Somehow R2D2 showed up (8)

I believe the answer is:

appeared

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'showed up' is the definition.
(both can mean arrived)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for appeared that I've seen before include "Seemed - came into view" , "published" , "Seemed - performed - emerged" , "Came into sight" , "Turned up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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