Thanks for tuning into part four of The Mockingjay Part 1
Countdown!
Week four starts off immediately where week three ends, with
the shocking revelation of Katniss’ prep team chained to a wall, abused and
half starved. I think this is one of the most pivotal scenes in part one
of Mockingjay because this is the moment that Katniss really sees that the
atrocities of President Snow’s reign exist in President Coin’s rule as well.
She finds out her prep team had been smuggled out of the
Capitol the night that Katniss and her fellow victors were rescued from the
arena. As Tiffany pointed out, we think there is a big chance that Effie will
also be in this scene. Effie is our only real link to Katniss’ team in the
movies since we never really got a chance to know the rest of the team
intimately.
We find out the prep team is being punished for stealing an
extra slice of bread because for the first time in their lives, food is a
precious commodity. And as any fan knows, bread is practically it’s own
character in the books.
After consoling her traumatized prep team, Katniss demands
their release. With Plutarch’s authority, they take the team to Katniss’ mother
to be looked over. While her team is examined, Katniss shares her thoughts with
Plutarch and Gale. In the books, Plutarch’s assistant is also there, but we
believe her character will be replaced with more Effie (yay!). Katniss has come
to the conclusion that her prep team being punished is a warning to Katniss and
her friends and no matter who Katniss is and what she demands, Coin is in
charge.
When Katniss is assured her prep team is physically all
right, she is finally able to put one of her demands as Mockingjay to use. She
is able to hunt again. Gale and Katniss finally get a chance at being
themselves as they work together. When they are finishing up they discuss why
Katniss is so affected by her prep teams abuse. This, I believe, is the first
real example they will show of the fundamental difference between Katniss and Gale. While Gale
is angry at the entire Capitol, Katniss realizes that most of their citizens
are also victims.
The two hunters give their spoils to the kitchens and
Katniss waits for Coin’s announcement. As Katniss joins the assembly, she runs
into Finnick and is reminded to seek Annie Cresta’s immunity as well as the
kidnapped victors. Coin agrees to this amendment and announces Katniss’ consent
to be the Mockingjay in return for the other victors’ pardons. Then Coin adds
her own addendum. If Katniss is insubordinate in any way, she and her fellow
victors’ lives are on the line.
