Final Call – The episode begins with Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) amidst the bustling backdrop of the Dubai Airport. Pilot Robin Allen (Ben Miles) and co-pilot, Anna Kovacs (Kaisa Hammarlund), perform the final checks. Alec (Justin Salinger) races through the airport to the boarding gate where he skips to the desk. A security guard (Adnan Rashed) refuses him access when Neela Kumar (Nikklta Chada) claims to have been alerted of his impending arrival. Robin and Anna chat with Abdullah (Mohamed Faisal Mostafa) before the airplane takes flight. Deevia Khan (Zora Bishop) prepares to lead the cabin crew.

Sam arrives at check-in with a gift for his wife. Alec arrives as the attendant installs the barricade. Alec’s pleas fall on deaf ears until Sam intervenes.

On board, David Miller (Marcus Garvey) and Kate Miller (Rochenda Sandall) struggle to settle in with their children, Freddie (Kyan Battick) and Lizzy Miller (Lucia Aliu). Offering to put their luggage in a spare compartment, Arthur (Jeremy Ang Jones) encounters co-worker Colette (Kate Phillips) who changed flights to be with her boyfriend. Deevia stores the luggage in Sam’s empty compartment. As Anna and Ben are cleared for takeoff, text communication reveals Sam’s wife, Marsha Nelson-Smith (Christian Adams) wants to end their marriage but doesn’t want him on the flight. Annoyed by a loud video game, he asks Hugo (Harry Michell) to decrease the volume.

Nelson House – Marsha receives Sam’s text that confirms he is already on the plane. Daniel O’Farrel (Max Beesley) greets her with a passionate good morning kiss.

The Flight – Terry (Jasper Britton) lets Naomi (Mei Henri) utilize the toilet first. Naomi is shocked to discover a bullet in the restroom. She gives the bullet to Terry who suggests keeping it quiet before heading to see his nephew, Stuart Atterton (Nell Maskell). Deevie tries to stop him from entering first class but he goes over her head to alert Stuart of the bullet. Not too eager to implement their plan three hours ahead of schedule, Stuart suggests lying to Naomi about the bullet belonging to authorized personnel. Terry voices concern about Naomi not believing his claim. Handing him a cap, Stuart says to make sure the crew sees him wearing it before reminding him that they only need five minutes. Sam watches as Stuart dons the hat and gives a false security breach spiel to a group of athletes. Mona (Cecilia Appiah) disputes his claim before activating the call button.

Dubai Airport – Neela Kumar (Nikkita Chadha) receives a dire call from a hysterical Senil. In his native tongue, he orders her to lie to her boss about being unwell because she is needed at home.

Cabin – Kate deals with an irate passenger regarding her children’s video game. In first class, Sam sees Stuart with an unusual bag in his possession. Mona informs Arthur of the “object in the toilet. He has no clue what she is talking about. Elsewhere, Jaden (Mohamed Elsandel) takes something from Alec’s bag to the toilet. It is a bag identical to that of Stuart’s. Deevia encounters Sam walking around. He claims to be looking for a wash bag. She says they are only available for overnight flights. An anxious Arthur and female athletes start to draw attention from another passenger. On his way to coach, Sam inspects the passenger bags. Jamie Constantinou (Aimee Kelly) and Jaden emerge from the restroom. Terry joins them as Stuart prevents Deevia from reaching the cockpit.

Nelson’s House – Kai Nelson (Jude Cudjoe) is working out on a stationary bike when Marsha and Daniel appear. Frustrated, Kai hops off the stationary bike to confront Daniel. Marsha reminds him of their earlier talk. Ignoring the threat, Daniel compliments Kai’s stationary bike. Kai makes a sarcastic comment about getting pulled over by Daniel.

