What should be changed from Mockingjay for the 2 movies?

[Stainlesssteele]

After reading Mockingjay multiple times, there are a few issues I had with it, which reading the pages on this site, many share the same issues. The Following are some of the many ways that these issues can be addressed and fixed in the film without changing the message of the series and the overall ending.
**SPOILERS BELOW** Long Post

Changes for Mockingjay Movie

- Have Finnick live
- Do not have Katniss be as cold and “weak” in Movie as she is in book (make her character a little stronger, like she was in the first two)
o Turning away from Peeta when his hijacking is revealed
o Hiding away when things get hard/confusing
o Should have her a little more like how she is through Catching Fire, strong, confident
- Prim does not NEED to die
o Close to death or almost dies perhaps
o Still allows for the Katniss/Gale fallout (Gale being responsible for the bomb designs and attack strategy)
o Katniss killing Coin is still available and believable
o Helps ease up, if not remove the Katniss suicide attempts in the end (helps maintain the PG-13 Rating)
- Gale gets some sort of closure with Katniss?
o Character does not just “disappear”
o Friendship with Katniss does not feel like it would just end like that (Based on how they were in HG and CF
o Fleshed out ending to Relationship. (I still feel they would have grown apart and lost any possibility of being together Like her and Peeta end up. Gale became too full of anger/hate, willing to sacrifice innocents. Katniss was becoming more caring, trying to preserve lives/innocence (less casualties) they became too different throughout Mockingjay.
- Peeta’s Hijacking is fleshed out more
o In movie, show how it happens (Get outside of Katniss’ point of view)
o Dial it down slightly for film purposes
o Flesh out and better show/explain his recovery process (How he gets back to how/who he used to be, or close to how/who he was in THG and CF)
- Flesh out certain, new key characters
- Replace Katniss’ prep team with Effie
o Based on first movie, Prep team is not as focal in the film universe
o Allows opportunity to show more depth to Effie’s character
- More President Snow scenes/development
o Show more of how he thinks
o Helps clarify some confusion around the last few chapters of the novel
- Katniss and Peeta’s relationship
o Dial down or change how she “abandons” Peeta when he is rescued and his Hijacking is revealed. (seems slightly off, given how her feelings were for him at the end of CF and throughout MJ, especially how her love for him seemed so strong after she saw the first interview of him)
o Flesh out how they grow back together
 Peeta’s recovery from the hijacking (How Katniss helps. How and when he returns to loving her again, like he did before, or close to how he used to in THG and CF)
 How/when Katniss begins to “heal” and love Peeta again, or more
 Does Katniss “settle” for Peeta?
• Is she with him more out of survival need or does she truly love him?
• Did she end up with him just because he was the only one around?
o Expand/flesh out the epilogue
 Are they married?
 Did she have the kids only because Peeta wanted them? Or did she gradually open up more and want them as well
 To what extent are they both “healed”
 What became of everyone else

- Things that will or should definitely happen/change for the movie:

o Show other characters situations/ POV
o Toughen Katniss up, possibly slightly, compared to how she is in the novel
 Have her a little more confident
 Make her less cold
 Less hiding (still have a couple of those situations, where/when they work. Don’t spend as much time on them as the book does)
o Have Finick Live
o Expand more on Johanna
o Eliminate the conversation between Gale and Peeta about who and how Katniss will choose. (Not really needed for the story, and finally eliminates the whole “did she settle/not truly love peeta” thing)
o Less violent/gruesome than the novel.
 Slightly altered deaths (how Prim dies?)
 Characters will be less physically damaged (Need to keep a PG-13 rating)
• Katniss will most likely be less scarred, especially from the bombing from the end.
• Evidence of this: the wounds suffered by Peeta and Katniss in the first movie, less severe than in the books.
 Not a bad thing for the film. Keeps the rating appropriate and allows for a greater amount of viewers to see it.

What do all of you think?
What else could or should be changed While translating it to the big screen?

[Ruth]

I think they should keep everything the same.

[Hannah]

I think they'll stay true to the book but obviously will elaborate more on things Katniss doesn't see first hand, like they've done with the other movies. they actually show what Snow or the people behind the scenes are doing.

