Finnick Odair

"Why? Do you find this...distracting?"

- Finnick to Katniss Everdeen

Finnick Odair was a male victor from District 4. He was known for being the victor of the 65th Hunger Games and a survivor of the 3rd Quarter Quell, also known as the 75th Hunger Games.

Biography
Finnick won the 65th Hunger Games at the age of 14, where he was mentored by previous District 4 victor, Mags. During the 65th Hunger Games he was sent a trident, which might have been the most expensive gift ever given in the Games. The trident was a weapon which he wielded with proficiency and with the help of a net he wove by hand from some vines, he managed to trap his opponents in his net and then kill them with his trident. During the 74th Hunger Games he served as the mentor for District 4, as revealed in Mockingjay when he becomes the expert on Peeta's memories of his two times in the arena. He participated in the 3rd Quarter Quell a year later, and became part of an alliance with Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen, Wiress, Beetee, Johanna Mason and previous mentor Mags. Katniss attributes Finnick's success to a combination of his extraordinary physical skill and his unprecedented popularity among the Capitol. Although he is a good fighter with the spears and knives gathered in the Cornucopia, the extravagant gifts he receives, and his trident ensure he makes it out alive.

Catching Fire
During his interview with Caesar Flickerman, he recites a poem to his true love (which is Annie) and this makes at least one hundred people in the audience faint due to the thought of it being about them. He, along with every other victor, hold hands together at the end of the interviews as a sign of rebellion.

At the beginning of the Third Quarter Quell, Finnick is the second to arrive at the Cornucopia after Katniss, gaining a trident and a net. He asked Katniss what she thought of the arena, and she says it must have been built for him, which he finds amusing. He startled Katniss with his proposal for an alliance, and although she was initially unsure, she accepted his offer after she noticed his golden bracelet that Haymitch Abernathy had worn earlier, and knew that it was Haymitch's way of telling her to form an allience with Finnick. Although, still not fully trusting of him, Katniss remained extremely wary of his every move. Finnick and Katniss go to get more supplies but only find weapons. When Katniss is about to get Peeta, Finnick pats her abdomen and tells her not to in her condition and perfectly dives into the water and gets Peeta from his metal plate and brings him back to shore. Finnick tells them that Mags is coming and they agree to let her in the alliance. Finnick picks up Mags and carries her after they decide to leave the Cornucopia. The four of them run for quite sometime and begin to get thirsty but can not find water. Katniss climbs a tree to see if she could find a lake, and Finnick holds his trident in defense since he thought Katniss was going to kill him. He and asks how the Cornucopia is and she replies by saying that she think six have died and the battle is still happening. They begin to walk again and after Peeta accidentally walks into the force field Finnick and Mags are knocked down due to Peeta being flung back after he walked in the force field. Finnick rushes over to Peeta's side and performs CPR, but in her panicked state, Katniss thinks Finnick is going to kill Peeta and tries to push him away, but Finnick holds her back and Katniss realises what he is doing. Finnick help Mags and Peeta walk while on their way exploring the arena. The group's thirst becomes worse and have still found no sign of water. Finnick and Mags begin to weeve some sort of object to aid them with long sharp grass, while Katniss continues to hunt for water and some food. When she returned with a "Tree Rat", they built a hut and baskets. Finnick ponders how the Tree Rat got water and tries to figure it out. Finnick along with Mags was deeply hurt when they announced who died on the first day of the games but are distrcted from this thought after a sponsor sends a gift. Finnick tells Peeta to claim it since he died, and is unsure what it is. He is enlighted after Katniss solves it, and relieved when the item proves to be a device that takes water froms trees. Finnick volunteers to be first on watch during the night. He is alarmed with Katniss after they hear twelve belks ring and a thunderstorm begins. He falls in restless sleep after Katniss takes watch next.

