- "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 76th Hunger Games."
- —Finnick Odair to Katniss Everdeen, as they prepare to infiltrate the Capitol[src]
Finnick Odair was a male victor from District 4 and won the 65th Hunger Games at 14, making him one of the youngest victors in Panem history. Ten years later, he was reaped once again into the Third Quarter Quell, of which he was one of the survivors. Finnick participated in the Second Rebellion but was killed by lizard mutts during a mission to infiltrate the Capitol. Before his death, he married his longtime sweetheart Annie Cresta, who later gave birth to their son.
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Biography[]
During the 65th Hunger Games, Finnick was mentored by a previous District 4 victor, Mags Flanagan (winner of the 11th Hunger Games), and he won the Games at age 14, making him one of the youngest victors in the history of the Games. Katniss Everdeen attributed Finnick's success to a combination of his extraordinary physical skill and his widespread popularity among Capitol citizens, the latter due in part to good looks. As a Career Tribute, Finnick was well prepared for the arena; displaying accomplished fighting skills with the spears and knives he initially gathered from the Cornucopia, Finnick received many sponsor gifts during the Games, including a trident - which Katniss thought might have been the most expensive item she had ever seen given to a tribute - which he used in combination with a net woven from vines found in the arena to ensure his victory, snaring and immobilizing his opponents before spearing them.[1]
After his victory, Finnick was sex trafficked by President Snow, and his loved ones threatened with death if he didn't comply. The general public was not aware of this arrangement, simply believing that Finnick took many romantic partners during his visits to the Capitol. However, instead of money, Finnick instead asked his "lovers" for secrets,[2] many of which were about Snow himself; some of which Finnick divulges during the Second Rebellion on live television to rally the rebels. Despite these many lovers, Finnick never cared for them and had one true love; Annie Cresta, a District 4 girl he mentored during the 70th Hunger Games which she later won and became victor.
Finnick mentored one or both of the District 4 tributes in the 74th Hunger Games.[3] Both Finnick and Mags participated in the Third Quarter Quell, and became part of an alliance with Katniss, Wiress, Beetee, Peeta Mellark and Johanna Mason.
Catching Fire[]
Finnick, along with Mags (who volunteered in Annie's place), were the tributes for District 4 in the Third Quarter Quell. He met Katniss Everdeen just before the Tribute Parade and flirted with her, informing her that his lovers in the Capitol pay him not with money, but with secrets. For the parade, his stylist draped him in golden fish net that was tied at his crotch, so he wouldn't technically be naked.[1]
During training, Finnick noticed Katniss over at the knot-tying station and helped her to finish the complicated knot she'd been having trouble working on. Being from District 4 (the fishing district), Finnick was particularly capable with knots, and even the most complicated ones don't seem to faze him at all. Later that day, Finnick introduced Katniss to Mags, whom Katniss immediately liked and befriended. Like the other tributes, Finnick saw Katniss successfully shooting down all the fake birds on the first day and was impressed. During the remainder of the public training days, he gave Katniss an hour of trident lessons in return for one hour of archery lessons.
During his interview with Caesar Flickerman, Finnick recited a poem to his one true love (Annie Cresta), making at least a hundred citizens in the audience faint because they believed the poem was about them. He, along with every other victor, joined hands at the end of the interviews as a sign of solidarity—and rebellion. In the film, his interview outfit consisted of a white shirt with a deep "V" neckline that stretched almost to his navel, and a black sash with matching pants, giving him a somewhat "pirate-like" look.
75th Hunger Games[]
Bloodbath[]
His pedestal was to the left of the District 9 female. At the beginning of the third Quarter Quell, Finnick was the second to arrive at the Cornucopia after Katniss, gaining a trident and a net, along with earning the first kill of the Games. He killed the District 5 male after the other tribute tried to attack Katniss with a spear. He startled Katniss with his proposal for an alliance, and although she was initially unsure, she accepted his offer after noticing his golden bracelet - identical to the one Haymitch Abernathy had worn earlier - knowing that it's Haymitch's nonverbal way of telling her to form an alliance with Finnick. Still not fully trusting him, Katniss remained extremely wary of his every move. Katniss was suspicious of what motivated him to retrieve Peeta from his platform and offered to do it herself, but Finnick alluded to her false pregnancy and carried Peeta, who couldn't swim, to shore. From that point on, Finnick, Mags, Katniss, and Peeta formed an alliance.
