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Gale Hawthorne is one of the most prominent characters inthe Hunger Gamesfranchise. Appearing in all four films, Gale is Katniss’ life-long best friend. His loyalty to Katniss is unwavering, which is why many fans assumed that the pair would end up together.
Shockingly, Gale and Katniss part ways inMockingjay: Part 2, and Katniss goes on to find happiness with Peeta. Whilst Katniss and Peeta both receive satisfying conclusions inthe Hunger Games’epilogue, Gale’s fate is largely obscured, leaving fans questioning what happened to Gale after President Snow’s downfall.
The Hunger Games’ Love Triangle, Explained
The love triangle played a significant role inthe Hunger Gamesfranchise. As typical in YA literature at the time, Suzanne Collins’ original books featured a love triangle between three major characters in the franchise – Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. Both Peeta and Gale were romantically interested in Katniss, andthe love trianglebecame a focal point of discourse in relation to the beloved franchise. A large proportion of fans were divided into two teams – ‘Team Peeta’ or ‘Team Gale’. Throughout the franchise’s duration, it wasn’t clear who Katniss would end up with – a question which kept fans guessing right up untilMockingjay’sfinal moments.
Unlike Peeta, Gale had been a close friend of Katniss’ for many years. The pair bonded over their shared talent for hunting and would often illicitly hunt in the woods together. From the onset, it’s clear that Gale is fiercely loyal to Katniss and her family. When Katniss is forced to compete in the 74th Hunger Games, Gale vows to protect Katniss’ family, providing them with food and safety. It’s clear that Gale harbors romantic feelings for Katniss, as showcased via the character’s blatant jealousy atKatniss and Peeta’s feigned romance.
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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
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The love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale kept fans captivated throughout the franchise. However, during the franchise’s dramatic finale, Katniss and Gale’s friendship is shockingly torn apart. To the surprise of many fans, Katniss never speaks to Gale again, showcasing the pair’s fractured relationship. After the rebellion is over, Katniss returns to District 12 with Peeta, and she soon comes to terms withher true feelings for him. In an emotional scene fromMockingjay: Part 2, Peeta questions Katniss’ feelings for him:
Peeta: You love me, real or not real?
Katniss: Real.
The epilogue scene inMockingjay: Part 2conveys Katniss and Peeta’s life together followingPresident Snow’s downfall. In the emotional scene, Katniss and Peeta now have two young children together and have managed to find happiness despite the lingering impact of the Games. Despite this satisfying conclusion, fans have often questioned why Gale and Katniss’ friendship fell apart and what happened after the rebellion.
Why did Katniss and Gale’s Friendship End?
During the Hunger Games’ dramatic final installment, Katniss manages tosneak into the Capitolon a mission to kill President Snow. However, during Katniss’ visit to the Capitol, a hovercraft suddenly appears in the sky. The hovercraft begins to dispense parachutes, resembling those sent to tributes in the Hunger Games. Believing that parachutes will contain medicine and supplies, children start reaching out for them. Shockingly, the containers abruptly explode, tragically killing and injuring hundreds of children.
Katniss is knocked unconscious by the impact of the explosion but when she regains consciousness, she spots her sister, Prim, attempting to help the wounded. As fans will remember, Prim was training to become a nurse, which explains why she was present at the scene of the explosion. Katniss begins to call out for Prim, but the remaining parachutes suddenly explode, tragically killing Prim.
Believing thatPresident Snowwas responsible for the death of Prim, Katniss interrogates him. Shockingly, Snow reveals that he was not behind the merciless bombings, and instead explains that the parachutes were sent by the rebels. Following this shocking revelation, Snow tells Katniss:
I’m afraid we’ve both been played for fools.
In the aftermath of Katniss’ conversation with Snow, Gale arrives to tell Katniss thatPresident Coinwould like to see her. Upon Gale’s arrival, he looks incredibly guilty and is unable to meet Katniss’ eye. Katniss then interrogates Gale, asking him why he didn’t visit her at the hospital following the explosion. However, she is soon struck by the realization that Gale was involved in the rebels’ plan to bomb the Capitol’s children.
Gale was aware that Prim was training to be a nurse, which meant that he intentionally put Prim’s life at risk for the purpose of winning the rebellion against the Capitol. Because of Gale’s involvement in this horrific plan, he ispartly responsible for Prim’s death, making his and Katniss’ friendship irreparable. It is apparent that Katniss never wants to see Gale again, and she ends their friendship with the parting words:
Goodbye, Gale.
Following this shocking revelation, Gale is never seen again. Because of this, fans have often wondered what happened to Gale following President Snow’s downfall.
What Happened to Gale After the Rebellion?
When Katniss and Peeta go back to District 12 together, they receivea letter from Annie. In the letter, Annie writes that:
Gale has been promoted to a Captain in District 2 to help keep order and security.
Katniss is visibly phased at hearing Gale’s name, but it’s clear that she does not regret ending her friendship with him. Gale had a crucial role in the rebellion against the Capitol, which explains how he achieved such a high position in Panem’s new government.
However, the book offers more details about Katniss’ lingering feelings for Gale. Following Katniss’return to District 12, she finds herself reminiscing about her and Gale’s hunting excursions. However, Katniss firmly puts her feelings for Gale to one side, as seen in the following passage:
I have to remind myself that Gale’s in 2 with a fancy job, probably kissing another pair of lips.
Although Gale and Katniss didn’t get their happy ending together, it’s clear that both characters went on to find happiness in the aftermath of the Games. Even though it has now been nine years sinceMockingjay: Part 2’srelease, the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale remains to be a prominent talking point in theHunger Games’franchise.
The Hunger Games
In a Dystopian future, food has become the world’s most valuable resource, and children must fight to the death in a televised event in order to win resources for their home districts. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place, she sets in motion an uprising to change the world. Based on the hit YA novels by author Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games quickly became a phenomenon with four star-studded movies based on the original series and a prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, released in 2023. The series has featured performances by Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Peter Dinklage, and Rachel Zegler.