That night, a poisonous fog emits and wakes the four. Finnick carries Mags, but the fog renders Peeta unable to run very well and Katniss struggles to help him. Finnick can't carry both Mags and Peeta, and Mags runs into the fog and dies, allowing Peeta to live. Finnick is deeply upset about Mags' death, and his nerves are damaged due to the fog. Katniss and Peeta helped him recover by dunking him in the beach water. When the monkey mutts attack them he doesn't hesitate and begins to battle them. Finnick stabbed the mutts with his trident and then throw them aside and continued his proccess. Finnick was surprised when the female Morphling saved Peeta just in time. He tries to comfort both of them. Finnick stays guard for the rest of the night and collects fresh water and shellfish. Peeta remains asleep and him and Katniss begin to exchange remarks of their appearance, then when Katniss is going to wake Peeta, Finnick gives her the idea to starle him awake. Finnick and Katniss fall back on the sand laughing at Peeta's reaction. After a loaf of bread from District 4 is given to them by sponsors. Finnick is surprised when Johanna and the tributes of District 3, Beetee and Wiress, arrive. The newcomers join the alliance Finnick, Katniss and Peeta have. Finnick makes conversation with Johanna and carries her in to the water to stop her from insulting Katniss. Later, the alliance goes to the Cornucopia to make sure that the theory of the Clock Arena is true. When they get there it is time for the deadly fog (2:00). The group is ambushed by the Careers and is stabbed in the thigh by Enobaria's spear but was able to take a knife from her supplies. Finnick battles Brutus and injuries him before he retreats with Enobaria. He dives in the water after Beetee falls in it from the Cornucopia moving during the time change.

When Katniss and Finnick go hunting for water, a jabberjay attack commences, with the birds' voices emulating the loved ones of the tributes screaming in pain. When Finnick hears the jabberjays targeting him, he calls out for Annie Cresta, a "mad" victor from District 4 who went insane after witnessing her district partner being decapitated during her Games. Finnick almost goes mad thinking that his love is being killed. Finnick does not calm down after Katniss kills the Jabberjay becuase he knows they had to get her to scream for the bird to mimic it and expects that she is or was being tortured by the Capitol. After he and Katniss escape the attack Peeta gives them relief as he tells them that they are almost in the final eight and during that time the Capitol interviews all their families and friends. Finnick goes into the water and attempts to relax. They view the faces of the tributes that died the second day and questions who is left besides them and District 2. District 3 sends in twenty four loaves of bread and they each eat three. Finnick has another night of restless sleep and occasionally murmurs Annie's name.

Finnick assisted Beetee with his plan along with Peeta, while Katniss and Johanna set up the coil. After the line is cut and Katniss' tracker is removed, Finnick chases Enobaria to get her away from Katniss. Later Finnick is seen with Enobaria (most likely becuase he told her of the rebellion plan) and when Katniss destroys the arena he becomes paralyzed.

After the arena is destroyed, Finnick, Beetee, and Katniss are rescued by a hovercraft from Plutarch Heavensbee who tells Katniss in the hovercraft that he was unable to go back for Peeta and Johanna, though he wanted to. It is revealed during this time that Finnick and Beetee were part of a plan to overthrow the Capitol. After Katniss awakens she goes into the room Finnick, Haymitch and Plutarch were talking in. In there he informs her of everything: the rebels, District 13, and the plan to overthrow the Capitol. He stops Katniss from stratching Haymitch's face with her nails. When Katniss is restrained again Finnick tells her he wishes that Johanna, Peeta, Enobaria and all the others would just die so all their sufferings could end. Finnick leaves Katniss alone and goes back to Plutarch and Haymitch.

Mockingjay
In Mockingjay, at the beginning of the book Finnick was deeply distressed and unable to focus on anything but to save Annie Cresta, who had been kidnapped and was being tortured in the Capitol. One of the only ways he kept himself sane was by making knots on a rope, over and over again. When Katniss first saw Finnick she noticed he was distracted and in grief. She calls for him but he does not respond, Katniss shakes him and when he noticed Katniss was calling him, he stoped tying knots and grips her hand in relief to see a fimilar face. Finnick asks why they are meeting here and she informs him about her role as the mockingjay and her conditions. Finnick is happy when he hears her condition for immunity of victors being held because of his love, Annie.