I think we'll see some of Johanna and Peeta being held in the Capital (but I don't think the movie audience will know about the hijacking until the end of Mockingjay 1, I think they'll end the movie on Peeta trying to strangle Katniss) and other stuff. as much as I would like for Finnick to live I think they'll stay true to what happens in the book

[Stainlesssteele]

From what Francis Lawrence has said about how is doing Catching Fire and the Mockingjay movies, he is trying to stay as true to the books as possible, but is also making some alterations to characters (Peeta being able to swim and as he and Josh have said "Manning Peeta up"), and slight story adjustments, with Suzanne Collins' approval, given that she has been brought on to help write and work on the final 3 films.

I guess I mainly hope that some things are shown, like what is happening to them in the Capitol while Katniss and everyone else is in D 13, and things are fleshed out more, especially in regards to Peeta's recovery from the hijacking and how Katniss and Peeta's relationship grows back. The Epilogue definitely needs to be expanded on.

Ultimately, there are allot of things in Mockingjay that needs to be expanded on and fleshed out.

[Samiha]

I actually don't want Mockingjay to be made into two films. I don't think there is enough content to work with and in particular the first half might be just Katniss walking around the districts. Although, I'm sure I'll be happy that we still will have another movie left when Mockingjay part 1 comes out :)

[Kristen]

I don't really see the need for Finnick to die. I'd keep him alive, but everything else should say the same as the book.

When was Katniss ever weak? Except maybe when she tries to kill herself at the end. But that's completely understandable with everything she's been through.

While Prim's death was shocking and sad, I don't know that I'd change it. It's realistic and ironic. An interesting twist that you don't see coming.
Although, for Katniss' sake it'd be nice if she survived.

[L]

The only two things is Finnick lives! And instead of Peeta wanting to kill Katniss he forgets her. That would be a whole other ball game;) Plus i just can't even oh and Katniss better be more freaking affectionate damn it!

[Ruth]

Callie wrote: "I think that they should keep everything the same and stay true to the book. The entire reason that I'll be watching the movie is to see the book being played out on the screen, and if it's not doi..."

I know, right?

[krisusnoona]

for my opinion

i dont like how peeta got weak in this book , like he's kinda useless bec, of what happened to him in catching fire , and the relationship between katniss and gale after primrose died , and katniss' mother , i hoped they both end well.. thanks

[Dolores]

I'd keep everything the same. After being through a war of course it's going to feel unfinished but I do agree with the fact that Prim didn't need to die. I don't see what the point of that was. If someone can explain it to me be my pleasure I would love for some clarity on why Prim had to die.

[⚜Renna Grace ⚜]

That would like change the whole thing and wouldn't be anything at all like the book. The point of a movie coming after a book is to keep things as close as you can without the movie failing. Like having every detail would make the movie not good, but if you took out all those details it would make the movie fail even more. Like having Prim not die. THat would ruin it. All movies need a sad part in it. The whole book is a little sad but you need like……..depressing and emotional at some points or else it wouldn't be a good movie.
That's my opinion. No offense to any body who thinks different.

[Adriana]

That suggestion is almost "Make a movie completely different from the book" and I think that is something everybody will hate... Come on! We love the book as it is even with the sad parts like Finnick's and Prim's dead

[Katie]

keep everything the same!! it's a rebellion against the captitol, people are going to die!!! also yeah Katniss is suppose to be strong but that's only because she's the symbol and inspiration of the uprisings, when she runs away from things it's showing her true self, how she does have feelings and that she is so scared for everyone and thing, if she was made a really strong character then her love for Peeta and Gale would not come through. The book is showing the breaking down of the whole world around everyone, a world the Capitol built up it needs to have the deaths and reality to make it realistic.

[Matilda]

As far as possible, I'd keep it the same. Otherwise it turns predictable, generic formula teen crap that let's face it, most of us are sick of. Mockingjay was never meant to be a happy ending. Their injuries were never meant to heal. Not everyone was meant to live. And the relationships weren't meant to be perfect. Also, I quite admire Collins for creating characters who have flaws, and who change when they go through tragedies, who become 'damaged'. Though I don't like the word weak. I think you change those details, and you've changed the whole message of the book.

[Monkique]

No No No!!

I'm going to accept that I do not like some things in this book (specially what happened to Peeta) but why do you want to change almost all the work and ideas of Suzanne Collins? It's her book! It's her story!

[Charlotte]

Save Finnick!

