By the Book: Catching Fire Chapter 2
You may recall a new series we started a few weeks ago called By the Book, whereby the Mockingjay.net staff analyze each chapter of ‘Catching Fire’ and put in our predictions for what makes the film, including our favourite lines, and what hits the cutting room floor!
A reminder that By the Book contains SPOILERS for Catching Fire
Continuing into Chapter 2, Katniss has just opened the door to her study and is met by President Snow. President Snow proceeds to make it clear in no uncertain terms that he is very unhappy with Katniss sowing the seeds for rebellion, leaving her with the warning “aim higher”, and the knowledge that he knows about her kiss with Gale.
Ciara
This is one of the scenes I’m most looking forward to in ‘Catching Fire.’ The opportunity to have Donald Sutherland and Jennifer Lawrence in an acting face-off makes me so excited! The first time I read this chapter, I immediately thought of Christoph Waltz and Mélanie Laurent’s first meeting in ‘Inglorious Basterds’ and I hope this scene is just as intense. I think Sutherland will play it very much like he did in his scenes with Wes Bentley in ‘The Hunger Games.’ Honest, concise and bordering that thin line of charm and terror. Three things must be established here: Katniss has caused a potential for uprisings in other districts; she must now convince the districts on the victory tour that she wasn’t trying to show up the Capitol and is genuinely in love with Peeta; and that she has kissed Gale and Snow is aware of it. I think the kiss with Gale could be handled like the flashback of the Boy with the Bread scene in the first film. Brief cross-cuts back and forth between this scene and the flashback of the kiss as Snow references her “cousin.” That way making it quite clear that Katniss knows what he’s talking about and that they’re both thinking the same thing. The importance of this one scene can’t be understated – they must set up what is at stake and that Katniss will undoubtedly lose everything if she fails: it sets up the entire premise of the book.
Line predictions:
Snow: “I think we’ll make this whole situation a lot simpler by agreeing not to lie to each other.” Snow: “And if a girl from District 12 of all places can defy the Capitol and walk away unharmed, what is to stop them doing the same? What is to prevent, say, an uprising?”
Katniss: “It must be very fragile, if a handful of berries can bring it down.”
Katniss: “I’ll be in love with him just as I was.”
Snow: “Just as you are” Katniss: “Just as I am.”
Snow: “This tour will be your only chance to turn things around.”
Erin
The entire chapter is an important part of the story and will hopefully be included almost completely in the movie. I think they will probably cut out Mrs. Everdeen serving tea and will make Katniss and President Snow’s conversation short, concise, and uninterrupted. I also think that instead of having Katniss remember Gale kissing her, they will move it to earlier that morning. I don’t have high hopes for much of Chapter One making it into the movie, so this scene will be used to drive home the fact that Katniss was only pretending to be in love with Peeta, while Peeta was actually in love with her for real. Not only do I want this scene to clear up some of the ambiguity people felt about Katniss’ love for Peeta, but I want their encounter to be very intense, even frightening, as Katniss realizes what she has to do to keep the president from murdering her friends and family.
Line predictions:
President Snow: “I think we’ll make this whole situation a lot simpler by agreeing not to lie to each other.”
President Snow: “At what point did he realize the exact degree of your indifference?”
Tash
I hope to see most of Chapter 2 make it into the film. Like Erin I believe they will move the kiss and then use it as a vehicle to establish that Katniss was acting up the relationship between herself and Peeta during the games, rather than focusing just on Gale and Katniss, as they definitely need to clear that ambiguity up. The most important part of this chapter is to establish how truly frightening and awful President Snow is, and how very real his threats are against the lives of Katniss and her family and friends. This is clearly shown by his cold remark about Seneca Crane – “Can you guess where he is?”. I would like to see Mrs Everdeen at least knock on the door to ask if they’d like anything, as in the book I think that served as a great reminder of exactly what was at stake for Katniss, but have to agree that it will most likely be cut. Chapter 2 and President Snow’s ‘ultimatum’ also set the stage for the rest of Catching Fire, i.e. the growing rebellion, so this altercation between the two characters is pivotal in terms of setting the tone, and setting the scene for Katniss’ behaviour on The Victory Tour. And like Ciara pointed out, the face-off between Jennifer Lawrence and Donald Sutherland is sure to be exciting and amazing 
Line predictions:
President Snow: “…you’re not planning on being difficult, are you?”
