I’m convinced Plutarch has a secret Katniss Everdeen stan card! He geeks out every time she snaps and I relate 💅🏽 ✨Full Length Reaction On Patreon: patreon.com/MichelleNeedsaHobby Join to watch The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2!
The thing I love about the “triangle” is that it cuts to something deeper than just romance. Peeta and Gale represent two dueling ideologies within Katniss-anger, rebellion, and fighting fire with fire, or peace, hope, and empathy. She of course had to stand up with the rebellion, but Peeta taught her to use diplomacy when possible and pay attention to nuance. That it wasn’t as simple as “us vs them.” Something Gale failed to distinguish, as evidenced in later movies (no spoilers of course!) Something they discussed in the books but not the movies is the fact that the day after Peeta threw her the bread, she saw the first dandelion poking up through the snow. It represented hope, and she always linked that to Peeta. He was her “dandelion in the spring.”
Yep. Spoilers: Gale is willing to do anything and everything, including genocide, in order to "win". He's a winning by any means kind of person, and Peeta is able to remember that Capitol people are still people. They were people who allowed terrible things to happen, they were bystanders as their government tortured and killed and everything else that happened, but they were also victims of their society. And Effie (and the stylists in the books) show that most of them aren't evil, they might be thoughtless and ignorant, but that doesn't mean they deserve to die. Gale kind of ignores all that and just wants to drop bombs and commit war crimes.
One of the things we learn in the book is that Peeta said many of those things attempting to protect Johanna and Annie. Yes, he was being tortured, but so were they. And yeah, Snow trafficked children. I’m glad you gave Finnick’s speech the attention it deserves. So many just gloss right over it.
Literally finnick was an actual s*x slave for the capitol leaders as a kid. I feel like if katniss never rebelled and she won the games she could have suffered the same fate as a “capitol favorite”
@@YenellyT and during the tour when they were in the capital the men were touching Katniss as she passed by like the perves they were imagining using her.
When Joanna says during second movie’s games “he can’t hurt me, there is no one left that I love.” That comment is so very telling….. I dont know if you have been informed but Mags was also an Avox just like Pollux.(had her tongue cut out by the capital) I don’t know if you noticed the people in their like dinning room while in the capital they kind of dress in what look like white strips of fabric with while masks that kind of obscure their faces …. They are also Avox…. About the Gale thing…. Katniss in the books constantly makes comments to herself and others like “how could anyone bring achild into this world knowing the state of things…. She never thought even for a second about having children. She does love Gale at the moment… he is her protective older brother…. She is also I think 2 yrs younger than him I think … he is in a different head space about that sort of thing than him…. Ok I’m going to wait till the end to get how you feel about Gale… at this point Gale is just annoying in a petty jealous way lol… just let’s revisit the Gale thing when you are done… 🤐
I think Katniss kept saying they should have saved Peeta because she knew he was better at rallying/speaking/motivating. Plus she didn't want the responsibility and was crumbling under the stress. And on top of all of that, she missed him and was realizing how much she actually loved him. It's all heartbreaking 💔
The Hanging Tree song is iconic for a number of reasons. Public execution in Panem has been happening since before President Snow came into power. We get so much more info and lore in A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Very excited for that movie! Also- you’re NOT reading too much into Finnick’s monologue. Snow absolutely did pimp out the victors. It’s horrible. Back when Katniss won as Peeta’s girlfriend, he very much saved her in more ways than one when he went on that first interview with Caesar Flickeman.
A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes *really* gives some closure to the whole story, despite it being set 60+ years before the trilogy. Loved the book, but I'm afraid they'll make a mess with the movie.
Wow Peeta and Katniss literally saved each other with the whole romance thing from becoming Capitol prostitutes😨 Most people don’t understand how lucky they were to have each other! ❤
Yes girl it is what you think they did to Finnick. His charming and charismatic persona was a way he practically survived. During his interview in the quarter quell, I do believe that he meant all that and was geared towards Annie, the only person he truly fell in love with. He’d do anything for her, and it’s also bc of how threatened he was by Snow that he never mentioned her name. He knew he was watching, so that they never use her/threaten/k*ll her. She was his secret. I think they got her because of how Joanna mentioned her during the games. Also, it’s believed/rumored that the wanted to do the same to Joanna. However, knowing how she is she refused & eventually obliterated her family & loved ones. Hence the reason why she when she was talking shit about Snow and the games during it in the forest she mentioned, “what? They can’t hurt me. There’s no one left that I love”. To me, it’s quite believable bc it happened to Haymitch. His siblings, mother, & girlfriend were k*lled when he returned from his games bc he defied the capital. Joanna refusing is technically an act of defiance. Ughhh they deserved better.
No, Snow knew about Annie before then. he probably watched them like he did with Katniss and Gale's kiss. Because before Johanna talked about Annie. The Jabberjays happened, Annie was the voice he heard and screamed. Johanna only started talking about her when Katniss asked after Johanna got her some water and returned some of her arrows.
They were definitely already using Annie against Finnick before Johanna mentioned her by name. They already had her voice to use against Finnick with the Jabberjays. I think they probably even fixed the drawing for her name to be picked for the Quell specifically to hurt him, and Mags volunteered to protect her because she loved Finnick like family.