[Katie]

if you want to change nearly everything then it won't be Mockingjay

[Felicia]

they should keep every thing the same the book was incredibal

[Stainlesssteele]

From my original post, which started this, I wasn't saying everything should be changed, just with stuff that was changed in the first movie (i.e. no artificial leg), and things that Francis Lawrence has changed in the Catching Fire movie (Katniss catching on to things without being told, Peeta not being as weak/being able to swim) I think it is possible to have certain things possibly altered, slightly, and still have everything work the same.

**SPOILERS FOR CATCHING FIRE MOVIE BELOW**

In regards to the Catching Fire Movie, I really enjoyed it, even with certain scenes missing, though I did find that Katniss and Peetas relationship seemed rushed in the film. Certain scenes, Mainly them working on the "plant book" and the rooftop scene before they go into the arena were missing. These scenes in the book helped show how they became closer, and how Katniss began to really love and possibly began falling in love with Peeta. Those and the beach scene seemed downplayed in the movie compared to how it was in the book. The movie seemed to push that Katniss was always with and already had those feelings for Gale.

This leaves me a little weary as to how they will portray Katniss from the beginning of Mockingjay, with how much she wanted and clearly really loved Peeta, granted that it was not as clearly shown in the CF movie as it was in the book.

[Jennifer]

Samiha wrote: "I actually don't want Mockingjay to be made into two films. I don't think there is enough content to work with and in particular the first half might be just Katniss walking around the districts. A..."

After seeing "Catching Fire" I think there is enough in Mockingjay for 2 movies -- CF was LONG and still felt very rushed.

[Kenzi]

You are totally rewriting the book here. Maybe you didn't like he series?

[Cameron]

I dont think that the actual story should change, I am just a little nervous that it will be kind of, um, messed up with the part with the explosions at the Capitol. I think if they just make that scene so that you see an explosion and nothing else it will be an awesome movie.

[Nurlely]

I think the 2 movies must stay true to the book. Nothing should be changed to alter the awesome story Ms Collins had imagined and written.

If anything should be added to the movies, they should be things -which were only told from Katniss' point of view in the book- happened to the characters involved, but they must never change anything.

You seemed to want so many things changed I wonder if you do like the series.

[Cameron]

Nurlely wrote: "I think the 2 movies must stay true to the book. Nothing should be changed to alter the awesome story Ms Collins had imagined and written.

If anything should be added to the movies, they should be..."

I agree, a few very minor details would be okay to be added or slightly changed (like, for instance, if Katniss had a different color dress than the book says or something minor), but nothing too major or else the story will be ruined. I mean, some of you are trying to rewrite every detail. I understand that there are a few things that make it sad, but it's a great book as it is.

[Cameron]

Stainlesssteele wrote: "After reading Mockingjay multiple times, there are a few issues I had with it, which reading the pages on this site, many share the same issues. The Following are some of the many ways that these ..."

Um, that kind of changes the entire story here.

[[deleted user]]

Stainlesssteele wrote: "After reading Mockingjay multiple times, there are a few issues I had with it, which reading the pages on this site, many share the same issues. The Following are some of the many ways that these ..."


The deaths of Finnick and Prim hit us all hard, and we all hated the ending.

This does not mean it should all be changed. Sometimes, you just have to grit your teeth and live with it. Suzanne Collins didn't kill off Prim and Finnick for fun, she thought it was what had to happen, and shit happens like that in war.

Sure they will leave out some scenes and change a few things, but they're not going to change something as drastic as keeping the characters alive who died. That is how the story goes and if you don't like it, boo hoo.

Most things you have listed to be changed are just ridiculous, sorry. You can't just change the story like that.

Not forgetting, this new director we have did a magnificent! job on CF. It was so true to the book, that has become one of my favourite movies. You can tell he wants the movies to be like the books, unlike Gary Ross who was disgraceful, so I don't think too much of Mockingjay is going to be changed.

[Nurlely]

Em wrote: "...The deaths of Finnick and Prim hit us all hard, and we all hated the ending...."

Uhm... I feel the ending is a bit rushed but I never hate the ending. For me, the series is a great read!

[Stainlesssteele]

As I mentioned midway through this thread, upon further thinking, I never necessarily thought all of that should be done/changed, but given how the movies have been done, and what has been altered in them, scenes being changed and characters being slightly altered, I believe some of the the Mockingjay movies should and will have some changes.

