Now, I'm certain I'm not the only one a little confused by this. The story as we know of them is that after Goku defeated Frieza on Namek at the peak of Namek's demise, Goku escaped via a space pod belonging to a member of the Ginyu Force, and wound up on Planet Yardrat, where we spends a year recovering from his battle, having his pod fixed up for his return to Earth, and learning the Instant Transmission tehcnique. Other than a fancy Yardrat attire for Goku, this is all we know about his visit.
So the question I would like to know is what is the origin of this particular Yardrat member from U2? (I'm shortening Universe 2 to U2 now, not to be confused with Ireland's worst band)
Did Goku's Ginyu-pod take him across to another universe?
I think this is the more unlikely option. It's theorized that the reason Goku ended up on Planet Yardrat is because it was the next waypoint on the Ginyu's map, which likely would lead to an invasion or attack. It's somewhat implied that Frieza is aware of there being more than one universe in existance. Though powerful, I don't see Frieza being idiotic enough to set his own maffia to attack a planet outside of his own universe, as this would anger the God of Destruction from another universe, and I put it to Frieza to have more common sense than that by this point.
Is this Yardrat from Universe 7, and fighting for Universe 2?
Again, I think this is rather unlikely. The Yardrat race is explained to be quite a weak race. Unless this member is for the sole purpose of medic, I don't see a reason for a weak race to be on a team that is designed for absolute survival.
Is this a Universe 2 equivalent?
I would say this is most likely. We have seen Saiyans in Universe 7 and 6 now, and even though they're bother/sister universes, I don't think it'll be entirely impossible, or even too unlikely that there are some repeated planets throughout the universes. This would be a more favourable answer to me than having a weak U7 variant in their team; why would a being from U7 fight against U7's survival anyway?
Did the writers just not think things through?
Probably.
What are your thoughts? Have I missed anything out? I'd like to hear some more theories or strength/weakness to existing ones.