Finnick was Annie‘s mentor and she most likely (but maybe not bc of her mental state) also mentored someone, and in the capitol they are pretty much always watched
And to think Peeta and Katniss saved each other from the same fate just by going with the star crossed lovers thing… they were lucky to have each other❤
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it, but when Katniss and Prim's father died in a coal mine collapse, their mother had a mental breakdown. So, Katniss had to step in and be a mother to Prim and a caregiver for the family. She raised Prim. She learned to hunt to feed her family. She became mother and father.
Katniss' relationship was more maternal than sisterly. In the first book it discusses how when Katniss' father died, her mother shut down and she had to take over as the care taker for both Prim and her mother.
In regards to Peeta’s leg: A prosthetic looked too obvious and they didn’t have the budget to CGI a more futuristic looking one so they just cut the storyline altogether.
It's also a much more inconvenient change than she realizes. Sticking someone in a wheelchair is easy. You just sit down. Rocking a CGI prosthetic leg is not only more CGI effort but it also requires the actor to move completely differently or it won't be believable. Imo that change is just not worth it even if they had the budget to do it. They show plenty of trauma to get the point across. The whole point of this series is the mental trauma... most of them brush off physical trauma like nothing.
@@MrSmexyPain This. Looking back the leg wouldn't have made a lot of a difference. There's the interesting line in the books around the expression of Katniss' trauma directly after the first games and a few tidbits around the second games, but I don't recall it even playing a role after that in the books. On top, physical trauma isn't a thing with the Hunger Games Trilogy, I'd think. Like you wrote, the main point is on mental trauma. Physical trauma is something that needs to be shown somewhat slow and in full pictures, and the mental component would've left behind around that. So cutting that sideline helps to distribute more time and attention into other, more present details.
I dislike Gale because he is so possessive when it comes to Katniss. I understand being in love with a person and sad they have feelings for someone else, but Gale takes it to the next level. While movie Gale isn't as bad, books Gale is horrible. Every time Katniss looks at or talks to a guy, he gets all pissy about it. Case and point, when Katniss talks to Finnick while everyone is in the bunker after 13 gets bombed, Gale has the nerve to try and guilt Katniss for not coming to speak with him instead. He never tries to understand that there are people who have gone through the games that can understand her like he can't. Of course, though, his biggest sin comes in the next movie, and the fact that he didn't allow himself to be talked out of what he indirectly causes is why he will not be forgiven. His attitude is too extreme, and others suffer for it.
Gale started working in the mine after his last Reaping. So, he had been working in the mine for a year since Katniss' 1st Hunger Games. He is now 19 yrs old & Katniss is 17yrs old. Before that, he was hanging out w/Katniss hunting & taking care of his younger brothers. They were not allowed to work in the mine before age 18 because they were to be possible tributes for the hunger games. The only time kids could work was if they were learning a skilled trade like Peeta in the bakery. Gale & Katniss would hunt as much game as they could carry to trade for things they needed. Katniss would sometimes give a couple of squirrels/a rabbit to Peeta's dad the baker for a couple of rolls/a loaf of bread without Peeta's mom finding out. In the book, U see how cruel Peeta's mom is in how afraid her family is of her. I don't want to spoil anything for u that is why I won't mention the main reason why I don't like Gale. Plus, the fact that he expects Katniss to love him over Peeta because of what he has done for her & her family, & the whole I liked u 1st. It's like she is his reward for helping her out. @ least, that's how I see it. When Gale told Katniss "There is no District 12....", he does tell Katniss that he got their families out. Gale does have admirable traits in his protectiveness toward others & his want to fight against injustice. But, him dissing on Peeta. "I'd never say those things not even if they put a gun to my head..." He could say that because he was not in Peeta's situation & he did not know what the Capitol was doing to Peeta. 😮There r far worse things than putting a gun to ones head. U were hearing correctly about Finnick. Snow pimped Finnick to gain information about his foes. That's why when he 1st met Katniss he said that he traded in secrets, not money & asked what hers were. I think that's everything I wanted to touch on. Another great reaction & commentary from u.👍 Next up the finale. 😊
While I agree with pretty much everything you said - I think Johanna would agree with Gale. The only reason Peeta is doing those interviews is to protect Katniss (& possibly distract 12), Gale and Johanna’s way would kill (and for Johanna, did kill) their loved ones.
@@Vialle1014 I don't believe it's entirely true. If I remember correctly and I'm pretty sure I do. He was tortured, YES, but most of all, they tortured him by beating up people and torturing them in front of him. People from his district like Darius (and also Johanna and Annie...)... So it was NOT just to save Katniss. Him saying what they wanted in those interviews was because we wanted to protect others too. He was always so nice and thinking about others that the best torture was to hurt someone else... So sad.
10:30 also realize Haymich was the mentor year after year for tributes that always died in the games. Explains why he is so cynical at the beginning of the 1st movie.
