"Think 24 but on a plane, and throw in some Luther," is exactly how the Apple pitch meeting for Hijack went, I'm sure. Unlike Jack Bauer, though, Idris Elba's Sam Nelson isn't a trained legal enforcement agent of any kind. Instead, he's a business negotiator who decides that his boardroom skills make him the perfect candidate to take control of the onboard hijacking. (They also apparently give him the power to suspect violence is afoot when he grows suspicious of a toiletry kit not given to the rest of the folks in business class — the nerve of this fictitious airline.)
Taking place over seven hour-long episodes (as per the seven-hour flight between Dubai and London), Hijack manages to forge together a thriller that requires the utmost suspension of disbelief, and somehow nails the landing, despite some incredibly bumpy turbulence along the way.
Hijack unfolds patiently and relatively organically. The plan of the hijackers is accelerated when an errant bullet is found in the washroom by a student, who brings it to the attention of another passenger and eventually the crew. Slowly but surely, some passengers are revealed to be a part of the plan, as others make some attempts to stop them. The series becomes contained when the two pilots are taken out of the cockpit and into the passenger area, after it's shown that flying a plane really is as simple as roasting a chicken: just set it and forget it.
Ironically, the part of Hijack that makes the least amount of sense is the very thing that makes the series soar. Sam, the everyday, reluctant hero, really has no business trying to settle this matter. Beyond the ambiguous mention of his profession, we aren't given any reason to believe that Sam would bring it upon himself to disarm the situation. Add in the fact that the motivations of the hijackers are weak and the various moments of tension feel increasingly preposterous, and nothing about this series should work — except for the fact that Sam is played by one of the most magnetic screen presences working today.
Elba (who both stars and produces the limited series) takes every inch of nonsense onto his shoulders and carries it as if it's weightless prestige television. Through Elba's commanding performance, we forget that Sam is incredibly unsuited for this mission he's placed upon himself (and the fact that the hijackers are so easily spun by him). Of course this businessman can infiltrate a highly-orchestrated effort when he's that badass and charming! It's one of the rare moments where conflating an actor and their character is effective, and even desired.
For as much guff as I've given the plot and circumstances written into Hijack, the dips and swoops of the series develop persuasively. Each episode is given its own roller coaster ride while fitting into a larger theme park. Audiences are naturally taken through high suspense and adrenaline kicks, while also having room to breathe and reflect. Moreover, there's a moment in the final episode that gives the entire series some depth as we see those working in air traffic control continue to go about their day, illustrating the unfortunate everyday nature of hijackings and violent standoffs.
When 24 premiered in 2001, the real-time format was fresh and exciting. After 200-plus episodes, the concept wore thin and subsequent attempts to revive the idea never quite hit the same. Hijack doesn't revitalize or reinvent that realtime wheel, but it does earn its wings thanks to the lead performance. Elba's career has developed far beyond any new role being considered a star-making one, but Hijack sure is a great reminder of just how adept and compelling he can be.
(Apple TV+)Taking place over seven hour-long episodes (as per the seven-hour flight between Dubai and London), Hijack manages to forge together a thriller that requires the utmost suspension of disbelief, and somehow nails the landing, despite some incredibly bumpy turbulence along the way.
Hijack unfolds patiently and relatively organically. The plan of the hijackers is accelerated when an errant bullet is found in the washroom by a student, who brings it to the attention of another passenger and eventually the crew. Slowly but surely, some passengers are revealed to be a part of the plan, as others make some attempts to stop them. The series becomes contained when the two pilots are taken out of the cockpit and into the passenger area, after it's shown that flying a plane really is as simple as roasting a chicken: just set it and forget it.
Ironically, the part of Hijack that makes the least amount of sense is the very thing that makes the series soar. Sam, the everyday, reluctant hero, really has no business trying to settle this matter. Beyond the ambiguous mention of his profession, we aren't given any reason to believe that Sam would bring it upon himself to disarm the situation. Add in the fact that the motivations of the hijackers are weak and the various moments of tension feel increasingly preposterous, and nothing about this series should work — except for the fact that Sam is played by one of the most magnetic screen presences working today.
Elba (who both stars and produces the limited series) takes every inch of nonsense onto his shoulders and carries it as if it's weightless prestige television. Through Elba's commanding performance, we forget that Sam is incredibly unsuited for this mission he's placed upon himself (and the fact that the hijackers are so easily spun by him). Of course this businessman can infiltrate a highly-orchestrated effort when he's that badass and charming! It's one of the rare moments where conflating an actor and their character is effective, and even desired.
For as much guff as I've given the plot and circumstances written into Hijack, the dips and swoops of the series develop persuasively. Each episode is given its own roller coaster ride while fitting into a larger theme park. Audiences are naturally taken through high suspense and adrenaline kicks, while also having room to breathe and reflect. Moreover, there's a moment in the final episode that gives the entire series some depth as we see those working in air traffic control continue to go about their day, illustrating the unfortunate everyday nature of hijackings and violent standoffs.
When 24 premiered in 2001, the real-time format was fresh and exciting. After 200-plus episodes, the concept wore thin and subsequent attempts to revive the idea never quite hit the same. Hijack doesn't revitalize or reinvent that realtime wheel, but it does earn its wings thanks to the lead performance. Elba's career has developed far beyond any new role being considered a star-making one, but Hijack sure is a great reminder of just how adept and compelling he can be.
