Finnick Odair

"*It’s as if I’m Finnick, watching images of my life flash by. The mast of a boat, a silver parachute, Mags laughing, a pink sky, Beetee’s trident, Annie in her wedding dress, waves breaking over rocks. Then it’s over.*"
―Katniss Everdeen on Finnick Odair's life**Finnick Odair** was a male victor from District 4 and the winner of the 65th Hunger Games. Ten years later, he was reaped into the 3rd Quarter Quell, of which he was one of the survivors. Finnick participated in the Second Rebellion but was killed during a mission to infiltrate the Capitol. Before his death, he married his longtime sweetheart Annie Cresta, who later gave birth to their son.

## Biography

During the 65th Hunger Games, Finnick was mentored by a previous District 4 victor, Margaret "Mags" Flanagan (victor of the 11th Hunger Games), and won the competition at age 14, making him the youngest victor in the history of the games. The arena this year was a tropical island and the Games lasted thirteen days. Finnick's success was due 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 member of the Pack, 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 gifts during the games, including a trident - which was one of the most expensive gifts 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.

After his victory, Finnick was forced into prostitution by President Snow, and his loved ones were 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 asked his clients for secrets, which years later would prove extremely valuable. He became friends with fellow victor Trawler, though he didn't truly care that much for him.

From the 69th Hunger Games to the 74th Hunger Games, Finnick mentored the successive District 4 tributes, one every year (including his love, Annie Cresta, in the 70th Hunger Games). Both Finnick and Mags participated in the Third Quarter Quell and became part of an alliance with Katniss Everdeen, Wiress Wright, Beetee Latier, Peeta Mellark and Johanna Mason.

### 75th Hunger Games

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 jokingly 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 but the closest to it as possible.

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 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.

#### **Day One**

His pedestal was to the left of Sylva Mayleaf. 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 Greene Goodman after Greene tried to attack Katniss with a spear. Finnick 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 was 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.

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. 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 branded 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", 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 source 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 dying 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 Coge Magorian, 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 Mason 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 Bernard when she threw a knife at Peeta and Finnick stepped in the way. Finnick fought Brutus Stein 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, a mentally unstable victor from District 4 who went hysterical after witnessing her district partner, Bill, decapitated during her Games. Finnick believed that his love was being 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 were 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 and 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' 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.

### Rebellion

"*It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.*"
―Finnick Odair to Katniss Everdeen
#### District 13

Finnick was 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 only ways he kept himself sane was by repeatedly knotting short lengths of rope. When Katniss first saw Finnick, she noticed he was distracted and grief-stricken. She called for him, but he did not respond, Katniss shook him and when he noticed Katniss was calling him, he stopped tying knots and gripped her hand in relief to see a familiar face. Finnick asks why they were meeting there, and she informed him about her role as the Mockingjay and her conditions. Finnick was happy when he hears her condition for the immunity of victors being held because of his love, Annie.

Finnick visited Katniss in the hospital and had dinner with her. He comforted her since she was stressed, the two then watched the propaganda again. Katniss asked him to shut it off but stopped him because 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 and made sure she was well. The next day, Finnick and Katniss went to the woods in District 13 to hunt since Gale Hawthorne was busy helping Beetee make weapons. Katniss talked about the interview with him and was glad he was there to listen to her. Finnick comforted her and helped her through the pain she felt. Later, after Peeta's third interview, the entire district evacuated to safe bunkers before the bombing on District 13 began by the Capitol. During the bombing, Finnick gave Katniss a rope to tie when she needed to be distracted from her feelings. After the bombing during the night, Katniss went to Finnick to share her thoughts on President Snow's plan with Peeta. Finnick told her Snow was doing the same with him but with Annie. Finnick shared 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 admitted he misjudged Katniss. While shooting a propo, Katniss couldn't take it anymore and breaks down along with Finnick.

Eventually, a rescue team saved Annie, Peeta, Johanna and the others. To distract the Capitol from the rescue mission, Finnick and Katniss did an interview where he stated President Snow has remained President of Panem for so long because he poisoned all those who could become threats. He also stated that Snow used victors, like when he made Finnick sell his body to wealthy Capitol citizens for high prices proving that Snow was a horrible and cruel human, which helped Katniss. Finnick waited with Katniss until Haymitch informed them the rescue party arrived. Finnick and Annie embraced each other, and he personally took her to receive medical attention for the wounds she received from being tortured by the Capitol. Finnick and Annie married shortly after the rescue. Annie conceived a son (but Finnick isn't able to meet him). A propo was filmed during the wedding. Finnick, along with Annie, met with Katniss, Gale, Beetee, Delly Cartwright, Johanna and later with Peeta. Katniss notes he didn't let go of Annie's hand since the two were married.