Yes, Peeta was forced to say what he did at the Capital but it was not in fear of his life . Hie brain was hijacked with a drug -- a kind of brainwashing -- and tortured. Consider what he said to Katniss before their first Hunger Games. What he feared most, he told her, was being turned into someone he was not. Makes his hijacking more poignant and heartbreaking. I don't hate Gale but he is not the kind of man who attracts me. I'm all for Peeta, a man of quiet courage and not flashy bravado. Gale is fiery like the sun. Peeta is a peaceful sunset. So glad you saw Josh Hutcherson's great performance along with Jennifer Lawrence's. Most people miss that. At some point, you need to see one of his early movies ("Bridge to Terabithia" for instance or "Zathura") when he was a child.:
I don’t think Katniss’s “one track mind” for Peeta is attributed to the YA love story. I think to understand this you really have to read the novels because it can go missed in the movie. Katniss’s near obsession with Peeta is best described as Katniss is to the ppl’s hope as Peeta is to Katniss’s hope. Ppl wanted Katniss to show up and perform and give more because she’s the hope for the ppl but Peeta had become her hope. How could she really give herself in that way, be the hope, when she was without it. (Her hope being taken and tortured far away). He grounded her. And when you look at it that way it become less about a teenage love story and more about the hero’s battle vs the ppl’s battle. It’s really interesting.
oh man this defense of gale may not age well i don't disagree, he has definitely been through a lot of trauma (although he did only recently start working the mines, he hasn't been doing it for years) BUT i think defending him this strongly when only half way done with the series means you can't see the full picture yet and there's a legitimate reason a lot of people don't like him, it's not the "love triangle" part so much as something else that happens in the next movie, which i won't spoil obviously if you've only seen the first two, then it would look like the dislike for gale by many fans was largely unfounded and i would agree... but the story keeps going and things change up until then, i didn't dislike him that much - i didn't really like him, but that's just because i wasn't a huge fan of his character and personality, but i didn't dislike him
Yeah like I actually understand game, he’s a multilayered character who has been through a lot of trauma himself and it’s understandable why he feels angry and thinks the way he does. Even though it doesn’t excuse his actions. For me as well it’s not the love triangle aspect that annoys me with him, it’s the dismissal of Katniss feelings and trauma while he’s at it. He should understand Katniss and he sympathetic but he focuses more on his love for her: and being mad when she talks to any boy, not even just peeta. It’s just so aggravating
@@clover2739 agreed, he doesn't really try to understand her actions - he just feels hurt by them, even though obviously that's not her fault i also feel like i remember (but could be wrong, it's been a couple years since i read the books) that he was talking to other girls..... or maybe it was a bunch of girls talking about him lol but if he was talking to other girls then it's even more completely unfair
@@SkwithOv you are absolutely right with what you remember! It’s both! Gale is popular amongst the woman in district 12 and in mockingjay he even says to Katniss he’s killed that many girls that he doesn’t remember how many… yet he gets mad at Katniss for talking to finnick and he calls him desperate, when finnick is a 24 year old who’s literally braking down over Annie being held captive in the capitol
people keep watching the games because they HAVE to - i'm pretty sure it's the law, for the people in the districts, that they have to watch the games unless they're like, actively dying so saying people should just stop watching isn't simple and will actively put people at risk i agree with a lot of what gale said in the first book, but the last one really changes how a lot of people felt about him so since you're not there yet, you won't understand why people don't like him it's not because of him being in a love triangle and people just liking peeta more, it's not because he works hard and is traumatized (he does do little things like not understanding why katniss was kissing peeta and being upset at her for doing what she had to do to survive, but overall...)
i don't think gale is a bad person, he even helped get people out of district 12 and he did a lot to help like, a LOT it's just that some people think what happens in the last movie is unforgivable, myself included
This is a Catching Fire comment. Maybe someone pointed this out; When they are running from the fog, Peeta put his body on top of Katniess to protect her from the fog. Thus he got very injured. Leg or not, he visibility uses his body as a literal sheid!! Everyone dogging Peeta for stumbling through the forest and he's whole injured!!!!
Also if it wasn’t obvious, that fog didn’t just hurt them superficially…. It went into the nervous system and the more your muscles were being used the more the fog could penetrate and damage the muscles…. By the time she couldn’t carry Peeta anymore his limbs were jerking so uncontrollably that he couldn’t even crawl…. It isn’t just that he was hurt …. It was so much more
Yeah I’m really not sure why people get on him for that because exposure to chemical agents is no joke. Nerve agents in particular. Your whole body shuts down. It was amazing they could run at all once the fog touched their skin.
I believe that when Suzanne Collins (the author) originally wrote it that Gale was actually Katniss’ cousin and there was no love triangle (which I think would have been a much better way to go) but it was rewritten because the publishers wanted that YA love triangle as was popular at the time especially with Twilight having just come out around the same time
@@peikathryn in the finished published version yes the those in district 12 said he was her cousin so that he and his family wouldn’t get in the way of Katniss and Peeta’s “romance” but I think she said that it was her original plan to actually make him Katniss’ cousin, though it was changed before the books were published to adhere to the popular love triangle trope at the time
I love how she kept that detail in, though. Paraphrasing here, but I remember Katniss describing Gale and herself saying “we could be cousins” 😂 People in the Seam look a lot alike because of how isolated the gene pool is.
The last scene of him (Phillip as Plutarch) clapping for Coin's speech is in the same 'recording session' (unseen part of the scene) that they use for his final scene in the franchise.
I too understand and sympathize with Gale. HOWEVER If there was ever a choice between him and Peeta (and I don’t mean for Katniss romantically, I just mean as characters/people) I WILL FOREVER CHOOSE PEETA Also yes, Finnick meant what you think he meant. He and Haymitch went through so much shit and I love them so much. I’d love to talk once you read the books. Hit me up so we can analyze/rant 😂
@@j0j01192What do you expect? He is a nearly perfect character that’s super selfless. One of the only true good people in the movie which is why Katniss wants to save him so bad
I wouldn’t say I’m a Gale hater persay, however, I think his behavior towards Katniss for literally just trying to survive in the Hunger Games was uncalled for. They weren’t a couple beforehand and he’d NEVER told her of his feelings for her, that katniss didn’t even reciprocate whatsoever. I just think it’s pathetic that katniss comes back with all this trauma and he’s like “why did you kiss him and not meeeeeeeee” like it’s just not defendable. The love triangle is a bunch of bullshit. Like what’s not clicking that she’s not mentally stable enough to be having a relationship with anyone but let’s cry about gale’s trauma of taking care of his family, the same thing katniss had to do WITHOUT the support of anyone until he came along and begrudgingly became her friend. Gale had a mother, a great one, the movies just decided not to mention her along with his brothers except for briefly.
