A Catching Fire Line Subtly Revealed The Fate Of 1 Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Character

Summary

• Catching Fire
  alludes to Dr. Gaul’s likely fate after
  The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
  through a single line of dialogue.
• Plutarch’s conversation with Katniss hints at the dangerous destiny faced by Gamemakers like Dr. Gaul in
  The Hunger Games
  world.
• The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
  sheds new light on key scenes from the original series and raises more questions about certain characters’ fates.

The Hunger Games franchise has many connections between its movies, and Catching Fire confirms the fate of one Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes character with a single line of dialogue. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes adds context to the original Hunger Games movies, showing what the tournament was like decades prior to Katniss’ time in the arena — and painting a more detailed portrait of President Snow. While the series answers certain questions from the first set of films, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes raises more mysteries during its run.

Although viewers know where Coriolanus Snow winds up following the events of The Hunger Games prequel, several other characters’ fates remain unknown. One example is Lucy Gray, who isn’t heard from again after disappearing into the woods. Other characters at the Capitol also aren’t seen again after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. However, a Catching Fire line likely reveals what happened to one of them.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
is currently available to rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Catching Fire Confirms Dr. Gaul’s Likely Fate With 1 Line From Plutarch

Katniss and Peeta spend some time at the Capitol after their Victory Tour in Catching Fire, and that’s how Katniss first meets Plutarch Heavensbee. Plutarch is the Gamemaker for the 75th Hunger Games, but he’s revealed to be a revolutionary before the movie is through. It’s thanks to him that the Mockingjay lives beyond the second installment, and he later lends his talents to District 13’s rebellion. When Plutarch and Katniss first dance, Katniss believes he’s just another Gamemaker. And their conversation reveals a harsh truth about the job — one that can be used to devise Dr. Gaul’s fate after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

When the topic of Seneca Crane comes up during their dance, Plutarch tells Katniss, “Being Head Gamemaker has never been the most secure job in the world.” Given that Seneca was killed due to his failures, Plutarch is clearly alluding to the grim fates Gamemakers often meet. Judging by this conversation, Dr. Gaul probably faces a similar demise following The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. In fact, considering the details of Snow’s rise to power, it likely happened soon after the events of the prequel movie.

Why Dr. Gaul Was Probably Killed Not Long After The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes

President Snow is known for poisoning those who present a threat to him, something the original Hunger Games series references and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes actively shows. Although Snow and Dr. Gaul end the film as allies, the latter presents an obstacle to Snow’s rise to power. Needless to say, Dr. Gaul is probably removed from Snow’s path in a manner that’s similar to Dean Casca Highbottom. Plutarch’s comment in Catching Fire proves that Gamemakers face a high risk of death, and Snow seems especially callous about their treatment. These hints are enough to assume Dr. Gaul’s fate, even if The Hunger Games franchise never confirms it.