After their Hunger Games read-throughs of Songbirds and Snakes, The Hunger Games, and Catching Fire, Britt and Chris are finishing Collins' series with an exploration of Mockingjay! *four-note whistle*
Each episode discusses 1-2 chapters of the book and opens with a recap in case you aren't reading along. Plus, if you're new to the series, there are handy time markers for any spoilers so you can avoid them! And, if you want to go in order, you can listen to their Songbirds and Snakes (here), The Hunger Games (here), and Catching Fire (here) read-throughs first.
Mockingjay Podcast Episodes
In this first episode of the Mockingjay read-through, Britt and Chris explore changes in Katniss, Peeta's interview with Caesar, District 13 culture, refugee and displaced experiences, ideas of mutual assured destruction, and much more!
In Chapter 3 of the Mockingjay book, Britt and Chris discuss Cinna and Katniss' friendship, Coin finding Katniss irksome, keeping a cat in District 13, and "Red Scare" propaganda. They also explore the POVs of Prim, Plutarch, and Coin.
Between the captivity and torture of the Prep Team, ideas of loving the Other, and disparities in medical care, Britt and Chris have a lot to discuss in this episode! They also think about the POVs and philosophies of Gale and District 13 residents.
In this Mockingjay book discussion, Britt and Chris discuss Finnick's experience with exploitation, Fulvia's reaction to Katniss' scar, kids' water guns and US society being saturated in weapons, hunting for sport, and *the* rebel slogan (😂). They also explore Beetee and Octavia's POVs in Chapter 5 and wonder about how much contact District 13 had with the Capitol before the plot ensued.
For Mockingjay Chapter 6, Britt and Chris discuss the pros and cons of Haymitch's propo brainstorming session, Bogg's humor, debt in the Capitol, Dalton from District 10, and invisible disabilities. They also explore the current POVs of Coin and Fulvia, plus the past POV of Cinna when he made Katniss' mockingjay suit.
Woah, Britt and Chris finally have a Mockingjay episode on *two* whole chapters! They discuss District 8, the film crew's bravery, war propaganda, the fire-bombings of Tokyo, and textile disasters in our own world. They also consider Haymitch eating Katniss' lunch and explore the POVs of Paylor and people in the districts seeing rebel propos for the first time.
In this Mockingjay book discussion, Britt and Chris spend a lot of time with "The Hanging Tree" and its role in District 12. They also explore Gale's complicity with those trying to use Katniss, Snow disguising lies as truth, the considerateness of Katniss, and the POVs of Finnick, Haymitch, and Cressida.
In this episode, Britt and Chris discuss Gale and Bogg's thoughtfulness, Katniss' empathy, Haymitch's growl, and the POVs of Johanna, Prim, and Capitol citizens. They also explore how elements of this chapter have parallels to our words regarding atomic bombs, Thailand's disaster preparedness, and school shooting drills.
For Mockingjay Chapter 11, Britt and Chris discuss Snow sending Katniss roses, Katniss' mental health, kitty games, stimming, sedatives, poultry farming, and Finnick being the best. They also explore the POVs of Haymitch and District 13 residents stuck in the bunker with Katniss.
This is such an important Finnick chapter and Britt and Chris spend a good amount of time discussing several facets of comercial sexual exploitation, pimping, and how they relate to this beloved character's experiences. They also discuss Haymitch at his best, Snow's use of poison, and the POVs of Beetee, Johanna, and Capitol citizens reacting to all the revealed secrets. Plus, Katniss' class consciousness adds a bit of fire to these these two leftists! 🔥
For their Mockingjay episode on Chapters 13-14, Britt and Chris discuss Peeta's hijacking, Prim advocating for Katniss, District 2's mining history, Capitol executions, and even some cute fanfic ideas! They also think about the POVs of Delly, Prim, and Sejanus (yes, of course Britt brings him in).
Still in District 2 this week, Britt and Chris discuss Katniss' radical empathy in a time of war, the Nut, what weapon Gale is using, a bit of Indonesian history, and even a Samwise Gamgee quote. They also explore the POVs of Lyme and Gale in Chapter 15, and Chris concludes he doesn't want to be a Gale.