Katniss did reciprocate Gales feelings after her 1st game, she chose Gale. “Gale knows I chose him over Peeta when I didn’t make a run for it. To me, there’s no point in talking about things that might have been.” “Since I don’t plan on making it back alive a second time, the sooner Gale let’s me go, the better. I do plan on saying one or two things to him …. How much better my life has been for knowing him. For loving him, even if it’s in the limited way I can manage”. When she was forced into the quell, she pushed herself to let go off everyone except for Peeta. Her dying wish was to save Peeta. I do believe she truly cared for him at that point but it wasn’t until the game itself that it maybe became more. Also, I think that is why she is so focused on him after he was captured, not because she loved him but because she had decided he was to be saved and they had all failed him.
@@Kodisage she stayed because Gale couldn’t leave, she stayed FOR GALE. I respect that you have your opinion but I think I will go with her actual thoughts from the book where she flat out says she chose him.
@@Vialle1014 she stayed because she couldn’t take care of prim and her mom alone in the woods. If you actually read the book they explain all of it there.
@@Kodisage - Well, that is pretty condescending and rude. I have read the books multiple times. My opinion is still that she stayed for Gale and to fight with him, for him. We are both entitled to our own opinions. “Gale is mine. I am his. Anything else is unthinkable. Why did it take him being whipped within an inch of his life to see it?” “At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead. The hard thing is finding the courage to do it. Well, it’s not hard for Gale. He was born a rebel. I’m the one making an escape plan. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. I lean forward and kiss him. His eyelashes flutter and he looks at me through a haze of opiates. “Hey, Catnip.” “Hey, Gale,” I say. “Thought you’d be gone by now,” he says. My choices are simple. I can die like quarry in the woods or I can die here beside Gale. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay right here and cause all kinds of trouble.””
I always have felt that the books explain and illuminate the relationship between Gale & Katniss way better and more clearly. They weren't romantic -- they were best friends but never had been romantic. So it reads like he just suddenly has feelings for her because it looks like she wants someone else -- the typical "I only want her once I can't have her" thing, which is very unlikeable haha. But in the movies they didn't really make that super clear. They very much make it seem more like they had a thing prior to her going to the Games
The thing about gale is that suzanne collins originally wrote him to be katniss’s cousin but collin’s publishers pushed her to make it a love triangle to capitalize off of the team edward/team jacob thing from twilight. I think I would have preferred that, BUT collins integrated the love triangle into the story in such an interesting way where it represents something more than ‘who katniss will choose’ in the wider narrative
Philip Seymour Hoffman died of a mixed drug overdose...he was a recovering addict who had recently relapsed. There was no suspicion or report of su!cide by loved ones or officials. Still sad no matter what. He was such a talent.
I personally don't enjoy Gale's character. However, I really appreciate your read on him and the way you understand his complexities. So many people see a character they don't like and then just stop thinking about them and refuse to analyze their motivations any further. It's very refreshing to see someone acknowledge that they ARE children. They're all kids and they are not even a little equipped for any of the situations they're in. And they're just doing the best they can. I also love seeing someone else having the same emotional response I do to the bombing of the power dam. Everyone who went to blow it up died, and they all knew it. It's so powerful as a scene and so many people gloss over it. It's actually my favorite scene in the series.
I love that you take the time to share your thoughts in-depth. I don't think I've come across another reaction RU-vidr who goes beyond just reacting in the moment to this extent! :)
Same, i just found her and its refreshing. The only other first time reactor to THG movies is the channel Badd Medicine, they are a group of dads that have never seen them, I recommend them!
1:00:20 yes, yes and yes, that’s what he meant in the book. It goes a little bit more into detail of the idea of being a slave to the capital in that manner you get the impression it’s male or female it doesn’t matter who buys you that’s why he figured out secrets were the best
56:02 in the book Prim was told to go and the mom stayed with the patients that were mobile were moved down there so she thought Prim was already there
No one talks about this but considering this was added and was not in the books (with them being in first person and all) it is so good! People write off the last two movies but moments like the dam scene really hammer home the people beyond our main characters on the ground making sacrifices, which is gravely needed in a story about revolution!
Im late to this i know but just wanted to say that in the book, Katniss mentions that she feels dumb for not making the connection sooner about Snow using Peeta to hurt her. You have to remember, she's 17 and shes been through such intense trauma that her brain isnt connecting all the dots as quickly as a more mature brain would. You earned a sub with this reactions! I think you have amazing energy and cant wait to see more from you!
