Decoding the Finale of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes a unique approach by centering its story around a mentor rather than a participant in the annual battle royale. However, it's not just any mentor; this prequel delves into the backstory of young Coriolanus Snow, who eventually becomes the notorious President Snow. This gripping tale explores the events and motivations that lead him on the path to becoming an oppressive dictator.

Photo credit: Murray CloseIn contrast to the later, more extravagant Hunger Games that would feature Katniss and Peeta, this is the 10th edition where no such grandeur exists yet; instead, we witness a time when the games were a far more subdued affair. The tributes are treated harshly, transported to the Capitol in dilapidated train cars, and then abandoned in an empty enclosure at the zoo, left to rely solely on the provisions provided by their mentors.

These games serve as a competition not only for the tributes, but also for their mentors. The mentor whose tribute garners the most popularity and support from sponsors will be rewarded handsomely, providing an opportunity for the once-revered Snow family to reclaim their esteemed position among the great houses of Panem.

On his journey, Snow develops a profound bond with his tribute, a young girl named Lucy Gray Baird from District 12. This connection significantly drives Snow's determination to support Lucy Gray's victory, as it would ensure her survival and likely result in his monetary gain. Essentially, it presents an ideal situation for him.

In order to aid Lucy Gray, Snow goes beyond the established rules by secretly providing her with a makeup compact filled with rat poison. She utilizes this dangerous tool twice to eliminate other tributes. Furthermore, he cunningly drops a handkerchief infused with Lucy Gray's scent into a pit of snakes, preventing them from attacking her in the arena. Although Lucy Gray emerges as the victor, Snow's illicit actions do not go unnoticed by Casca Highbottom, the creator of the Hunger Games. Consequently, Snow is punished for his misdeeds and is exiled to serve as a peacekeeper for two decades.

Using his remaining funds, Snow resorts to bribery in his desperate attempt to be assigned to District 12 instead of his designated location.

Initially, Snow attempts to maintain a discreet relationship with Lucy Gray. However, with the absence of any means to support his family back home, Snow becomes focused on spending time with Lucy Gray and avoiding trouble. Regrettably, his friend Sejanus poses a challenge to this goal.

Sejanus Plinth, a fellow mentor in the games, hails from District 2 and recently moved to the Capitol with his family. Sejanus's father, the source of the mentors' coveted wealth, provides crucial financial support. Feeling the weight of the Capitol's oppression against his district, Sejanus is devising a plan to escape from Panem along with a group of individuals from District 12. Snow endeavors to dissuade him, but Sejanus remains resolute in his decision.

Eventually, Snow becomes intertwined in the plot when he is compelled to kill one of the plotters, who happens to be the mayor's daughter. She had influenced her father to choose Lucy Gray for the Hunger Games out of spite. Despite her involvement, she plans to expose the plot. In fear of the consequences, Snow shoots her and resolves to avoid any further disruptions. Unexpectedly, his commanding officer offers him a way out by cutting short his service term and reassigning him to a more relaxed district for officer training. Once again, Snow perceives this as an opportunity to benefit his family and himself.

However, Sejanus refuses to abandon the plan. Remaining loyal to his duty, Snow decides to secretly report Sejanus's actions to the Capitol. He anticipates that Sejanus's father will forcefully retrieve him, similar to a privileged child being sheltered from trouble. Unfortunately, Snow's assumption proves incorrect. Sejanus is apprehended and executed alongside one of his co-conspirators.

Everyone who had knowledge of Sejanus' actions is now either deceased or absent. However, the gun that Snow employed to shoot the mayor's daughter is unaccounted for, and if discovered, it would incriminate Snow. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Snow becomes increasingly concerned about preserving his own safety. Consequently, he decides to escape Panem alongside Lucy Gray.

Prior to their departure from the district, they seek refuge from a rainstorm in a secluded cabin nestled within the woods. Coincidentally, this cabin belongs to one of the deceased conspirators. To their astonishment, they stumble upon the missing gun that Snow deployed to commit the murder. Upon this discovery, Snow makes a remark, referring to this find as the final "loose end." In just a brief moment, the always astute Lucy Gray comprehends the significance of his remark - this very firearm was the sole factor preventing Snow from returning to his former life.

Lucy Gray announces her intention to search for edible plants and dashes off, prompting Snow to quickly grasp the situation and pursue her. During his chase, Snow finds Lucy Gray's coat but is bitten by a snake when he tries to pick it up. Fearing poisoned venom, he spots Lucy Gray running through the woods and attempts to shoot her with the weapon he used to commit a previous murder. However, he fails to uncover any evidence suggesting that she had been shot, implying that Lucy Gray successfully escapes. Fortunately, the snake turns out to be non-poisonous, so Snow remains physically unharmed.

Upon returning to civilization, Snow is summoned back to his hometown by the unsettling Dr. Volumnia Gaul, who, despite all of Snow's manipulative actions, decides to take him under her wing. Snow also engages in one final conversation with Casca Highbottom, revealing that Highbottom initially conceived of the Hunger Games as a joke. However, Snow's own father appropriated the idea and presented it to Gaul against Highbottom's objections. This revelation explains why Highbottom mistreated Snow throughout the film, as he saw too much of Snow's father in him.

Does The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes have a post-credits scene?

From the moment Snow maliciously tainted Highbottom's morphling vial, he demonstrated the irreversible path towards his transformation into the tyrant we despise, President Snow. This pivotal moment highlights that Snow was already on this treacherous trajectory at the beginning of the film, with Lucy Gray being the sole individual capable of diverting him from this destructive course. As long as she remained present, his fate hung in the balance. However, once given a compelling reason to depart, Snow sealed his own destiny.

Does The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes have a post-credits scene?

Once the credits initiate in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the film unequivocally concludes without any additional scenes or surprises. It comes as no shock, considering that the franchise has reached its temporary conclusion. There are no forthcoming movies to tantalize viewers with. Therefore, if you find yourself pressed for time and need to exit when the credits roll, rest assured that you won't miss any supplementary content.

Editor's P/S

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel that explores the backstory of young Coriolanus Snow, who eventually becomes the notorious President Snow. This gripping tale explores the events and motivations that lead him on the path to becoming an oppressive dictator.

The book takes a unique approach by centering its story around a mentor rather than a participant in the annual battle royal. Snow develops a profound bond with his tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, and goes beyond the established rules to aid her victory. However, his illicit actions do not go unnoticed, and he is punished for his misdeeds and exiled to serve as a peacekeeper for two decades.

Overall, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a well-written and engaging prequel that provides valuable insight into the character of President Snow. It's a must-read for fans of the Hunger Games series.