Finnick visits Katniss in the hospital and has dinner with her. He comforts her since she is stressed, the two then watch the propoganda again. Katniss asks him to shut it off but stops him because Caesar comes on and interviews Peeta. After the interview, Finnick tries to calm Katniss down and pretends not to have seen the interview because Plutarch walks in and makes sure she is well. The next day, Finnick and Katniss go to the woods in District 13 to hunt since Gale is busy helping Beetee make weapons. Katniss talks about the interview with him and is glad he is there to listen to her. Finnick comforts her and helps her through the pain she is feeling. Later after Peeta's third interview, the entire district evacuates to safe bunkers before the bombing on District 13 began by the Capitol. During the bombing, Finnick gives Katniss a rope to tie when she needs to to be distracted from her feelings. After the bombing during the night, Katniss goes to Finnick to share her thoughts on President Snow's plan. Finnick tells her he is doing the same with him but with Annie. Finnick shares with her the first time he knew Katniss did indeed love Peeta, during the 75th Hunger Games when he ran into the force field and almost died. Finnick admits he misjudged Katniss. While shooting a propo Katniss can't take it anymore and breaks down along with Finnick.

Eventually, a rescue team saves Annie Cresta and the others. To distract the Capitol from the rescue mission, Finnick and Katniss do an interview where he states President Snow has remained President of Panem for so long because he poisons all those who could become threats. He also states that Snow uses victors, like when he made Finnick sell his body to wealthy Capitol women for high prices. Finnick waits with Katniss until Haymitch informs them the rescue party has arrived. Finnick and Annie embrace each other and he personally takes her to receive medical attention for the wounds she received from being tortured by the Capitol. Finnick and Annie are then married with much ceremony in District 13. Finnick along with Annie meet with Katniss, Gale, Beetee, Delly, Johanna and later with Peeta. Katniss notes he hasn't let go of Annie's hand since the two were married. Finnick is assigned to be on the sharpshooters squad with Katniss, Gale and later Peeta. He suggests that Peeta plays a game Annie uses when her thoughts get mixed up, called "Real or not real". Finnick and Annie have one child together, a son, but Finnick dies before meeting him.

Death
While on the mission to President Snow's mansion, the group was attacked by Lizard-Human Muttations and Finnick was decapitated before Katniss could rescue him. She said "nightlock" three times into the Holo, which triggers it to blow up, and dropped it into the tunnel that they were crawling out of. As Finnick died, Katniss got impressions of his life, including a silver parachute bearing the trident that won him his Games, Mags' laugh, his life on the seas of District 4, and Annie's face.

Relationships
Forced by President Snow and in order to stay popular in the Capitol, Finnick put on a flirtatious personality, fooling many of the Capitol's people into believing that they held his affections. His conquests were legendary throughout Panem and he was famed for being able to go through four or five people in each annual visit during the Hunger Games. However, in Catching Fire it was revealed that his one and only true love was Annie Cresta, the 70th Hunger Games victor who went insane when she witnessed her partner tribute beheaded in the arena. During his last interview with Caeser Flickerman, he recited a poem addressed to his one true love in the Capitol; while many members of the audience believed they were the subject, it is implied that the poem was actually written about Annie. In Mockingjay, it was revealed that President Snow "rented" his body out to wealthy Capitol citizens and if Finnick refused, President Snow would kill somebody he loved. Finnick also cared a lot for his mentor, Mags, who had volunteered to participate in the Games, instead of Annie. Finnick was close friends with Johanna Mason and fairly good allies with Katniss, Peeta, Wiress, and Beetee. He became a closer friend to Katniss in Mockingjay. He married Annie Cresta and the pair had one son together who was born after Finnick's death.

