Critic’s Rating: 3 / 5.0
3
Was Hijack always this dull? Truly, was it always this banal? I don’t remember Season 1 having these qualities.
Halfway through the season, we’re still stuck with a flat arc and even flatter events.
Hijack Season 2 Episode 4, “Switch,” is the perfect example of why, despite a great premise, this season feels underbaked.
(Kevin Baker/Apple TV+)
It lacks the stakes one would expect from a story of this caliber, instead opting for the pedestrian.
That said, I noticed a nice detail that makes it stand out from the season of other shows on other streaming platforms, which might explain why Apple TV keeps winning with these shows.
A Crisis in the Middle of Another Crisis
We always expect these twists, and for this episode, it’s revealed that there is a sick baby among the passengers.
(Kevin Baker/Apple TV+)
His dad reveals that Baby Benji is asthmatic and he needs medical attention as soon as possible.
This is one instance of where the show falters because it doesn’t feel as time-sensitive as the script wants us to believe.
While I don’t quite understand the workings of a baby with asthma, Hijack should have made an effort to make us feel like Benji’s condition was the most important thing. Sure, he was crying, but babies are known for that!
Maybe they could have had him show signs of shortness of breath to make the situation as realistic as possible. Like many viewers, I don’t like seeing babies suffer, but for the integrity of the story, it’s unavoidable.
The whole Benji arc feels like a wasted opportunity to truly kick this story into a higher gear.
(Kevin Baker/Apple TV+)
I loved what they did in Hijack Season 1 during the medical emergency. Lewis’ tension pneumothorax not only made the stakes feel real, but it also elevated the story as everyone tried to keep him breathing until the plane landed.
It’s disappointing because we know they’ve done it before and can do it again. Instead, most of it plays out slowly and almost predictably.
Smoking Out the Mole
While watching this episode, I kept thinking “they’re confirming the obvious.”
It makes some headway into confirming some lingering suspicions, including the presence of a mole on the train, the British government’s position, and Marsha’s safety.
Unfortunately, most of what it does is what we already knew and suspected, only because the show had led us in that direction early.
(Courtesy of Apple TV)
However, the mole twist is a welcome surprise, as I was convinced the guy with the injured arm was the perpetrator. I mean, how else would he have gotten injured?
I’ve said in my previous Hijack Season 2 reviews that I don’t trust most of the passengers on this train. There is something about them all that just makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand.
My prime suspects were the two women, Jess and Mei Tan. It turns out the latter is just annoying while the former is the real deal.
There was something about Jess’ calm demeanor — almost defiant — during the hijacking and in the moments that followed.
How Sam smokes her out is a masterclass in details, and I’ve never loved a show more for actually doing the work.
Netflix has ruined the viewing experience by spoon-feeding viewers everything. You can be doing a million other things with a Netflix show playing, and you would never miss a plot point or pivotal scene.
(Kevin Baker/Apple TV+)
The platform is under fire for forcing creatives to water down their work to cater to the divided attention viewers show when watching Netflix shows. They created the beast and continue to feed it.
In Hijack, some of the most powerful moments occur without a single word.
Sam connects the dots of the murder, realizing that the murderer exited the cabin, entered the control room, and killed the passenger before exiting.
The woman’s torn jacket exposes her since the fabric is left on the door. That could have happened if and only if she entered the control room.
Meanwhile, the handover of Baby Benji gives Sam the chance to get the encrypted flash drive to the authorities without spooking the bad guys.
A lot of what Sam does in this episode elevates what could have been a snoozefest, even though the show is still plagued by scattered focus.
(Kevin Baker/Apple TV+)
The Remote Arcs
To create that tight, claustrophobic feeling that should accompany a show like this one, Hijack should have cut loose the investigations and B-plots in Germany and the UK.
The only point of contact should have been the control center, which relays everything. Instead, we’re left chasing different characters in various countries. The UK becomes a secondary setting despite serving no purpose.
I always love Zahra Gahfoor’s humor and bluntness, but her appearance in this episode serves no purpose. Even Daniel and Marsha have just been there — pointless and hogging screen time.
The scripts for this season should have undergone another round of editing.
(Kevin Baker/Apple TV+)
Gut Check
This episode frustrates and thrills me in equal measure. It’s not the pinnacle of storytelling, but the layered storylines, especially on the train, make for a great watch. It avoids the obvious with the mole and delivers a nice surprise.
“Switch” confirms what we’ve known all along: Hijack works best inside the train. It might not be as great as the plan,e but that’s where all the magic is.
Stray Observations
- This has been bugging me, but when did Berlin become London 2.0? Almost everyone here is speaking with the perfect British accent. For a season set in Germany, it doesn’t feel like it.
- I think this season feels tired because Nelson looks tired af! Benji’s mother was on point with that. It’s affecting the show’s general vibe.
(Courtesy of Apple TV)
- I didn’t realize how slowly everything has played out. We’re in the middle of the season, yet it feels like the story has just started.
- That torn jacket thing was a stroke of genius that went over my head. I had to rewind that scene several times to understand what Sam and the conductor were seeing. Yes! Make me work for it!
Over to you, Hijack fanatics. What are your feelings at this stage of the story? Are you ready for what’s on the horizon, or can’t wait for everything to end?
Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.
Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you.
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