Idris Elba returns as Sam Nelson in Season 2 of Hijack, now streaming on Apple TV.Apple TV/Supplied
The first question anyone should ask themselves before settling down for another season of Hijack on Apple TV is, “Why?” After all, the first season of the Idris Elba-led and produced series had a perfectly fine beginning, middle and end. That the show was renewed for a second round was surprising, because how do you plausibly recreate a series about a hijacked plane and the hero who saved the day?
As it turns out, all you need to do is move the high-stakes situation from the skies to the underground tunnels of Berlin and you’re set for eight episodes of pure adrenalin.
When Hijack returns, it’s been two years since Sam Nelson (Elba) saved the passengers on flight KA29. Almost immediately he finds himself in another hijack situation, this time on a crowded subway train in Germany. There’s a personal twist that eventually explains the entire premise, but to reveal anything more would spoil the viewing experience.
Christine Adams returns as Marsha in Season 2 of Hijack, which takes places on a subway train in Germany.Apple TV/Supplied
What you do need to know is that while Season 1 was an excellent showcase for Elba as an expert corporate negotiator (he earned an Emmy nod for the turn), Season 2 lacks the surprise elements and restrained narrative of the first. Whereas the initial premise took place over eight hours (an average of one hour per episode), there is less structure here as the subway barrels on.
The passengers are also less compelling than they were in the first season. That is partially because the show devotes less time to getting to know them, but also because there are more characters to keep track of in this new setting. It’s one thing when passengers are restricted to their seats on a flight, and another when they can move about on a subway.
There are some that stand out, including the driver, Otto (Christian Nathe) and other original characters played by Clare-Hope Ashitey, Lisa Vicari, Toby Jones, Karima McAdams and Christiane Paul. Unfortunately, the setup is such that each episode relies on a massive twist or high-stakes incident to push the show forward, and that leaves little time to get to know these supporting characters or to feel invested in them. The result is stereotypical, one-note characters whose actions often feel predictable.
Hijack will see a new episode drop each week till the finale on March 4.Apple TV/Supplied
It’s the same for the returning characters, played by Christine Adams, Max Beesley and Archie Panjabi. They are relegated to few scenes of importance, and feel more like bookends than worthwhile additions. The exception is Adams’s Marsha character, whose stand-alone adventures in the woods are related to the main storyline, but often feel like a separate series.
Even Sam has lost his spark in Season 2. Before, the character came with intrigue and a slight hero complex, which made him compelling to watch. Now he seems to exist within a limited range of emotions as the story relies on others to fill in the missing components through exposition. It’s a disservice to Elba’s range, though he does what he can with the material.
Where the second season succeeds is in its world-building, particularly when it comes to crafting the Berlin vibe. There are plenty of scenes that take place in German and feel authentic to the location, not to mention snowy outdoor shots that add a touch of romanticism to the final episode. But while the subtitles add realism, the show itself continues to ask you to suspend disbelief in order for certain plot turns to work. Strong writing is often sacrificed in order to keep up with the quick pacing a thriller like this requires.
Should the series retain your attention on a weekly basis until the finale drops on March 4, expect another resolute ending. While there has been no official word from Apple TV on a third season, there is no need for one. This second season may satiate Elba fans, but in the end it’s another example of too much of a good thing. Some stories are better told in the limited format, and after riding with this story for a full second season, Hijack definitely falls into that category.