I will accept no Peeta slander. Peeta was being tortured and going along with the interviews because he thinks his family and 12 are still alive. When he realises and hears Katniss's voice it breaks through and he warns them. Heartbreaking. He was scared the capitol would turn him into something he wasnt 😢💔
if you’re planning on reading the books i think it would be really cool if you did a video or smth maybe talking about the series w that extra perspective and extra info, because you truly pick up on so much and have such good discussions and insight on things even without the inner monologue that i would love to hear your thoughts on the books, if that’s something you’d be interested in doing!!!
plus the prequel book omg, especially since it has the movie coming out soon, i think you would LOVE having the extra knowledge and insight into who Snow is as a person bc it’s very very fascinating knowing what Snow must bc thinking during thg with the added context; it’s a fantastic add on to the series!
I feel sympathy for Gale to a certain extent too. I’m not surprised he is the way he is but Peeta was just too good for that world. He was everything good like Katniss says in the books. He was always going to be the one.
1:04:34 Nope, everything you heard is correct. The good looking tributes where prostituted by the captiol when they turned 18. Johanna had refused to do this and that resulted in her family dying. That's why in Catching Fire she said "They cant hurt me. There's no one left that I love."
And to think Peeta and Katniss saved each other from the same fate just by going with the star crossed lovers thing… they were lucky to have each other❤
I noticed that so many people who read the books ages ago completely forgets that peeta loses a leg, I see it everywhere as a common thing I wonder why that happens lmao
@@clover2739 I don't know. I do remember being upset at a couple of things they changed when the movies came out but I can't remember what they were. Although I think it was little things like hair and eye color and maybe something to do with the games announcer. That's why I don't go back and reread the books. It would bother me all over again. Lol
1:01:52 yes, Finnick was forced into pr*stitution at 14… Johanna refused to do Snows bidding when she won, so he killed her entire family. Haymitch won the last Quarter Quell (50th Hunger Games) by using a kinda glitch in the force field. The capitol felt mocked by that, so his family was killed as well. God, the books are SO freaking good, I need to reread them 😅
And to think Peeta and Katniss saved each other from the same fate just by going with the star crossed lovers thing… they were lucky to have each other❤
Finnick married Annie in District 13 because he was never allowed to as a victor. He had to remain Single for all intents and purposes so the capitol could pimp him out to rich fuddy duddies.
I really like how deeply you analyzed the revolution part and being weary of Coin. And being glad that Katniss has people who actually love her and don’t just want to use her. Honestly I liked listening to all your thoughts! I’m excited for your thoughts on Part 2!
I often skip intros, but I listened to your entire commentary on this one - I love to hear how much you've thought about this and what you had to say about Gale especially. I think you'll really like reading the books!
Yes, President Snow sold Finnick off for prostitution. Johanna was also faced with the same fate but she refused which is why her family were killed off. Also part of why she was so angry that she was brought back in the games.
And to think Peeta and Katniss saved each other from the same fate just by going with the star crossed lovers thing… they were lucky to have each other❤
I adore how thoughtful you are, especially considering the propos (which were supposed to be cringy) and for the greater good. The ethical implications of cutting corners because it’s for the greater good is a deep topic and i love that you are really concerned about the implications of post-war society. You are very well spoken and thoughtful. I enjoy your reactions very much.
I wanna hear your thoughts on the Gale, Peta, and Katniss after part 2. Also it’s Cinna like Cinnamon not Cena like John Cena lol. But I love your reaction ❤
yessssssss the yellow flicker beat appreciation! Lorde was in charge of the whole soundtrack for this movie which is just an amazing album full of amazing artists (and kanye west 💀)
gale is an interesting character because obviously he is just a teenager whose been traumatised and impacted by war, especially with having to watch his entire district literally die in front of him. He comes from a place of anger which ultimately clouds his judgement. you cant blame him for the feelings he has but the way he acts about them is reckless and evil (especially in the next one which i wont spoil). he comes up with the some really fucked up ideas and plans and obviously its coming from a place of trauma but that doesnt excuse his actions. I think gale is a character that is NEEDED for the story, he represents a very real type of person who has suffered at the hands of war. Although, because of this fiery angry personality type, no matter if people like him or not it cannot be debated that he is NOT the man for Katniss. hes also suffers from Pickmeitis once you finish the last movie i recommend you read the last pages of the book it really highlights this
Gale started working in the mine around the time Katniss and Peta were first competing in the Hunger Games, because in District 12, children and teenagers are not allowed to work in the mines until they turn 18. Most people in the 12th district have to work a lot right from childhood to get food, the children of the merchants (like Peta is) start working in the family businesses as soon as they can. It was stated in the first book, but not the movie if I remember correctly, that even though Peta's family owns a bakery, he wasn't much better off than Katniss and Gale, the only difference was that his family didn't have to do illegal hunting or logging themselves for tesserae in order to have food instead they eat stale bread and Peta's family buys squirrels from Katniss and Gale. Before Katniss and Peta go back to the Hunger Games, one of Gale's brothers has to register for the tesserae because Gale is no longer a child and therefore can no longer be registered for the tesserae also because Gale refuses to get help from Katniss, because he is angry that Katniss is possibly Peta's girlfriend. Gale only kissed Katniss after she was in the Hunger Games for the first time because he felt entitled to it, being 18 then and should know that you don't just get a kiss because you "are entitled" on it." I understand that you do really like Gale when you look at the movies, but if you read the books, you get more insight, especially in book 2 and 3, which might explain why he's not the most admired character in those books.
21:55 Since I know you’ve seen the final movie, let me just say the way you so accurately described a character that you hadn’t even met yet (Coin) when you filmed this is amazing!