In this episode, Britt and Chris discuss Finnick and Annie's wedding, Katniss' self image, justifications for violence, the opioid crisis, and holiday celebrations. They also explore the POVs of both Johanna and Haymitch.
For their Mockingjay discussion on Chapter 17, Britt and Chris explore Katniss wanting revenge, happy Finnick, Johanna's therapy, Palestinian Ahmad Manasra, District 13 rankings, and hunger (woah). They also think about the POV of evil-mutt Peeta and Chris' poor flirting history.
In this episode, Britt and Chris explore victor experiences, Coin wanting to downgrade Katniss to a soldier in new propos, Katniss’ significant change in her sense of self, US gun policies, and a bit of US and Russian military history. They also discuss the POVs of Haymitch, Peeta, and Johanna.
In this Mockingjay episode, Britt and Chris discuss the battle propos, prison reports, actual CIA mind-control attempts, and lists compiled by Peeta and Katniss. They also appreciate Jackson and Finnick and explore the POVs of Boggs, the film crew, Haymitch, and Peeta.
Britt and Chris discuss Katniss' empathy and strategic mind, government conspiracies, who is really on Katniss' side, questionable technology, and Coin's intentions behind sending Peeta to Squad 451. They also explore the POVs of Effie, Finnick, Cressida, and general Capitol citizens.
For their Mockingjay discussion on Chapter 21, Britt and Chris discuss Snow and Coin's broadcasts to Panem, Katniss being emotionally removed, the Capitol hoarding food, and sexy sewage systems™️. They also explore the POVs of Peeta, Snow, Pollux, and District 13 soldiers.
The episode Britt has been dreading is here, but it turned out quite meaningful. Finnick is truly the focal point – and rightly so. In addition to discussing Finnick and his death, Britt and Chris explore Katniss' empathy and vulnerability, persons with disabilities in warzones, cheapening in capitalism, and the POVs of Finnick, Cressida, Peeta, and even Snow during the sewage siege.
This week, Britt and Chris discuss Katniss as a narrator, the Everlark relationship, thrift stores in the Capitol, and the complexities and contingencies of history. They also explore the POVs of Tigris and Cressida.
Britt and Chris discuss the final war chapter as the crew makes a last push to Snow's mansion. They focus on the affection Katniss shows Tigris, and the POVs of Gale, Haymitch, Johanna, and displaced Capitol citizens. They also explore the topics of refugees, violence on all sides of war, and, "natural" disasters.
In this Mockingjay discussion, Britt and Chris explore Katniss' isolation, inability to celebrate the fall of the Capitol, and her calling herself a fire-mutt in the aftermath of Prim's death. They also explore the POVs of Coin, Snow, Delly, and Paylor, as well as find parallels between the chapter and pay-to-stay jails, conversion disorder, and bias in healthcare.
In the second to last chapter, Britt and Chris discuss changes in Effie after imprisonment, Peeta finally being quintessentially Peeta again, victors still being used even after the fall of the Capitol, and Gale's Nice Guy™️ attitude. They also explore the POVs of Coin, Annie, and Katniss' mom, along with many aspects of the real world like the practice of Fambul Tok.
In this final Mockingjay chapter episode, Britt and Chris discuss Snow's death, Plutarch's new singing show, Chris falling into a love trap, and Britt having some problems with the epilogue. They also explore the POVs of Peeta and Greasy Sae, along with many other fascinating parts of the end of this great book.
In the final episode of this Mockingjay podcast, Britt and Chris discuss meaningful thoughts on the book and their whole time with the triology, including narrative threads and new insights they've gained along the way. They also put a spotlight on characters that they've come to understand differently during this reread, like Cressida and even Snow.
If you enjoy these Mockingjay podcast episodes, subscribe to Geek Between the Lines on your podcast app to listen to what the podcast does next. You can also simply click here for Spotify, Google Music, or Apple Podcasts.
If you want even more content, Britt and Chris are hosting a bookclub on Mockingjay here on Patreon with special episodes, weekly discussions, and even virtual meet-ups. You can join them for only $1 per month plus help keep the podcast going!
...and until next time - GEEK OUT!