Katniss Everdeen
At the beginning of the 3rd Quarter Quell, Finnick Odair startled Katniss with his proposal for an alliance. She was unsure of how to react, but accepted his offer after she noticed his golden bracelet that she knew came from Haymitch. Still not fully trusting him, Katniss remained extremely wary of his every move. However, he proved his usefulness and reliability by reviving Peeta when he accidentally ran into a force field, and saved Peeta in the midst of a fight even though it meant he got wounded himself.

At the beginning of Mockingjay, Finnick was deeply distressed and unable to focus on anything but saving Annie Cresta, who had been kidnapped and was being tortured in the Capitol. One of the ways he kept himself sane was by making knots with a rope, over and over again. He later gave that same rope to Katniss to aid her during the bombing of District 13.

While on the mission to President Snow's mansion, the group was attacked by lizard muttations and Finnick was decapitated before Katniss could rescue him. As Finnick died, Katniss got impressions of his life, including a silver parachute bearing the trident that won him his Games, Mags' laugh, his life on the seas of District 4, and Annie's face.

Peeta Mellark
In Catching Fire, Finnick and Peeta ally, along with Mags, Katniss, and later, Beetee and Wiress. Finnick saves Peeta's life after Peeta runs into a forcefield—initially, Katniss believes Finnick is actually kissing Peeta, while he is really performing CPR. After Peeta is rescued from the Capitol by District 13 and is programed to hate Katniss, Finnick is able to help him separate his real memories from his fake ones.

During the events of Mockingjay, Finnick shows concern for Katniss and Peeta, and goes out of his way to save Peeta's life again.

Johanna Mason
Johanna and Finnick were friends prior to the 75th Hunger Games, most likely having formed a bond during previous Hunger Games where they were mentors. They were allied during the 75th Games, along with Wiress, Beetee, Katniss, Peeta, and Mags. Katniss believed that Johanna was only in the alliance for Finnick, when in reality, she was protecting the Mockingjay so as not to end the rebellion early. The two seemed to trust each other well.

Annie Cresta
The two have a deep love for each other. Finnick mentored Annie and most likely did everything to keep her alive. During the interview with Caesar Flickerman, Finnick recited a poem for his one true love, Annie. During the Third Quarter Quell, he heard Annie's screams during the jabberjay attack, and worried that they had tortured her. In Mockingjay, Finnick constantly worried about Annie and could not concentrate on anything else but her. He was out of his mind because Annie had been captured by the Capitol so they could torture her for information about the rebels. Finnick repeatedly tied knots as a way to distract himself. He broke down when he couldn't handle it anymore, soon after the rebels rescued the prisoners from the Capitol. Finnick and Annie reunited and later the two got married and had a son, but Finnick died before he could meet him. After they got married Finnick always held her hand.

Personality
Katniss at first views Finnick as extremely flirtatious and using a "seductive purr" when he spoke. She is unable to read his motives when they are in the arena together, but believes that she would be better off killing him sooner rather than later, until he revives Peeta.

When they take refuge in District 13, Katniss begins to understand Finnick's pain more. His grief over Annie's torture mirrors hers about Peeta, and she feels bad for him as he grows more and more unstable. After he reunites with Annie and subsequently marries her, Katniss feels extremely happy for him. Upon seeing his true personality, she notes that he "radiates life" and has "self-effacing humor and an easy going nature." It is also noted that he never lets go of Annie's hand.

Physical appearance
Physically, he is described as being extremely handsome. He is tall, muscular, and athletic, with golden skin, bronze-colored hair, and "incredible" sea green eyes.

Trivia

 * Finnick's style of fighting he used to win his Hunger Games is based on a type of Roman Gladiator, the Retiarius, who used nets to entangle opponents and a trident to finish them. Retiarii had often had reputations as skilled combatants and lovers.
 * Finnick Odair's weapon of choice is a trident.
 * Finnick was the only known person to have recieved a trident as a sponsor gift in a Games.