Cabin – Hijacker, Jamie guarantees the passengers’ safety if they do as they are told. Lewis (Jack McMullen) sends a bag around to collect the passengers’ phones and laptops. Sam tries to console a hysterical Amanda (Holly Aird). Anna Robin grows concerned about their calls going unanswered by the crew. Jaden tears a handheld video game from a defiant Freddie’s hands over his father’s pleads. Sneaking over to answer a call, Arthur explains the dire situation inside the cabin when Jamie approaches while Robin alerts the control tower. Robin reminds Anna that they are not permitted to open the cockpit door. Sam discourages Gary (Paul Hickey) and another passenger from intervening. They are involved in a verbal dispute when Lewis orders them to turn over the phones. Sam claims to have left his phone in first class. Jamie bursts in with hostage, Colette Fisher (Kate Phillips).

After Jamie, Stuart, and Lewis take Colette to another compartment, Paul and Eddie (Grant Burgin) prepare to implement their intervention plan. Sam warns against interfering with the hijacking when Jade cuts off their conversation. Outside the cockpit, Stuart announces his plan to utilize Colette to convince the pilot to open the door. Anna informs them that they aren’t permitted to open the door. Stuart orders Colette to explain what happened at the plaza last night. She tells Robin that they are aware of their relationship before professing to love him. Robin professes to love her before approaching the cockpit door. When Anna tries to physically stop him, he bludgeons her with a water bottle. He contacts Abdullah at the control tower, claiming the security threat has been resolved. Abdullah offers to have security in place when the plane lands at Heathrow but Robin says it isn’t necessary. Before the Wi-Fi signal is disabled, Sam alerts Marsha via text.

Neela is surprised to find her flat empty – no Senil or Gala.

Nelson Home – Marsha is getting dressed for an interview when Sam’s text comes through.

Cabin – Deevia alerts the passengers that the plane has been hijacked. She encourages everyone to comply with the terrorists. She says it is six hours until the plane lands at Heathrow.

Nelson Home – Kai assures Marsha and Daniel that Sam wouldn’t lie about the hijacking.

Cabin – Sam sneaks back to his first-class seat when he encounters Stuart. Pulling his phone from a pocket, he pretends to remove it from a concealed compartment. Stuart questions why he would put his life at risk to turn over his phone. Same offers his assistance to the terrorists.

Nelson Home – Daniel asks Marsha about Sam’s career. She tells him that Sam is hired to mediate between corporations during mergers and takeovers.

Cabin – Sam figures there are 200 passengers, most of which will comply with the terrorists. Stuart orders him to take a seat and shut up. After denying any connection with the other passengers, Sam says his goal is to get home to his family.

 

Hijack Review

The pilot episode is far from perfect but interesting nonetheless. While a larger cast is necessary to cover the passengers, flight crew, and cabin crew, it is oversaturated. The majority of the passengers should have been background characters.

The sub-par cinematography isn’t like Apple. Camera shots are too close to get a good view of characters and props.

The constant cuts and transitions from one camera shot to another alter the storytelling. A good screenplay, combined with good cinematography is needed to tell an epic story.

The show doesn’t portray a real-life hijacking. Instead, it portrays too many reckless passengers willing to put everyone’s lives in danger for some unrealistic act. Hostages would be too fearful to offer their assistance to real hijackers.

Too much going on, some of which is irrelevant to the plot. The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more Reel Mockery recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Ask about our onsite advertising to build your online awareness.

Hijack Cast

• Daniel O’Farrell (Max Beesley)
• Sam Nelson (Idris Elba)
• Deevia (Zora Bishop)
• Terry (Jasper Britton)
• Stuart Atterton (Neil Maskell)
• Pilot Robin Allen (Ben Miles)
• Colette Fisher (Kate Phillips)
• Lewis (Jack McMullen)
• Marsha Smith-Nelson (Christine Adams)
• Jamie Constantinou (Aimee Kelly)
• Arthur (Jeremy Ang Jones)
• Jaden (Mohamed Elsandel)
• First Officer Anna Kovacs (Kaisa Hammarlund)
• Alec (Justin Salinger)

Where Was Hijack Filmed?

The filming location is Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in South East England.

Where To Watch Hijack?

Hijack, directed by Jim Field Smith, premiered on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, on Apple TV.