Day One[]
The four of them ran and searched for quite some time but could not find water. Katniss climbed a tree to see if she could find a lake, Finnick holding his trident in defense since he worried Katniss might kill him. He asked about the Cornucopia, and Katniss relayed that six had died and the battle was still going on. They resumed their search of their surroundings, Peeta accidentally walked into the force field and was flung back and knocked-out by it, stopping his heart. Finnick and Mags were knocked down. Finnick rushed over to Peeta and performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but in Katniss' panicked state, she thought Finnick was trying to kill Peeta, although his heart had already stopped. She tried to push him away, but Finnick held her back. Ultimately she realized he was trying to save Peeta's life.
Finnick helped Mags and Peeta walk when they resumed exploring the Arena. Their thirst became worse and they still had found no sign of water. Finnick and Mags began to weave a net of long, sharp grass, while Katniss continued to hunt for food and water. When she returned with what the group brands a "tree rat". Katniss pondered how the tree rat had access to water because its mouth was still wet seemingly from recent drinking.
Finnick and Mags were deeply upset by the announcement of the first day's deaths but were distracted by a sponsor's gift. Finnick told Peeta to claim it since he actually died (briefly), and all were uncertain as to the gift's purpose. Katniss ultimately recognized it as a "spile"—a device that released sap from trees. They discovered happily that the sap from the trees was a type of water, finally relieving their overwhelming thirst. Finnick volunteered to be first on watch during the night. He was later joined by Katniss, and together they heard twelve bells ring, and the beginning of a thunderstorm. He fell into a restless sleep, and Katniss took the next watch.
That night, a poisonous fog appeared and the four tried to escape from it. Finnick carried Mags, but the fog rendered Peeta unable to run, Katniss struggling to help him. Finnick helped by carrying Peeta while Katniss carried Mags. The fog overtook Katniss and she could no longer carry Mags. Finnick explained that he couldn't carry both Mags and Peeta; Mags, knowing what must be done, sacrificed herself, walking straight into the fog. Her death allowed Finnick to carry Peeta, ensuring his survival.
Finnick was both unnerved emotionally by Mags' death and suffered temporary nerve damage from the toxic fog. Katniss and Peeta helped him recover by dunking him in the sea water to clean him. When the monkey mutts attacked them, Finnick didn't hesitate and killed them with his trident. He was surprised when the female morphling seemed to come from nowhere and saved Peeta just in time again.
He took guard duty for the rest of the night and collected fresh tree-water and shellfish from the sea. Peeta was still asleep, while Finnick and Katniss cracked jokes about their own disheveled looks thanks to the Games. When Katniss was ready to wake Peeta, Finnick suggested that they both startle him awake. Taking his suggestion, she and Finnick fell back on the sand laughing at Peeta's reaction.
Day Two[]
Soon after, sponsors gave the alliance a loaf of bread from District 4. Finnick was surprised by the arrival of Johanna and the tributes of District 3, Beetee and Wiress. The newcomers joined the alliance with Finnick, Katniss, and Peeta. Finnick talked to Johanna and carried her into the water to stop her insulting of Katniss. Later, the alliance returned to the Cornucopia to make sure that Wiress' theory that the Arena is a Clock was legitimate. When they got there, it was time for the deadly fog (2:00-3:00). The group was ambushed by the Careers; Wiress died as her throat was slashed and Finnick was stabbed in the thigh by Enobaria when she threw a knife at Peeta and Finnick stepped in the way. Finnick fought Brutus and injured him before he retreated with Enobaria. Finnick dove into the sea after Beetee fell in, as the Cornucopia moved during the time change.
