Hijack Episode 5 Review: Professional negotiator Sam Nelson, played by Idris Elba, is struggling to keep up with the situations that are coming his way onboard flight KA29 which has been hijacked on its way from Dubai to Heathrow. Will he be able to keep the passengers safe? How long before the ground authorities realise that there’s something wrong? Will Sam be able to establish communication? Written by George Kay and directed by Jim Field Smith, Hijack is a fast-paced thriller streaming on Apple TV+. Besides Elba, the cast includes Ben Miles, Neil Maskell, Max Beesley, Eve Myles, Archie Panjabi, and Christine Adams.
In this article, we will be talking about the events of Episode 5, titled “Less Than An Hour”, and in which direction the story is headed. Episode 4 ended with two tragedies being averted, all thanks to Sam, who managed to contact his ex-wife Marsha as well as save the life of one of the hijackers. However, a new problem has come up in the form of an envelope headlined “demands” handed to the home secretary.
Personally, episode 5 is a manifestation of the phrase “so close yet so far”. CTC London manages to get a hit on a person who can give them more intel on the hijackers. Meanwhile, Flight KA29 gets a chance to land because Ryan, who is basically breathing through a pen, needs immediate medical assistance. Will this be the end of a long and tiring flight?
Apple TV’s Hijack Episode 5 Review Contains Major Spoilers
Hijack Episode 5 Recap
To keep things clear, let’s divide the episode into three parts. One that deals with the events on the plane, one with those at CTC and the third one with those at Neela’s house. First things first, we have Sam, who figures that one of the crew members, Anna, is Hungarian.
With the flight about to enter Hungarian airspace, he chalks out a way to tell Stuart, the hijacker with whom he has been speaking, how they need to land the plane in Hungary to help Ryan, who Sam has inferred from Ryan’s interaction with Stuart, is Stuart’s brother. He knows Stuart will say yes to the landing because it’s his brother’s life on the line. And that’s exactly what happens. Anna is brought to the cockpit to speak to ATC Hungary and ask for permission to land.
Down at CTC London, the home secretary arrives with the envelope that reveals that the organized crime group behind the hijack wants two of its members, namely Edgar Janssen and John Bailey-Brown, released. They were wrongfully convicted, which sounds dubious because they were involved in drugs and sex trafficking, among other illegal stuff. However, while wrongful conviction is out of the question, I would like to hear the versions of the two guys in question.
Meanwhile, Daniel and another officer head to Elaine’s house. She is the mother of Ryan, aka Lewis and Stuart. From the way she speaks, it’s clear that either she is involved in the organization, which is less likely, or she knows she has to keep her mouth shut if she wants to protect her kids, which makes more sense. The fear that can be heard in her voice proves that the crime group in question is dangerous and doesn’t like to have loose ends. The fact that police are already at her place means that either her sons will be killed or she will have to die. Naturally, she chooses the latter.
Also Read: Hijack Episode 4 Review: To Abort a Disaster or Two
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Back at Neela’s place, a woman contacts the police and tells them that she saw two mysterious men come out of Neela’s house. The police discover the bodies of Neela and Abdullah. This news reaches CTC, where Zahra and her team, along with the home secretary and the foreign secretary, realize that Neela was the one who let the hijackers onto the plane. Meanwhile, the two guys who killed Neela and Abdullah arrive at Sam’s house to, well, “clean” it. The place would have been empty had it not been for Sam’s son, who arrived there maybe only a couple of hours ago at max.
A parameter is set up at the Gyor airport in Hungary with a Counter Terrorism Centre of Hungary (TEK) unit in position after ATC Hungary realizes that the pilot intends to bring an end to the flight’s journey and greenlights KA29 for landing. CTC London is aware of the developments. But all this amounts to nothing because Ryan dies. He sacrifices to avoid the landing. He knows that if the plane lands, it will be the end of their objective. This was really brave on his part, but it’s what Sam does then that takes us aback. He aborts the landing.
Hijack Episode 5 Review
Sam is truly a pro at noticing and deducing and, dare I say, has at least some qualities of Sherlock Holmes (also British). But while Sherlock made his process seem impossible, the way Sam functions only proves that he is the best at his game. As a negotiator, he is supposed to take notice of every little detail and put them to good use.
Sam’s decision to abort the landing sends any possibility of the rescue of the passengers down the drain for the time being. There will have to be a new plan of action both on his part and on the part of CTC London. Moreover, his decision to abort the landing may seem wrong, but it had to be done. This will only allow him to have Stuart’s trust, which in turn will definitely help him in looking for a different plan.
While Sam is dealing with the hijackers, we are yet to know what happens to Elaine and Sam’s son. Does Elaine die? Or does Daniel save her from the oncoming traffic? Moreover, what are Sam’s son’s whereabouts? Is he taken? Or does he escape? And what will be CTC’s steps in response to the demands of the organized crime group and the death of Neela and Abdullah? Episode 6 has a lot of answers in store.
The new episode is now streaming on Apple TV+.
Did you like Apple TV Hijack Episode 5? Do let us know in the comments below.
Also Read: All of Our Hijack Reviews