Everyone that District 13 took in from District 12 got put to work in whatever capacity they fit and were put through training drills to get them functioning similarly to the D13 citizens. Gale’s mindset, hunting skills, and drive made him a good fit for the military training system and he excelled within it, but he was probably advanced into the upper echelon more quickly because of his relation to Katniss. Coin wanted him to help keep tabs on Katniss.
Although the books are written as YA novels the love triangle isn't really a part of the books and also, the books are written from Katniss's view point with internal monologue so in the books that becomes clear but with the movie, I think they thought the love triangle angle would appeal more to the YA audience when I don't think they give that age group enough credit for understanding the complexity of the situation.
I love all of your thoughts on the story so far. I will say, Gale is definitely a sympathetic character. At the time I read the books, I felt sorry for him and you’re 100% correct that Gale stoked the flames of Katniss’ rebellious defiance of the Capital. I’ll withhold further commentary on him because there are things I don’t want to spoil about the end of Mockingjay Part II. My feelings on Gale were always conflicted (not because of the love triangle, which was very understated in the books), however, you’re right about him being radicalized. We’ll leave it at that, but, man did my perspective shift majorly…There was never really a chance Katniss would choose Gale. (Considering the fact Susanne Collins originally wrote them as cousins, yeah, it was always going to be Peeta. I feel like it’s not a spoiler whatsoever because even the films make it obvious lol).
During the time they are in district 13, everyone over 13 or 14 gets a strict schedule and military training. Katniss mostly ignores her schedule but Gale does go. So he does have the training. But I do think it’s weird he went tho
It was always very clear to me that Gale was radicalised by Coin and the revolution. His belief that the Capitol citizens were all complicit in the subjugation of the districts was his downfall, but I could understand why he felt the way he did even though I don't agree with it. I always took issue with him judging a very clearly sick and traumatised Peeta for parroting the government's views when he had previously admitted he believed Peeta was probably forced. Gale would've never withstood the horrific torture and brainwashing Peeta went through without inadvertently helping them also. My biggest issue with Gale, and the reason why I dislike his character, was that it seemed like he felt entitled to Katniss' love and it gave me the ick. She was clearly traumatised and had survivor's guilt and he continued to push for a 'choice' between him and Peeta when it was always made clear through Katniss' actions if not her words that she loved Peeta deeply, not only because of their bond through trauma, but because he was the best person she knew. I remember the books make it abundantly clear that Peeta doesn't care whether she loves him or not and doesn't think who she chooses or doesn't is in any way a priority given what is happening to and around them.
GIRL 😂 you talking about Gale is cracking me up. we do not hate him because of the love triangle, at least I don't. no spoilers, there is just a very different reason you have not come across yet 😬
You're one of the few reactors who didn't forget about Finnick and Annie so I was was so hopeful you would show your reaction to their reunion but then you didn't. ;-;
I'm not even 20 minutes into this, but PLEASE make more hunger games videos when you get around to reading the books!! Me and my thg tiktok fandom girlies have been eating these up. You speak about the story as passionately as we do, even not knowing exactly where it's headed, and it just makes me so happy because you GET it. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing you react, but also your commentary is so thoughtful and I love the way you actively engage with the story and make inferences. It has been a delight to experience the movies through your eyes and I'm so looking forward to the final part!!
Okay also re: Gale. I am incredibly sympathetic to his circumstances, but there are numerous conversations omitted from the movie that make it easier to dislike him. The main thing that is the nail in the coffin for most people is kept, but it's really just the final blow after quite a few instances of Gale being straight up disrespectful, dismissive, and CRUEL to Katniss over her lived experiences. He is not at all a good friend to her. For me it's not that he is a particularly bad person, its that we all know Gales in real life. His intentions are meant in earnest, but his arrogance and refusal to value insight from others limits his perspective and subsequently his potential. He COULD be better, he chooses not to be for the sake of his own cause and rigid morality. He also doesn't actually know Katniss nearly as well as he thinks he does, not because she doesn't tell him, but because he won't listen. Like he uses his own trauma as justification for unethical actions, and gets angry that Katniss refuses to do the same, and then implies that she just must not get it then, that she doesn't care as much as he does. You could be forgiven for doing one or two of these things. But all of them, plus actions I don't want to spoil? No
The thing with gale is he chose to work in the mines at 18 which is when they start working in them, because katniss victor salary can cover multiple families needs and she offered it to gale and his family and I think she secretly gave it to his mother anyway but he chose to work down there.
Your introductory analysis in this video is one of the best I have ever heard in any reaction I have seen to this series or any of the movies in the series. It was intelligent, interesting, compassionate, balanced, mature and meaningful. My ADD would normally cause me to tune out some in longer analysis, but I was interested enough in what you were saying that it kept me engaged. So impressed. Thank you.
Your intro definitely changed my view of Gale. I’m gonna say it, I was a Gale hater, but I’ve been diving more into the franchise lately and you kinda just put the icing on the cake with the depth in so many more characters I remember brushing off when I was younger.
I really appreciate your commentary on these movies!!! I am always looking for lengthy conversations about the Hunger Games because there are so many great things to discuss. Your comments on Gale I especially enjoyed.
Again love your analysis and seeing the parallels to the real world. Suzanne Collins (the author) wrote the books with exactly that in mind, to trigger this investment and questioning the many things that are going wrong in the world. Also I find it crazy how well you can see into Gale’s character just from the movies, I would assume the producers would be quite proud of their work if they’d watch this. Great reaction!