### The Capitol and Death

Finnick was assigned to be on the sharpshooters' squad with Katniss, Gale, and later Peeta. He suggested that Peeta asked what is 'Real or not Real' when he couldn't tell himself. Finnick helped the group retreat in an apartment for cover. He told them to leave Boggs' corpse since it would only get in the way. Finnick helped calm Peeta down and voted not to kill Peeta.

While on the mission to President Snow's mansion, the group was attacked by lizard-human muttations. After everyone made it up from the tunnel; Katniss heard someone yell. She shined the flashlight down and saw Finnick fighting with the mutts. While fighting off the mutts, Finnick's head was bitten off before Katniss could rescue him. She said "nightlock" three times into the Holo, which triggers it to blow up, and drops it into the tunnel that 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.

### Legacy

After Finnick's death, Annie gave birth to their son. Annie sent pictures of Finnick to Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark for their memory book.

## Victims

Finnick killed five tributes during his first Games, including two of his previous Pack allies. During the 75th Hunger Games, he killed the Greene Goodman by throwing his trident at him during the initial bloodbath, and he also killed Fallow O'Leary.

## Relationships

* Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen, Johanna Mason (allies, friends)
* Coriolanus Snow (enemy, procurer)
* Beetee Latier, Wiress (allies)
* Mags Flanagan (mentor, friend)
* Annie Cresta (wife, mentee)
* Enobaria, Brutus, Gloss, Cashmere (opponents)
* Trawler (friend)
* District 4 male (74th HG) (mentee)

## Appearance

"*Do you find this...distracting?"
"I'm only human, Odair.*"
―Finnick and Katniss, discussing his bodyFinnick was extremely handsome and attractive. He was tall, athletic and chiseled, with tanned skin, bronze hair, and especially stunning 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 Peeta (who was injured) on his back with little real effort. The only time Finnick faltered was when he carried Peeta away from the poisonous fog, and only because the fog began to affect Finnick's 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 ever needed was his extreme good looks, and that no other could ever surpass his "natural beauty".

For the parade, his stylist draped him in golden fish net that was tied at his crotch, so he wouldn't technically be naked but the closest to it as possible. 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.

## Personality

"*He offered me a sugar cube and asked to know all my secrets.*"
―Katniss, on FinnickFinnick Odair prided himself on his ability to make most anyone desire him, and it was this effortless charm that made him such a favorite of the Capitol citizens. Finnick was easy to get along with and made conversation with almost anyone. He was not difficult to please, was easily entertained, and easily distracted. Finnick himself admitted that he was flighty and shallow, though anyone who took the time to know him beyond a surface level discovered that there was more depth there than he cared to let on. Anyone who met Finnick in a party/social gathering or seen him interviewed doubtlessly claimed that he always seemed relaxed, always smiling, and was an open book. This was not the case in reality.

Finnick was known for his frequent and varied sexual partners. When he went to the Capitol, he was well known for going through four or five lovers in one visit. For the most part, people assumed he did this for the gifts or attention he received. Unknown to most, however, Snow ordered him to spend time with the wealthier citizens of the Capitol and if he refused, Snow threatened to torture and kill people he cared about. As such, Finnick complied, but remained emotionally unattached to most of his trysts. He harbored love for another Hunger Games victor, Annie, and would have remained monogamous to her under more ideal circumstances.

When they first meet, Katniss viewed Finnick as extremely flirtatious and noticed that he used a seductive purr when speaking. She was unable to read his motives when they were in the arena together but believed that she would be better off killing him sooner rather than later, until he revived Peeta.

When they took refuge in District 13, Katniss began to understand Finnick's pain more. His grief over Annie's torture mirrored hers about Peeta, and she felt bad for him as he grew more and more unstable. When he revealed through a propo that Snow forced many desirable victors into prostitution, Katniss was utterly stunned; she managed to restrain herself but wanted to interrupt the filming and beg Finnick's forgiveness for every bad thing she thought about him. After he reunited with Annie and subsequently married her, Finnick's true personality was revealed; Katniss noted that he radiated life and had self-effacing humor and an easy-going nature. Before he was sent to the Capitol, he never let go of Annie's hand because he was afraid of losing her yet again.

While Finnick got along fine with most people, when he cared about someone, he cared deeply. He was willing to put those he cares about ahead of himself and risked his own well-being to protect his loved ones.

## Abilities

* Trident fighting
* Swimming
* Nets
* Charming people
* Funny humour

## Trivia

* Finnick was the only Tribute of the 75th Hunger Games to die after escaping from the destroyed Arena, while Katniss, Peeta, Beetee, Johanna, and Enobaria survived after the war.