Rig Nema

"All I can tell you, is I have scanned Master Yoda three times and I find nothing wrong with him. I am not an expert on his biology, but from my point of view, he is in perfect health."

- Doctor Rig Nema

Rig Nema was a female Jedi doctor who served the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars, the full-scale conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

At some time during the war, one of Doctor Nema's patients was no one else but Grand Master Yoda, who had started to hear the disembodied voice of the late Master Qui-Gon Jinn, much to the Jedi Council's concern.

Biography
"I would like to suggest something: a deprivation ritual. It is a dangerous procedure, but one that will without question allow Yoda to go to the source of this voice whatever, whoever it may be."

- Doctor Rig Nema

A female humanoid, Rig Nema was a Jedi who served as a doctor at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant towards the end of the Galactic Republic. During the Clone Wars, Doctor Nema was in charge of an important patient: Yoda, the Grand Master of the Jedi Order.

Some time earlier, the diminutive Master would have spoken with Qui-Gon Jinn, who had been murdered by the Sith Lord Darth Maul during the Battle of Naboo. The rest of the Jedi Council was very worried about Yoda's health and sanity. Jinn was dead and, as far as they knew, it was impossible for anyone, even a Jedi, to retain their individuality after death. Master Ki-Adi-Mundi suspected that what was happening to the Grand Master was "a deception by the Sith."

In the Jedi Temple medical ward, Doctor Nema examined Yoda several times, and found that the Grand Master was in good health. However, she detected that a part of his brain was more active than normal, but deduced that it was probably due to Yoda's advanced age. Far from being reassured, Master Mundi warned Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi that the powerful bond between Yoda and Count Dooku&mdash;who had been trained by the Grand Master&mdash;could have allowed the Sith Lord to get into Yoda's mind and manipulate him.

Nema subsequently suggested to perform a deprivation ritual, so Yoda could find the answers he was looking for. It was a risky procedure that consisted in putting Yoda into a tank and progressively depriving him of oxygen. This way he would get close to death and enter a deep meditative state. During the ritual, Yoda heard Jinn's voice once more, who told him to go to the planet of Dagobah in order to complete what he could not. He also advised him to travel alone and to not tell anyone about his destination. When Yoda's vital signs became critical, Kenobi ordered Nema to interrupt the procedure, which she eventually did.

Nema, Kenobi, Mundi, and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker then contacted Master Windu via hologram. Kenobi informed him that Yoda was convinced that he had talked to the dead, which led Windu to ask Nema her opinion. The Jedi doctor declared that Yoda was physically fine, but that she was not so sure about his spiritual state.

Back in the medical bay, Doctor Nema advised Yoda to rest, and then left the room when Skywalker came to see the Grand Master, as the latter had requested. While she was away, Yoda fled the Jedi Temple with the Jedi Knight's help. Nema and Windu could do nothing but watch Yoda leave aboard his starfighter with Skywalker's astromech droid, R2-D2.

Personality and traits
"I am prescribing nothing but bed rest for you now, Master Yoda."

- Doctor Rig Nema

Doctor Nema was a humanoid female of an unidentified species with golden eyes and yellow skin. She was meticulous and professional in her work. When Yoda was her patient, she examined him several times to confirm her diagnosis, constantly checked his vital signs, and regularly made her report to the Jedi Council about his health.

She did not hesitate to suggest dangerous procedures, like the deprivation ritual, in order to help her patient. As soon as the situation became too alarming for Yoda's life, Master Kenobi ordered Nema to immediately stop the ritual, which she was reluctant to do. She had warned about the risks the deprivation ritual could represent, and seemed to be surprised when she was told to interrupt it. Kenobi insisted, and she complied.

Powers and abilities
Jedi Doctor Nema was a Jedi, carrying a green-bladed lightsaber, as well as a doctor. She used her medical expertise to help Master Yoda, however, she admitted that she was not familiar with his species' biology.

Behind the scenes
Rig Nema made her first appearance in "Voices," the eleventh episode of The Lost Missions, the sixth and final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She was voiced by Catherine Taber, who also portrayed Senator Padmé Amidala in the series.

Her first name is never mentioned in the episode, as she is only called "Doctor Nema" or simply "Doctor." It is revealed in the end credits and the StarWars.com episode guide.

The character's appearance was actually based on an early concept design for Mace Windu. It was drawn by Iain McCaig during pre-production for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.