He realized the edge of the arena had a pit going all the way around and he like knocked a pebble into there and saw that it popped back up. There's some kind of trampoline effect down there so when it was down to him and the final other person he was holding his guts in his arms. One of her eyes was hanging out and she was coming at him with an ax. She threw the ax at his head. He dodges it. It goes over the edge. She doesn't think anything of it but he knows it's coming back. It hit her right between the eyes. That's how he won that made the capital look foolish because that was an imperfection in their arena that he exploited. Because of that, they killed his entire family and his girlfriend who had nothing to do with nothing except being his loved one's
I'm loving your reactions to the movies so far! And that everyone is being so awesome in the comments! I just wanted to say that the designer's name is pronounced like Cinnamon lol but I honestly vibe with Seena so much. I hope you do a book review kinda thing whenever you read them! 😊
New subscriber here! First off, your makeup is STUNNING! Secondly, without reading the books youve already understood the characters and content so well! I honestly didn't mind Gail until the laat movie, and everyone brought up the same things to me too. Haymitch and Effie have to be the best characters for their arc, they change and evolve in a truly fantastic way. A lot of people complain and call Katniss whiney, but shes young, and like you said, she has all of this thrust upon her. She didnt choose this, i did read the books and she definitely volunteered instinctively and didnt really know what she did until she was in the room saying goodbye. I loved your reaction to all 3 and can't WAIT for yoh to react to the last one. I will be excited to see it and will be back for more movie reactions too. ❤
If it was either Peeta’s life or saying what they told him to say in the Capitol, believe you me that he would tell them to kill him instantly. Peeta was willing to die to keep Katniss alive ever since the first book, he wanted her to win the games in the first book and in the second book, he never planned to live if it meant Katniss died. And Snow knows that, that’s why they were probably threatening him with Katniss’s life and for him he’d rather keep Katniss alive even if it means going along with what the Capitol tells him to do. It’s not about him choosing his own life over that, he’s always choosing to save Katniss’s life.
I get Gale is a teen, and I don't hate him completely in this movie. I do strongly dislike him, though. He keeps pestering Katniss for choosing him when Katniss has made it clear that she's preoccupied with the war, that she's afraid constantly, that she's dealing with ptsd and being a symbol and he keeps making it about him. It's not that it isn't understandable for a teen to be selfish but he is pressuring a girl to pick him when she has made it clear that she's not able to make any choice right now. When Peeta was met with this situation in the previous movie/book his reaction was "listen, this sucks and I wish it were different, but maybe we can at least try to be friends, even if we can't really be lovers and we are in an arranged marriage" Gale's response is understandable but still sh!tty. Peeta's response is kind and empathetic. Peeta is still sad and not perfect, but at least he understands that romance is not in the cards and accepts Katniss's answer and doesn't push for more. Just because Gale is not atypical in his response, that doesn't mean his response is in any way good or okay. Small aside, in district 12 children do not work in the mines. Katniss and Gale do work, in that they hunt and sell their food, and trade at the black market etc, and I'm sure other children like Peeta were working in their parent's business if they have a business, but only adults work in the mines. This also means that the poorest children, those from the mineworkers, who already are more likely to be reaped due to the food in exchange for an extra ticket in the hungergames lottery, have no skills they can use in the games. Katniss learned how to use a bow, but she is not the norm at all. So all the other tributes from district 12 were malnourished poor kids, who have no skills. And they are up against "volunteers" from well fed, well trained districts. They never stood a chance. Also, yes, what you're thinking is exactly what Finnick was saying. Finnick, and other tributes too, was trafficked by the Capitol. This is where I miss Katniss's narration, when she meets Finnick for the first time she thinks about how he's a sex symbol and how he's sleeping around and how he's super flirty and annoying, and during that speech she realises how much of that was all her perception and prejudices. She doesn't say it outright, and the novel never goes into it more, but it seems pretty logical to me that Finnick's hyper flirtatiousness is a trauma response. It is a pretty common response after SA, so it would make total sense for him. But it's also very likely that Finnick has zero say over his behaviour and clothing, he is acting as he's told to act in order to keep his loved ones safe. Choosing between death and something else is technically a choice, but let's be real, it's not really. Survival instincts aren't called instincts for nothing. And adults choosing, voluntarily with informed consent, to do a suicide mission in order to blow up a dam or peacekeepers is a very different situation than a kidnapped teen being tortured and threatened and lied to and kept in the dark.
26:05 I also have empathy for Gale. The love triangle definitely cheapens his character depth and development. I definitely want to hear your thoughts after reading the book
I think you can have empathy for gale and still hate him. The movies actually do him a favor, he's truly insufferable in the books. He's entitled, jealous and self centered when it comes to his feelings about katniss and it really just feels like a slap in the face when he's pretty selfless when it comes to everyone else 💀 I do think his character is an important representation of extremist mindset though. I think you can have empathy for what he has gone through and understand what led to his decisions, but still recognize that like.. dude nobody else did that or acted like he did. He was a major ass at multipleeee different points.