Katniss: “It must be very fragile, if a handful of berries can bring it down.”
President Snow: “Convince me.”
If they mess this one up… well, let’s just say… don’t.
they gotta get it right
In my opinion, the first movie was kinda jacked up. They didn’t put enough information and detail into it that was in the book- that kinda made it confusing. So, they better not jack this one up, too. Jus’ sayin’.
Agree with all statements above but really hope they include the line about not lying to each other since that statement will replay itself in Mockingjay when Katniss sees Snow. I hope they clarify the Katniss – Peeta relationship too, since it was only semi-apparent in HG movie that she may have been exaggerating her feelings. They really have an opportunity to set the tone and character motivation here. Can’t wait!
I have a feeling this is one of those essential scene, there is no way around it. like the cave scene & the reaping scene or the interview scene. Without Snow being there to confront Katniss, the viewers who for instance haven’t read the book, will get confused about how Snow is handling everything. I think this moment is the build off to the rest of Catching Fire and Mockingjay. And I’m sure it will be changed a bit up just like the cave scene was, but if this sin’t in the movie I don’t know what is. Also Jennifer & Donald Sutherland are obvious going to bring their A-game as always so I don’t think anyone should be worried
This is probably one of the most important scenes of CF, as many have said, it sets the tone and what is at stake if Katniss fails to play up the romance angle and make Panem believe she truly loves Peeta. I really hope the fragile berry comment and you’re not going to be difficult lines make it into the film. a Sutherland and Lawrence scene will be pretty awesome and intense!!! Ahhhhhh tooooooooooooooo excited!!
This scene will set my expectactions for the rest of the film. If it is good, I’ll be relieved. If not, I’ll be stressed during the entire screening.
Anyway, I agree with Erin. I think they should move the Katniss + Gale Kiss scene to the beggining of the movie, just after they meet in the woods and maybe talk about what’s been going on, so the audience can understand that a few months have passed, Gale is working now and the capitol thinks he is her cousin, etc…
After the Kiss, Katniss wonders through the village, goes wake up Haymitch before the cameras arrive and finally meets president Snow at her house. I wouldn’t change anything about their dialogue, except maybe one thing: I find it strange Snow says to her in the end “I Know about the Kiss” – it seems so frivoulous for President Snow to say that. I think it should be implied that he knows during their conversation, but saying just as he leaves… It’s a litle bit anticlimatic.
This scene has amazing potential, I hope they do it right. It´ll be included in the movie, no question about it, but depending on the changes they make to the story, they might have it happen at a different time in the story, and they might change the topic of the conversation. I really hope the rumor that Beaufoy took the Victory Tour out of the script isn´t true, because president Snow´s conversation with Katniss sets the events that occur during the Victory Tour. I hope the new screenwriter and the director realize the importance of the Victory Tour and keep it in the movie. I really hope they don´t rush the story in order to give the Quarter Quell more screen time. The action is exciting, but the story sustains it all, i hope they find the perfect balance and give the events prior to the Quarter Quell enough screen time.
I just hope that they put more details in this one. Because in the hunger games they didn’t really say anything about the avox’s. SPOILER……. Like in the second and third they kinda come into play. I just hope the new director will really catch the picture of the book
oh my god im soooooo exicted for this scene and the better not mess it up! I think maybe they’ll have katniss have a flashback like in the book to where she kisses gale. maybe when snow says “and all those cousins”. or maybe when he say “i know abot that kiss”.