The reasons I feel this is are that:

- It is being split into 2 PG-13 movies, meaning certain deaths will NEED to be shown in a slightly different way, or in cases like Finnick's, who's death didn't seem to really impact anyone, can be completely changed so that he lives.

- The main thing that will definitely need to be expanded on still is Katniss and Peeta's relationship. In the books it still seems rushed at times and it is never really shown or explained how much Peeta recovers and how much he loves Katniss in the end or how much Katniss loves Peeta in the end. This I thinks should definitely be touched on as I know others have expressed how they are dissapointed with how rushed the ending of tghe book seems and how unclear their relationship is.

Given that it is a movie, there is a higher likelihood that they will have the ending be a little bit more clear and happy.

That said, in regards to the film series:

**SPOILERS FOR CATCHING FIRE MOVIE BELOW**

I really enjoyed the movie. That said, there were certain scenes missing. From these missing/shortened scenes I found that Katniss and Peeta's relationship seemed rushed in the film. Certain scenes, Mainly them working on the "plant book" and the rooftop scene before they go into the arena were missing. These scenes in the book helped show how they became closer, and how Katniss began to really love and possibly began falling in love with Peeta. The beach scene also felt a tiny bit downplayed in the movie compared to how it came across in the book. The movie seemed to push that Katniss was always with and already had those feelings for Gale.

*************************

This leaves me a little weary as to how they will portray Katniss and Peeta's relationship through the Mockingjay movie, given how much she clearly really loved Peeta and how much she wanted him back in the books, granted that it was not as clearly shown in the CF movie that she had really fallen for him like she did in the book.

[[deleted user]]

Nurlely wrote: "Em wrote: "...The deaths of Finnick and Prim hit us all hard, and we all hated the ending...."

Uhm... I feel the ending is a bit rushed but I never hate the ending. For me, the series is a great r..."

Yeah I felt the ending a bit rushed too, and I didn't like it, but I didn't love/hate it.

[Nurlely]

Stainlesssteele wrote: "...in cases like Finnick's, who's death didn't seem to really impact anyone, can be completely changed so that he lives...."

Why should Finnick be alive? Because fans wanted him to? I like Finnick character too, but I think his death makes sense. Finnick was a warrior and was likely to sacrifice himself to save others.

I don't think the scene was written in order to keep fans happy but more to relate to the previous or later story.

Regarding the movie. I think Francis Lawrence did an amazing job with Catching Fire and believe that he will do the same with Mockingjay movies.

[Stainlesssteele]

Nurlely wrote: "Stainlesssteele wrote: "...in cases like Finnick's, who's death didn't seem to really impact anyone, can be completely changed so that he lives...."

Why should Finnick be alive? Because fans wante..."

I also believe he did an amazing job with the movie. I did not mean to sound like I hated it. I just found there was more development and growth of Peeta and Katniss' relationship in the books compared to the movie. Their relationship in the movie seemed slightly rushed and not as clearly grown as it was in the book. I'm thinking this more from what friends of mine, who did not read the books, have said about how they were in the movie. They could not tell if she was in love with Peeta or just acting for the cameras to keep him alive. I did not explain to them how it is the books.

That is why I said I was slightly weary of how it will come across in the next movie or 2.

I am still very much looking forward to how he will do the next movies, especially from the set photos thus far.

[Nurlely]

Stainlesssteele wrote: "I'm thinking this more from what friends of mine, who did not read the books, have said about how they were in the movie. ..."

I don't think Katniss realised what she was feeling for Peeta until the end of Catching Fire. Not because she was ignorant, but because she made her sister and mom as the priority of her life, not her love life. She thought that she would marry Gale, but never took that thought as something that will make her happy. It was more of a default. Everyone thought so, and she also believed so.

With Peeta, it was not clearly described, for it was something new, to choose him because she didn't want to be parted from him. What happened in CF was more of Katniss wanted Peeta to be saved, even if the option was between her and Peeta. She didn't probably understand why and didn't bother to check out her feeling furthermore for she didn't have the luxury to contemplate her feeling. Her goal was to fight the Capitol and that had already took all her time and energy.
I didn't get the idea of Katniss loved Peeta in CF book too. I think that she started to feel something more for Peeta and was so mad when she knew that she lost her, but her love message was not out loud.

