Forget the edge-of-your-seat suspense: Hijack Season 2 on Apple TV+ takes a nosedive, leaving viewers longing for the thrilling ride of its predecessor. What went wrong?
Remember Idris Elba's electrifying performance as Sam Nelson in 'Hijack' Season 1? He was the smooth-talking lawyer aboard a hijacked Kingdom Airlines flight from Dubai to London, using his negotiation skills to protect over 200 passengers. The show was a hit thanks to Elba's charisma and the constant, nail-biting tension. But here's where it gets controversial... Season 2, while featuring the same protagonist, abandons much of what made the original so compelling. Is it possible to recapture the magic, or is this a case of diminishing returns?
Two years after the Kingdom Airlines ordeal, we find Sam Nelson in Berlin, Germany, near a U-Bahn station. He seems like the same stoic and sharp individual, but a closer look reveals a man burdened by exhaustion and uncertainty. His hesitant demeanor as he boards the crowded U5 train immediately sets an unsettling tone. This is a stark contrast to the confident negotiator we saw in season one. Will this new Sam be able to navigate this new crisis?
The scene expands to include Sam's ex-wife, Marsha (Christine Adams), on a solitary retreat, and introduces Clara (Lisa Vicar), a new face at the U-Bahn command center. We also meet Olivia (Clare-Hope Ashitey), waiting for Sam at the British Embassy. And then there's Otto (Christian Näthe), the agitated U5 conductor. Otto's unusual behavior even catches the attention of a station manager who requests a replacement. The tension escalates when Sam suddenly breaks into Otto’s cabin and declares he is hijacking the train.
The show shines when focused on the train and its passengers. We see a diverse group of individuals: a former intern with a past connection to Sam, students on a museum trip, and a young father struggling to soothe his crying baby. The audience becomes engrossed in watching their reactions and behaviors as they slowly realize the gravity of the situation. The intrigue lies in how quickly things can change when Sam's plans are disrupted or when law enforcement unexpectedly intervenes. This human element is arguably the strongest part of the season.
And this is the part most people miss... 'Hijack' Season 2 tries to be too serious, losing the streamlined storytelling and palpable tension that defined Season 1. Instead, the season becomes a tangled mess of plot points, jumping between the past and present, which ultimately makes it feel clunky and tedious. While it's clear that Sam is driven by revenge, he's not the central focus. Numerous characters outside the train, such as Berlin Chief of Police Ava Winter (Christiane Paul) and MI5 Agent Peter Fabar (Toby Jones), feel like mismatched puzzle pieces that only awkwardly come together in a rather anticlimactic finale. Did the writers lose sight of what made the first season so gripping?
Still, the season does touch upon compelling themes like global surveillance, the devastating consequences of revenge, and the profound pain of grief. However, these themes detract from the thriller's pacing and intense flow, which made the first season so captivating. Moreover, the idea that the same person would stumble into yet another shocking international incident stretches believability, even for devoted TV fans. Despite the strong performances, 'Hijack' Season 2 lacks the punch to sustain its narrative. Perhaps Sam's story should have ended on that London runway. What do you think? Could they have found a more believable way to continue the story?
'Hijack' Season 2 premiered January 14 on Apple TV+, with new episodes released weekly on Wednesdays. Do you agree with this review? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