But they could also have it like it starts off with gale’s and katniss’s kiss in the woods, then take it from there.
sorry, i was just wondering how often there is gonna be By Yhe Book. ?????????????????????????????
I’d prefer the movie started with Gale + Katniss Kiss scene than Katniss having a flashback of it during the conversation with Snow.
I mean, the first movie Katniss flashbacked to Peeta, and although that kinda worked, it wouldn’t be the same. I’d never though I’d say this, but Gale’s Kiss requires better exploring than a flashback could ever provide. Besides, interrupting a highly antecipated and high impact conversation (Snow + Katniss) to introduce a flashback of Gale+Katniss kissing is a little bit strange.
Hhhhhmmmm This is one of my favorite chapters in the whole series! They have got to include most of this in the movie! I’m soooo looking forward to seeing it.
@sugar cubes+fish nets – By the Book is scheduled for a Friday every 3 weeks. This one is a little out of sequence so apologies for that, life just gets in the way sometimes!
Chapter 3 will be next Friday, June 1st, then Chapter 4 on Friday June 22nd and so on. So it’ll be going right up until Catching Fire is due to hit cinemas
Loving the comments and suggestions too all, please keep them coming
I have to agree with the kiss too, I definitely think that will be shuffled around/altered slightly in how that plays out. And even if Snow doesn’t say he knows about the kiss, there has to be some reference about him worrying about Katniss’ relationship with Gale interfering with her public relationship with Peeta.
I think we all agree this scene between Katniss and Snow is key. Most important line to set up Mockingjay is “agreeing not to lie to each other”. “What is to prevent, say, an uprising?” gives us a clue that an uprising IS going to happen (that lil’ ole literary device called foreshadowing). Whether they keep lines straight from book or not, we have to understand how high the stakes are for Katniss. In addition to the berries and some other lines mentioned, I really hope they keep Gale’s line, “I had to do that. At least once” for the romantic in me. And Snow’s line, “Peeta. How is the love of your life?” Because that’s so creepy. And for Katniss, “Why don’t you just kill me now?” It is one of the rare times she gives us that inner monologue on the outside.
For me, this chapter was one of the oddest in the whole series. I never quite got why Snow was so obsessed with Katniss. And it seemed so extremely unlikely that the all-powerful President of Panem would travel all the way to District 12 for this little one-on-one chat (and by CAR?). However, I have faith that if anyone can conjure up an emotionally plausible version of this scene it’s Donald Sutherland.
The only real-life parallel I can think of is Muammar Gaddafi’s scrapbook of Condoleezza Rice photos — so maybe they play up the crazy angle, not Sutherland doing Admiral General Aladeen, but Sutherland growing more and more obsessed with Katniss, sexually and otherwise.
This is sort of hinted at in the final scenes of HG: the creepy way Snow touches Katniss at the crowning(with gloves on no less!) and the strange closing scene in the control room that hints at Snow as a voyeur. It may be one of those aspects of the books that will actually turn out much better on film. Fingers crossed!
PS I agree that the kiss and the’By the way, I know about the kiss’ line needs to be moved up. It would be very effectively creepy to show Snow watching Katniss and Gale’s kiss. That would definitely establish Snow’s exceedingly bizarre obsession as something more than just political.
@roci That is very interesting about the Beaufoy cutting the Victors’ Tour rumor — makes sense.
The Victors’ Tour is okay (but not great) as part of a book, but as a movie sequence it would probably work fabulously only if the whole tour order was reversed.
If the Victors Tour starts in the Capitol and goes reverse order from the Capitol to the Careers’ Districts (with flashbacks to various deaths),then we get hints of uprisings in other districts and by the time we get to District 11 everything blows up in a big way! And Katniss, (AND EFFIE OMG!!!) get treated as CRIMINALS!!