I agreed with CF movie regarding that lack of love sense part.

[Anna]

I can't believe they're making Mockingjay into two movies. Next to nothing happens in the book until the last third!

[[deleted user]]

I forgot, where does Peeta come in?? Is it before half way? I read this series almost 2 years ago :p

[Louise]

SPOILER ALERT

I was really excited to read Mockingjay after loving the first two in the trilogy and I was left utterly disappointed. Katniss became a completely different character in the 3rd book. She seemed weak, she lost her spark, she lost her courage and she lost my interest. Her rescue from the Hunger Games in Catching Fire was all part of a plan for what, exactly? So she could just be the face of the revolution? Just a puppet to be hauled in front of the cameras to spread propaganda? What was the point in that? Peeta would've made a better Mockingjay. He was likeable, could easily make allies and always knew the right things to say. And please, why on earth was Peeta not part of the story until half way through the book? He is one of the main characters and I missed him for most it. I kept waiting for her to save him. Where was her desperation to rescue him, especially knowing that he was being tortured and yet she just abandons him!? That was a complete about-face from Catching Fire when her whole focus was to save him. I really loved the dynamic between Katniss and Peeta in The Hunger Games and Catching Fire but it was lost in Mockingjay for a good portion of the book. I would've liked to see him rescued from the Capitol a lot earlier in the storyline, and Katniss should've been an integral part of that plan, but she never really seemed to be necessary in any plan? I was relatively happy with the ending, although it seemed very rushed, as if Suzanne Collins was in a hurry to finish writing it. Prim's death happened so fast that I had to go back and re-read it and I still couldn't feel any emotion. With all that aside, I'm really glad Katniss stopped fighting her feelings for Peeta. It was clear he was her true love from the very beginning of the Hunger Games story. He was her protector, and showed her love and hope and compassion amongst all the horror going on around her, whether it was in District 12, the Games or in the war. Gale is a fighter and appeared heartless and merciless to me in this book. For such a wonderful story idea, I think the final book in the trilogy is a complete mess and I really hope the movie can fill in the gaps so I can finally have closure.

[Pixie]

Everything should stay the same. Even as much as I hate it that Finnick and Prim dies, it should stay true to the book. I think that they should elaborate on the characters a lot more at the end of the book. What happens to Gale, Haymitch and Johanna and Katniss's mother. These are characters that we fell in love with and we don't get to see how they are doing? Elaborate a little bit more and how Peeta finally gets back to his old self as well.

[Pixie]

Also about everyone saying she is weak, of course by the end of the series she gets likes this...has mental breakdowns...her and Peeta both broken...so they can fix each other together. All the people that she lost, everything that has happened to her, I would be in wayyy worse condition.

[Morrigan]

I understand that these are your personal opinions,but i dis-agree with some of them.i do not think Katniss is weak.look at all she has been through!Most people would be much worse.And to those of you who say that she wasn't part of the plan to rescue Peeta,you obviously skipped a part.Haymitch wouldn't let her go to the capitol to rescue Peeta.I also think that Katnisses feelings for Peeta were there throughout all three books.And for those of you who say she needs to be more affectionate to Peeta, it is said in the book she is simply not a affectionate person.And yes,she did marry Peeta because she loved him.like it says here:"I know this would have happened any way.That what i need to survive is not Gales fire,kindled with rage and hatred. I have plenty of fire myself.What i need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow flower that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on,no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can give me that.
So after,when he whispers,"You love me.Real or not real?"
I tell him,"Real." -Pg. 388 of Mockingjay.

[Morrigan]

And about the whole "katniss is weak"thing,she's 17 for godssake!i'd like to see how you would act under the same circumstances!For a 17 year old girl,i think she's handling things pretty well.

[Kristine]

Louise wrote: "SPOILER ALERT

I was really excited to read Mockingjay after loving the first two in the trilogy and I was left utterly disappointed. Katniss became a completely different character in the 3rd book..."

The role of propaganda in war is very important. It unites, inspires, keeps morale high etc. Snow was terrified of Katniss as the Mockingjay. It's why he high jacked Peeta and allowed him to be rescued in the hope he'd kill Katniss.

