What It's Like Watching Mockingjay — Part 2 When You Haven't Read the Book

Updated on Nov 27, 2015 at 8:30 AM

I want to start by saying that yes, I'm ashamed of myself. I read both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, but somehow, I never made it to Mockingjay. Despite the intermittent prodding from co-workers, the third of Suzanne Collins's trilogy just never made it off my reading list. It sat there for years, staring at me as I read Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant. It judged me while I checked off trendy thrillers like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train, but I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. Around a month before Mockingjay — Part 1's release, I just decided I would never read it. If I could avoid spoilers, I'd be able to enjoy the movies that much more. So I boycotted. I watched Part 1, but Part 2 was more important. It's the conclusion! And I had no idea how things would end. Here's a summation of what it was like watching the movie, armed with zero knowledge.

When You Sit Down and You're Kind of Proud You Made It

Like I said, I've been ashamed to be missing out on the book, but getting through these final months without spoilers has been challenging; I've had to literally walk out of rooms.

When You See Katniss and Remember How Part 1 Ends

Of course, the final book is split into two movies, and that last one ends on quite a cliffhanger. What would happen next? Nobody knows! Oh wait, everyone knows except for me.

When She Kisses Gale

Say what? Are they a real thing now? Who cares, I love it.

When That Hologram Thing Gets Whipped Out

Because I'm a pro, I looked it up, and it's a "holo."

When They Get Trapped in That Town Square and the Oil Is Cascading In

I thought the Hunger Games were over? What is this noise?

Then When Those Underground Monsters Come Raging Into the Light

What the actual eff? Am I watching American Horror Story right now?

When Finnick Is Viciously Torn Apart

Damn you, Suzanne Collins!

When You See Tigress

At this point, I literally turned to the person next to me and asked what was going on.

When President Snow Invites Everyone to His Mansion

I know enough about President Snow to know that his mansion could not fit all those people. What am I, some kind of dummy?

Then When the Tiny Parachutes Come Out of the Sky

One of the Capitol residents exclaims, "Oh, gifts!" No, girl.

When Prim Dies

OK, now I'm glad I didn't read the book. I don't need this emotion in my life.

When Katniss Comes Face-to-Face With Snow

I was so sure there would be a physical confrontation. Katniss would ruin Snow.

When Snow Tells Katniss Who Really Set That Trap

I'm sorry, what? OH DEAR GOD.

Then When Katniss Kills President Coin Instead

You didn't have to read the book to see this one coming, but it's still very exciting.

And Then When the Residents Storm President Snow

I'm really glad they cut away, because it was about to get Medieval up in there.

When Joanna's Hair Grows Back So Quickly

No one's hair grows that fast. That could not have been in the book.

When Katniss Moves Home by Herself

At least Haymitch is her neighbor, but damn, District 12 is looking bleak.

And You're Stoked When Peeta Shows Up, but So Sad For Gale

I guess it was always going to be Peeta, wasn't it?

When Katniss and Peeta Have Fierce Little Babies

So what if I was crying a little bit at Katniss in mommy mode?

And It's Over, But You're Still Kind of Worried About Katniss

I really kept waiting for a terrible twist ending that would set up another round of Hunger Games. Thank goodness there's peace, and hopefully Peeta will hang on to Katniss. She's probably literally the only woman who lives within 50 miles.