So with this kind of sequencing, Katniss meets Snow in the Capitol fresh from a farewell kiss from Gale (which we see Snow watching). By the time we reach District 11 it’s clear that the engagement-victory tour idea has failed big time as a way to ‘quell’ the rebellion, and obviously the next climax is The Quarter Quell, which could easily be tacked onto the end of the Victory Tour, coupled with a District 12 crack-down.
What if they mess up this scene?!?! Agh….i just can’t afford to think like that…
@hana your idea about reversing the Victory tour sounds great, I actually thought of the same thing. they´ll probably do something of the sort, make the victory tour start in the capitol, katniss meeting plutarch and having the conversation with snow, then they´ll probably make a fast montage of the tour, which can be easily done, then devote a little more time to district 11, if only because the events in 11 are very shocking, katniss witnessing that man getting shot by the peacekeepers just because he whistled the mockingjay tune, that makes for a great cinematic moment.
do you guys think that you’ll do a By The Book for Mockingjay?????????
@sugar cubes+fish nets – If By the Book for Catching Fire proves popular enough I’m sure we’ll do one when the time comes for Mockingjay
I know I’m certainly enjoying doing them and reading all of your comments 
It’s making me think about the books in a different light all over again.
@Hana – what an interesting idea to reverse the Victory Tour, it would certainly make it a lot more suspenseful and you’re right, by the time they get back to District 12 things really are a mess.
I just hope they do include the Victory Tour to some extent, as that introduced a lot of important moments.
My general opinion is that I suspect the movie will show the Katniss-Gale kiss in “real time”, not as a flashback, especially because the handling of the “boy with the bread” flashback did come in for some criticism as confusing to those who didn’t already know the story. I can definitely see the “I had to try that once” line being left in. I can also see Peeta portrayed as “walking in” on the kiss and *then* getting hurt and jealous, as a way to give him motivation for his coldness to Katniss at the start of CF, which I agree wasn’t quite there in the HG movie, where I thought that while Peeta is shown as hurt and questioning, he really isn’t shown as angry. I really hope we see Peeta being angry or jealous in CF for the sake of MJ as well. Though I do fear the movie could go with a simple “perfectly pure Peeta corrupted by evil torturers” narrative that I know a lot of readers took away from MJ anyway, but I personally think SC meant there to be more to it than that.
Anyway, if the movies then shows that scene on tape and shown to Snow, that makes Snow’s comments to Katniss even more interesting, since now he knows not only that Katniss’s feelings for Peeta aren’t quite sincere, but that Peeta *knows* that. That would also set up/foreshadow Mockingjay, since I can certainly see Snow showing that tape to Peeta later on.
Hana, your comments about the possible sexual undertone to Snow’s obsession with Katniss are very interesting; I admit I’ve had such thoughts myself, even before the movie came out.
I think this has been on my mind really since I found out about how Snow victimized Finnick. There seemed to be very disturbing parallels to how he forced Finnick to become a prostitute by threatening his loved ones, and how he forces Katniss into a relationship with Peeta in CF by threatening *her* loved ones. That from Snow’s perspective at least, he’s forcing Katniss to prostitute herself, as well. Of course, SC doesn’t really spell this out, and I can understand why she doesn’t, since that would *really* cast doubts on the legitimacy of the Katniss-Peeta relationship.
But Snow does seem to be the type to link sex with power, not in the usual “partying politician” way, but almost like he’s a rapist-by-proxy. And that makes the scene where Snow hugs Katniss after she and Peeta get engaged uber-creepy, as it does his forcing Katniss to wear her wedding dress to the pre-Quell interview. All that being said, is that kind of subtext really going to make it into a PG-13 movie marked to middle schoolers? Probably, only in a very subtle form. Snow spying on Katniss kissing Gale, likely spying on some of her interactions with Peeta, I could see being included, with just enough ambiguity as to whether he’s doing so to scope out a potential threat to his power, or if he has another motivation as well.