Peeta would have been good, but not as the Mockingjay. That identity was Katniss's which started when she volunteered for the games, continued when she befriended Rue and then with the berries. Katniss also knew the right things to say ie. on the Victory Tour in District 11 and as the Mockingjay in District 8 and when the Nut was destroyed. The difference between Katniss and Peeta was that for Katniss it needed to be spontaneous.

Katniss didn't have the means to rescue Peeta and she didn't know of his torture until the last of his television appearances. It was this that precipitated the rescue as she couldn't function as the Mockingjay. Where do you get the idea that he was 'abandoned'?

[Kristine]

I wouldn't change anything in the book. But Mockingjay, out of all the books, suffered the most from being exclusively from Katniss's POV. There's a lot of plotting that we miss from Snow and Coin. And then there's the trial. I suspect a plot between Paylor and Plutarch to get rid of Coin and they subtly steered Katniss in that direction eg. Paylor letting Katniss see Snow. It will interesting to see if I'm right about that.

Peeta's treatment for the high jacking would be good too esp. following Coin's assassination. And why was Peeta standing close enough to Katniss to prevent her suicide? He suspected something was up I'm guessing but I'd like to see the thought process behind that.

And more about 'growing together'. There doesn't need to be a lot more - a montage perhaps. And is the 'you love me, real or not real?' follow a session of love making, or not?

I think a good dividing point would be Katniss setting off with the Star Squad with the intention of killing Snow.

[Jenifer1223]

I think the POV changing is a given. But plot wise, I wouldn't really change anything. The only thing I didn't like very much in the book was that Katniss and Peeta coming back together in the end felt way too rushed. It's basically...oh yeah...we grew together. In one paragraph. Then...the epilogue where their children apparently either don't have names or Katniss doesn't know her own kid's names. I felt the ending of the book was good...but sloppy. I hope they give a little more depth to this part, but don't change it.

It may just be me...but I just felt like the Katniss and Peeta ending was a part of development that deserved a little more than a paragraph and a not so strongly written epilogue.

I have a feeling the movies will be adjusted just enough to either make the existing ending not feel rushed...or...it will flesh it out a bit more.

That's really my only major gripe with the book. Otherwise, I think the natural course these movies are taking, and considering the alterations to Catching Fire, will fix a lot of the other commonly held problems...such as Katniss's degree of passiveness.

[angel]

Pretty long list, but Prim and Finnick's deaths kind of fuel Katniss's motivation, so they would be pretty important. If Prim didn't die, I don't think Katniss would've realized that she must kill Coin, who can be a dictator just as bad as Snow. Besides, Katniss's suicide attempts probably would't make it rated R; most movies get high ratings because of foul language and sexual content. I do agree with adding more details of what happens in the end, though. It'll probably be added to make the movie seem more whole.

[Digitayel]

Most of it can stay the same, but here is what they should change.

Have Finnick live! For one thing, his death was SO unnecessary and it was SO dumb! EVERYBODY loves Finnick!! If they killer him, think of all the hate they would get! They should at least give the illusion that he died, but when Katniss kills Alma, he comes back.

[Dcrunnergal]

I loved Finnick and hated that he died. But, while I think he does need to die, I'd just like for his death to not be meaningless. Maybe have him die to save someone else, or to somehow further advance the mission.

And more Johanna would be great! But other than those two things, I think they should change as little as possible.

[Crystal]

Dolores wrote: "I'd keep everything the same. After being through a war of course it's going to feel unfinished but I do agree with the fact that Prim didn't need to die. I don't see what the point of that was. If..."

Prim died to prove how corrupt Coin was. Plus, it was the perfect twist of irony. It all started with Katniss volunteering to save her, and in the end she failed to do just that. I understand why it happened, and I don't really think there was a better way to turn Katniss against Coin. So I think, among everything else, that definitely needs to stay the same.

[Crystal]

After reading through a lot of the above comments, I'd like to say two things about Finnick:

1. I agree that his death needs to be much more than it was. He was a great character, and his death was poorly done. I just hope the movie pays its respects to Finnick and does his death justice.

2. Someone said "I like Finnick, but if every good character got to live it would be boring." I'm sorry, but I just have to say I don't agree with this. Finnick and Cinna (c'mon, really?) were my favorite characters, and the two main characters were so seriously screwed up by the end that I don't buy the fact that they'd ever be remotely happy. So couldn't just one likable, good person live to the end of the story?