When Katniss and Finnick hunted for water, a jabberjay attack broke out, with the birds' voices emulating the tributes' loved ones screaming in pain. When Finnick heard the jabberjays targeting him, he called out for Annie Cresta, his lover and a "mad" victor from District 4 who went insane after witnessing her district partner decapitated during her Games. Finnick believed that his lover was being tortured or killed, debilitated by his helplessness. Katniss killed the jabberjay, but this didn't calm Finnick, who was still unnerved by the thought that Annie had been tortured to make those sounds. After he and Katniss escaped the attack, Peeta reassured the two of them that the Games are down to the final eight—and not only must the Capitol have family and friends to interview, but that those sounds could be faked. Beetee concurred, explaining that it would be easy for the Capitol to fake the sounds. The alliance viewed the faces of the tributes that died the second day, discussing who was left besides them and District 2. District 3 sent twenty-four pieces of bread, an unequal number, each eating three. Finnick suffered another night of restless sleep, occasionally murmuring Annie's name.
Day Three[]
Finnick assisted Beetee with his plan, along with Peeta, while Katniss and Johanna set up the electric coil trap. After the line was cut and Johanna removed Katniss's tracker—in what seems like a vicious attack at the time—Finnick chased Enobaria to get her away from Katniss. Later Katniss destroyed the arena.
After the arena was destroyed, Finnick, Beetee, and Katniss were rescued by a hovercraft from District 13. Plutarch Heavensbee was aboard and told Katniss that he was unable to go back for Peeta and Johanna, though he wanted to. Finnick requested to go to District 4 to get Annie, but Plutarch told him they couldn't, but he does make a special order for her retrieval. It was revealed that Finnick and Beetee were part of a plan to overthrow the Capitol all along. After Katniss awakened she went to the room where Finnick, Haymitch and Plutarch were talking. There, she learned about the rebels, District 13, and the plan to overthrow the Capitol. Finnick stopped Katniss from clawing Haymitch's face with her nails. Finnick tells her that he wished Johanna, Peeta, Enobaria, and all the others would just die so that they wouldn't have to suffer anymore. Finnick returned to Plutarch and Haymitch, leaving Katniss alone.
Mockingjay[]
- "It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart."
- —Finnick Odair to Katniss Everdeen[src]
Finnick became deeply distressed, slightly unhinged, 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 ways he kept himself sane was by repeatedly knotting short lengths of rope. When Katniss first saw Finnick, she called for him but received no response. Katniss shook him, and Finnick quickly stopped tying knots and gripped her hand in relief to see a familiar face. Finnick asked why they were meeting here and she informed him about her role as the Mockingjay and her conditions. Finnick was happy to hear about her condition for the immunity of victors because Annie would be protected.
Finnick visited Katniss in the hospital and had dinner with her. He comforted her since she was stressed, then the two watched the propaganda again. Katniss asked him to shut it off but stopped when Caesar came on and interviewed Peeta. After the interview, Finnick tried to calm Katniss down and pretended not to have seen the interview because Plutarch walked in to check on her. The next day, Finnick and Katniss went to the woods in District 13 to hunt, discussing the interview together. After Peeta's third interview, the entire district evacuated to safe bunkers before District 13 was bombed by the Capitol. During the bombing, Finnick gave Katniss her own rope to distract herself with. That night, Katniss told Finnick her thoughts on President Snow's plan. Finnick told her he was doing the same with him but with Annie. Finnick revealed the first time he realized Katniss did love Peeta—when Peeta ran into the force field and almost died—and admitted he misjudged Katniss.
Eventually, a rescue team saved Annie, Peeta, Johanna, and the others. To distract the Capitol from the rescue mission, Finnick and Katniss performed a live interview to be broadcast across Panem. During this interview, Finnick revealed his backstory after the 65th Hunger Games, where he was forced into sex trafficking by Snow. Upon hearing Finnick's story, indicating his promiscuity was just an act, Katniss realized she misjudged him and regretted it immensely. Finnick revealed that instead of money, he asked for secrets from his lovers, some of which were about Snow himself. He also revealed that Snow strategically poisoned political allies in order to remain president.
Finnick waited with Katniss until Haymitch informed them that the rescue party had arrived. Finnick and Annie embraced each other and he took her to receive medical attention, as she had been tortured by the Capitol. They married shortly afterward and conceived a son.