Girl I feel you on the hurricanes. I live in Texas and we lost power for weeks during Harvey. And because we have well water, we had NO water. But I feel you on that. Waiting in line for hours just to get gas….it was awful. But yeah these are great movies. Also, please react when you read the book because there’s so much you’re going to learn! Also, I’m new to your channel and I love it! And I just wanted to say that you are very beautiful. And I thought the same thing about Coin also but I was confused about Plutarch’s intentions as well. And yes, Gale’s family made it out. That’s in the book. And “flour over the shoulder strength” sent me😂😂😂
I’d say that in regards to this being YA, katniss is still a young girl. I think 17 in mocking jay. So to have the pressure of being the face of this rebellion that quite frankly she doesn’t have or get much information on. So of course she’s gonna be focused on Peeta, as it being the tangible thing that she can potentially save and keep as her safety blanket
I think that the reason why they didn't have Peeta a prosthetic leg is bc of logistics. It is easier to put an actor in a wheelchair than in a prosthetic (if they don't actually use a prosthetic) it is harder due to CGI (and the budget on the first movie wasn't that high) and just having someone look like it's their prosthetic and not just ilusion is harder, also it's easier for the actor in the combat scenes and beete barely appears bc he's not part of the main characters but Peeta is part of the main characters
Girl, you’re not the only one with Twilight books. I was never a reader then my blind 10 yr old daughter got me into Harry Potter books in 2006 and was reading the last book in 2007 to her until the audiobook was released of Deathly Hallows. Then read Twilight, Percy Jackson, Vampire Academy, House of Night Series(Awesome) and list goes on. Love your reactions and just subscribed.
I really hate that Suzanne's publishing house forced her to add in the love triangle because of twilight's popularity. It really tore away from the more mature themes of the book. In the original, Katniss and Gale were supposed to be cousins.
I know that you've seen the last movie by now but just want to say, man i remember when i thought that Gale's hatred was because of the love triangle...then after catching fire i read the books... And Ooooooooh my god. I think...on one side Gale's own trauma should not be overlooked. But the way his character progresses in the books, so to speak, just gives you a clearer image on the person he's becoming... And why so many people hate him, the type of comments and comparations he makes falling on the... Questionable... Side
love your reaction but your convo at the beginning about Borders versus Barnes and Noble cracked me up. Fun fact: I also loved borders over B&N, but my Borders became B&N and I cried lol
The one thing that annoyed me about Gale in Mockingjay Part 1 was how he said that he would never say such a thing even if they pointed a gun to his head. Yes, he would say such a thing, but he doesn’t know what he would do or say when he’s been hijacked and tortured and doing everything he can to spare Katniss, because he doesn’t know anything about the revolution. Other than that, I also didn’t hate Gale either. Except for what happens in Part 2, which is really sad and messed up. Your reactions are always so fun to watch.
I haven’t seen anyone say it so far and I know I’m late, but the coal mining age is 18. Anything younger and you basically live free of work as long as you live in district twelve, as the other districts don’t have this 18+ policy, other than maybe the careers with the special training. In summary: Gale could not have been working in the mines very long, and every other district person would have to undergo the same trauma with their work, but it’s a different kind of work ( i.e. district 8 long hours of textile work )
Finnicks message is indeed what you think it is. And it is important to remember in this context that he was 14 when he won. Johanna also was told to do this. The comment in Catching fire that she had no one left to love refers to them killing her loved ones because she refused to cooperate. I suspect they left Katiss alone because they didn't want to ruin the love story. I only realized yesterday that someone I knew in high school produced the Hunger Game movies.
@@rachelrosenstein9975 It took me awhile to realize that the star crossed lover image saved them...and to realize what Johanna went through. I recently realized that The Hunger Games movies were produced by someone I went to school with in high school. She was very accomplished even back then.
Your rant towards the end defending Gale is very valid and makes a lot of good points but trust me babes, the hate is not just about him calling Peeta a coward. I don't "hate" Gale but between certain things in Mockingjay pt.2 and his behavior/mindset in general it's just easier to dislike him.
You should for sure read the books. Katniss in the last book is legit UNHINGED. Her inner monologue is so good. When she’s goes to see district 12, she’s thinking about WHO SHES BREATHING IN. It’s wild.
1:30:00 So, I'm former active duty military. Before I give my criticsm on the hydroelectric dam assault, I was honestly suprised Mockingjay 1 and 2 was as realistic as it was (versus how Michael Bay for example portrays war and combat). -- That being said, the number of rebel casualties was unecessary. With better coordination and planning, the peacekeepers in both scenes could have been killed maybe a handful of casualties -- Having a suicide mission with casualties....this is unwise because, its a fast way to run out of troops quickly. I get the willingness and the sacrafice, but not when its wasteful (Snow critcizes Coin for that).
I appreciate all the analysis of Coin vs Snow and the Katniss/Peeta/Gale situation. I don't hate Gale. Even as he makes me angry, I find him very sympathetic and I think he's a good guy being pushed into very bad reactions by All Trauma No Therapists and he does seem to REALIZE that after he reacts badly as well. I just hate him with Katniss lmao. Both because I think they would be very bad for each other as romantic partners (yes both Katniss is as bad for Gale as he is for her) and because from the beginning I've hated that whole scenario of Gale just waiting for Katniss to fall into his arms like it's inevitable. It's a very familiar human situation and I've been in enough friendships where I've been walking on eggshells around people because I don't want to give them any indication that I am flirting or available and then it happens anyway.
District 13's government is a lot more detailed in the books. Strict schedules, food is rationed, everyone becomes a soldier at age 14 (with specialization, such as Prim training as a medic); no pets, sunlight, holidays, and few/no celebrations (no wedding ceremonies). Also, they have nukes. Katniss finds them very efficient but still hates life there. Even though the movies mention democracy a few times, I think this is closer to what Coin would have established as a president.
