‘Hijack’ Recap: ‘Not Responding’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Idris Elba as Sam Nelson in Episode Four of ‘Hijack’ – ‘Not Responding’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Hijack’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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If there is one word to properly describe the new Apple TV+ series, Hijack, it would have to be… experimental. Because let’s be honest, there’s no other television show out there that’s made an attempt to do what this show does. Which is to tell a thrilling and gripping seven-hour journey with breaks in between, and the reason others shows have yet to try this feat, is because of the belief that in storytelling, thrills and tension and engagement have to be organic in nature with no breaks, so the viewer is along for one incredible ride. But the creative brain trust behind this series… truly wants to see if it is possible to tell an impactful grand and tense story in pieces, and usher in a new style of storytelling on television and well… it is safe to say the experiment is a success.
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In part because we’ve been captivated by this series from day one, and eager to know what comes next, and we all quickly tuned in first chance we had this week to see what would come out of that cliffhanger from last week, and well… what came next from hitting play… is what proved that this experiment has paid off in spades. Because in a matter of seconds, we were completely and utterly drawn into the tension that was presented to us in ‘Not Responding’. As though there had not been a week between episodes and just like that, found ourselves quite nervous. Because following that gunshot… there was shock aboard the airplane and a resetting of roles, since Stuart did indeed take control; by putting an end to the man that was trying to help Sam. 

Which meant our hero was alive and well, and that this nightmare would persist with him out of the game since he was quickly tied up, and just like that… it was business as usual on the plane and everyone was wondering what was to come next and as it turned out, more troubles and tension awaited everyone aboard. For KA29 was now flying over Romanian Airspace and without the captain speaking to the ground, the Romanian government saw this as a full-on problem. One where the capital might be attacked, so they dispatched fighter jets to intercept the plane and that led to a mad-dash fight for survival. One that required some intricate work from people on the plane and on the ground so that everyone would survive to see another day.

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Archie Panjabi as DCI Zahra Gahfoor in Episode Four of ‘Hijack’ – ‘Not Responding’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

On the ground, that involved working to identify the hijackers and prove they were British Citizens, and that London was the target of any trouble. That way, the jets would be called off and the British government could handle this on their own. But that was no easy task since these villains did a fine job of hiding their identities. Which meant… the authorities needed more, and it just so happened that Sam was able to get them more. For an injured hijacker, the one who took a pair of small scissors to the ribs in the confusion and chaos of last week’s uprising, was badly bleeding and well, dying. Which meant he needed Sam’s full attention and that allowed for Sam to get loose and get his hands on the hijacker’s phone with the wi-fi turned on as he worked to save a life, and he thus was able to place a call to his wife, who in turn… got that voicemail to Daniel. Which saved the lives of everyone on that plane.
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For that did indeed allow for all the hijackers to properly be identified and that allowed for Romanian government to call off their attack. But of course… that’s a victory and happy moment that will be quite short lived. For there are still hours to go before the plane arrives in London and no one is safe. Since clearly Stuart will resort to murder if it means keeping control over the plane, and there appears to be new wrinkles and problems unfolding on the ground. Since Marsha was unable to locate her son, and that likely means the off the wall call she received related to that. Not to mention, this surprise paints Sam in a new light. Because without a second call to the ground from Stuart, how would anyone on the hijackers’ side know who Sam Nelson was and have a directive to go after his son at his home address?

Also, we would be remiss to not point out, that we are now minutes away from discovering just what the hijackers want. Because a list of demands was delivered to a member of government, and that will undoubtedly give focus to this story come next week. But while we wait to learn more about Sam, and those demands… we can revel in the wonder of a groundbreaking episode. One that really did hammer home that when done right, a thrilling story can endure week to week and draw us in and take us on an emotional rollercoaster, and that revelation just reminds us how special this show is and how well this format works. And it will be quite incredible to see how this show ramps up the tension and the storytelling as we soar toward the finale of this revolutionary series. Until next time.

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