Finnick and Annie met with Katniss, Gale, Beetee, Delly, Johanna, and later with Peeta. Katniss noted that he had not let go of Annie's hand since their wedding. Finnick was assigned to be on the sharpshooters squad with Katniss, Gale, and later Peeta. He suggested that Peeta ask what was "Real or Not Real" when he couldn't tell himself. Finnick helped the group retreat in an apartment for cover and told them to leave Boggs' corpse since it would only get in the way. He also helped calm Peeta down and voted not to kill Peeta.
Death[]
While on the mission to President Snow's mansion, the group was attacked by lizard mutts. After Katniss climbed out, she heard someone yell and saw Finnick fighting with the mutts. However, his head was bitten off before Katniss could rescue him. She said "nightlock" three times into the Holo, triggering it to self-destruct, and dropped it into the tunnel they were crawling out of. As Finnick died, Katniss relived brief moments of his life, including seeing a silver parachute, the trident from Beetee, Mags' laugh, his life on the seas of District 4, and Annie in her wedding dress.
His death was slightly different in the film; after killing multiple lizard mutts with his trident and knife, he tried to escape with the others up the ladder leading out of the sewers, but a single mutt dragged him back down. To Katniss's horror, the remaining mutts proceeded to overwhelm and devour him. He screamed at Katniss, and she commanded the Holo to self-destruct then threw it inside the sewer, granting him a quick death.
Legacy[]
After Finnick's death, his wife Annie gave birth to their son. Annie would sent pictures of him to Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark for their memory book.
Victims[]
Since Finnick was a Career Tribute, it is likely he killed several tributes during his first Games and it is presumed that he killed the other Careers. However, it is not confirmed whether he joined their alliance. During the 75th Hunger Games, he killed the District 5 male by throwing his trident at him during the initial bloodbath along with the District 9 male (75th HG).
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. If he did not oblige, someone beloved to him would be killed; however, if he did, he would be rewarded greatly. 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, his only true love was Annie Cresta. During his last interview with Caesar 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. 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[]
Katniss first met Finnick at the opening ceremonies for the Quarter Quell while waiting for the chariots to leave Finnick approaches Katniss and offers her sugar. Katniss remains calm and composed although she feels a little uncomfortable by how close he gets to her and even more so when Finnick implies people pay him with secrets and asks Katniss if she has any secrets worth his time. However, Katniss doesn't break his gaze and simply says she is an open book. During the 3 days training Finnick continues to be friendly to Katniss when talking to her and even offers to give her an hour of trident lessons in exchange for Katniss giving him an hour of archery instruction.
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. Before Boggs came, Katniss mentioned the trident Beetee made for him and told him to put on pants. Finnick jokingly revealed his underwear and asked Katniss if she found it distracting; Katniss smiled upon seeing that Finnick could still joke around. Katniss began to realize Finnick's problems through the last few years and how he describes what President Snow did to him.
While on the mission to President Snow's mansion, the group was attacked by lizard mutations and Finnick was decapitated before Katniss could rescue him. As Finnick died, Katniss witnesses brief moments 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, Johanna, Beetee and Wiress. Finnick saves Peeta's life after Peeta runs into a force field—initially, Katniss believes Finnick is actually kissing Peeta, while he is really performing CPR, something that is rarely seen back in District 12. Finnick was willing to give up Mags to save Peeta because he needed to, to convince Katniss they were on the same side. He receives a large cut in his leg when he was trying to save Peeta.
During the events of Mockingjay, Finnick shows concern for Peeta, and goes out of his way to save Peeta's life again. After Peeta killed Mitchell, Finnick tried to calm him down and told Peeta it wasn't his fault. He also told Peeta that he should ask about the things he was unsure about, similar to what his wife did in order to separate actual thoughts and fabricated ones. Later on, Peeta and Katniss used this game to help Peeta and his memories.
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, Blight, 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. It is unknown, however, if he fell in love with or even knew Annie before he became her mentor. During the interview with Caesar Flickerman, Finnick recited a poem for his one true love, Annie, although he did not mention her by name.
