid, Mungo complains about his alleged rusty and disheveled state. However, he drops his gloves and the stormtroopers realize he is Mungo.
Mungo fights with the stormtroopers, who are armed with pikes. The stormtroopers are shaken when the stolen Imperial cargo ship lifts off. An enraged Screed orders the turbolasers to open fire on the stolen ship. R2-D2 mans the controls. Shortly later, Fidge and Chubb return with he bulldozer and the liberated astromech droids. They watch as R2-D2 dodges the turbolasers. Fidge uses the bulldozer to demolish the turbolasers and to drive away the stormtroopers. The droids pursue the Imperials and take the captive with the help of Fidge and Chubb.
An enraged Great Heep demands to know what is going on. He dismisses Screed as incompetent fool. Screed calls the Great Heep a lumbering junk heap who is obsessed with his droid harem. The Heep insults Screed but the Admiral blames his droids for letting out the astromech droid. R2-D2 rains down ore on Screed and the Great Heep before shooting at the moisture eater. Mungo and Fidge cheer.
The Great Heep orders his Gulpers to unite into a larger machine, which they struggle with. Meanwhile, R2-D2 uses the Imperial cargo ship to attack the moisture eater. The Gulpers form a large repulsorlift vehicle armed with turbolasers. R2-D2 leads them on a chase and causes them to crash into large sheets of wreckage. Mungo and the others cheer as the Gulpers are driven away by the hijacked ship.
Laughing, the Great Heep hurls a disc at R2-D2's ship, damaging it and causing it to crash. R2-D2 flies the stricken ship into the moisture eater, destroying the giant tower. C-3PO is distraught by the presumed loss of his friend and begins crying. Just then, it starts raining again. Admiral Screed flees while the enraged Great Heep pursues C-3PO, Mungo, Fidge, and Chubb. Mungo saves Fidge. The Great Heep attempts to crush them but his right arm is struck by lightning, severing it. Heavy rain pours through the hole in the Abominor's arm, short-circuiting his systems and causing him to break down.
Following the defeat of the Great Heap and the destruction of the moisture eater, Biitu begins healing and grass starts to grow back. While the Biituians take the Imperials prisoner, Mungo reassures Fidge that his people will have no trouble restoring the crops with the help of the Imperial prisoners. Fidge is happy. A defeated Admiral Screed vows the fight is not over. Mungo praises R2-D2 for being a hero but C-3PO is still mourning his friend's loss.
C-3PO toys with a sonic capsule, which was a birthday present from R2-D2. To C-3PO's delight, R2-D2 survived the crash due to his parachute. Mungo, C-3PO, Fidge and Chubb hug the astromech droid. C-3PO is relieved that his droid friend survived. R2-D2 also tends to KT-10. With the help of the other astromechs, R2-D2 restores her back to functionality. The Biituians also cheer and repurpose the late Great Heep into an ornamental structure.
Mungo is contacted by Captain Cag, who asks if it say to enter Biitu. Baobab reassures the captain that it is safe. The villagers and droids watch as Captain Cag's ship lands. C-3PO says that he loves a happy ending.