I know that writing things in the caption is a douche move, I know. But when I rewatched the movie I couldn’t help but think that this was probably one of my favorite additions to the movie. I’ve written more rant-like essays on the topic of the fandom’s perception of Gale than I’d like to admit, so I’ll try not to bore you too much, but regarding the entire argument I feel like this says a lot of what I’m trying to say.
I’ve always loved Gale as a character, not despite but because he’s flawed. He makes mistakes and he fails and he’s human. He’s angry, jealous, reckless. I don’t mind when people dislike him, because there are reasons to. What irks me is when a large portion of the fandom hates him for such a stupid reason.
As the story progresses, it becomes more and more clear to Gale that Katniss has fallen in love with someone else, and the odds of him having a relationship with the girl he loves are well, not in his favor. So he does what he can. He helps the rebels and channels all his anger into trying to bring down the capitol. He knows he’s not going to end up with Katniss. But no matter what, he knows he has one thing going for him: he takes care of her family, and keeps them safe. And when innocent Prim dies, her fate sealed by a bomb that may very well have been his idea, he’s lost everything. He understands that Katniss can’t look at him anymore. Gone is Prim, and with her, the last shreds of his friendship with Katniss.
What so many people seem to ignore is that Gale must surely have loved Prim. Not in the same way as he did Katniss, granted, but loved her nonetheless. He kept her safe and fed, and over the years these two families must have become so close-knit, unified in their shared fight for survival. I really loved how the movie showed them like this, almost as if they were family.
I just cannot stand when people hate Gale for no other reason than that ‘he killed Prim.’ Because, say whatever you want about him, he cared about her. You think you hate him for playing a part in her death? I don’t think anyone could hate him for it as much as he hates himself.