During the third Quarter Quell, he heard Annie's screams during the jabberjay attack, and worried that the Capitol had tortured her. In Mockingjay, he 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. After the two were wed, Finnick never let go of Annie's hand. Later, Annie had a son. However, Finnick died before he could meet him.
Mags[]
When Finnick was reaped to the 65th Hunger Games, Mags was his mentor. In the 75th Hunger Games, Mags volunteered for Annie Cresta, Finnick's true love.
He also said that she was one of the only people who actually liked him as Katniss and Peeta were about to leave the bloodbath with them. Johanna later told Katniss that Mags was half of his family. When Mags died in the third Quarter Quell, Finnick cried all through the night she died.
Personality and traits[]
- "He offered me a sugar cube and asked to know all my secrets."
- —Katniss, on Finnick[src]
Finnick Odair prided himself on his ability to make almost anyone desire him, and it was this effortless charm that has made him a favorite among Capitol citizens. He appeared to always be relaxed, smiling, and an open book.
Finnick could make conversation with almost anyone. He was easy to please and entertain, and easily distracted. Finnick himself would admit that he was flighty and shallow, although anyone who took the time to know him would discover that there he had more depth than he let on. While Finnick got along fine with most people, when he cared about someone, he cared deeply. He was willing to put them ahead of himself and would risk his own well-being to protect his loved ones.
Finnick was known for his frequent and varied sexual partners. When he came to the Capitol, he sometimes went through four or five lovers in one visit. For the most part, people assumed he did this for gifts or attention; however, Snow forced him to spend time with wealthier citizens and threatened to torture his loved ones otherwise. As such, Finnick complied, but remained emotionally unattached to most of his trysts. His true love was Annie, and he would remain monogamous to her under more ideal circumstances.
When they first meet, Katniss viewed Finnick as extremely flirtatious and noticed that he uses a "seductive purr" when speaking. She was unable to read his motives when they were in the arena, but believed that she would be better off killing him sooner rather than later, until he revived Peeta. After Finnick reunited with Annie and subsequently married her, his true personality was revealed; Katniss noted that he radiated life, had self-effacing humor and an easygoing nature. He never let go of Annie's hand due to his fear of losing her again.
Physical description[]
- Finnick: "Do you find this...distracting?"
Katniss: "I'm only human, Odair." - —Finnick and Katniss, discussing his body[src]
Finnick was considered extremely handsome. He was tall, athletic, and chiseled, with tanned skin, bronze hair, and sea-green eyes.
In the arena, Finnick's enormous stamina helped keep the alliance of Districts 4 and 12 alive, as he spent much of the first day of the Quarter Quell carrying first Mags and later an injured Peeta on his back with little real effort. The only time Finnick faltered was when the fog began to affect his arms. Finnick was extremely skilled at close-quarters combat, throwing nets and fighting/throwing with spears or his specialty weapon, the trident. Being from District 4, Finnick was also an excellent swimmer.
Katniss said that he never really needed to do anything to get sponsors as all he needed was his extreme good looks, and that no other could ever surpass his "natural beauty".
Trivia[]
- In the novel Catching Fire, Katniss said he was "still one of the youngest victors".[1] Due to the ambiguity of the wording, she could have meant he was either A. one of the youngest people to have won the Games, B. the youngest victor ever, or C. merely one of the youngest victors competing in the Quarter Quell.
- In the film adaptation, Haymitch mentioned that Finnick "won his Games at fourteen, youngest ever."[4]
- Finnick's distinctive style of fighting is based on a type of Roman gladiator, the retiarius, who used a net to entangle his opponents and a trident to finish them. Retiarii often had reputations as skilled fishermen, but not good fighters.
- Of the six tributes that survived the 75th Hunger Games, Finnick was the only one who died in the war.[5]
Gallery[]
Movie Stills[]
Outfits[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Catching Fire, Chapter 15
- ↑ Mockingjay, Chapter 12
- ↑ Mockingjay, Chapter 19
- ↑ The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
- ↑ Mockingjay, Chapter 26