Season 2 of hijack: Stream or Skip?

Opening shot: The scene opens with Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) outside a Berlin train station, snow swirling around him.

Key points: Sam’s in Berlin to meet Olivia Thatcher (Claire-Hope Ashitey) at the British Embassy. He believes he has uncovered the identity of the person behind the hijacking of Kingdom Airlines Flight KA 29 from two years ago. Hoping to connect with a representative from the German Federal Ministry of Justice, he reminds us that he was a crucial player in stopping that hijacking.

Just as Sam is about to board the U5 train, he notices something odd. He’s a bit sidetracked by a woman, May Tan (Jasmine Bays), who he met at a security conference post-hijacking. Still, he keeps a watchful eye on a man with a large backpack.

Meanwhile, Berlin’s police chief Winter (Dejan Bouchin) and his team break into an apartment, where they find evidence of someone making explosives, detonators, and counterfeit U-Bahn employee ID cards. Just then, a man (Albrecht Schuch) in U-Bahn construction attire enters the tunnel, lugging a big bag as his shift ends.

The train driver, Otto (Christian Nethe), appears anxious as he takes the U5 out and requests “700” from the control center. An operator (Lisa Vicari), working her first night shift, initially misinterprets “700” as a “toilet break,” while Otto actually attempts to contact someone with a tote bag.

Sam instructs police on the train to shoot at the man with the backpack, leading to all three passengers disembarking. He also has a staff member check on Otto, who is unfortunately locked in the bathroom. When the platform attendant informs the control station Otto needs to switch places, they find he is stuck in the driver’s seat as the train pulls away. At that moment, Sam assures Otto everything is fine and directs the worker to manually steer the U5 away.

Which show do you remember? I’m not sure about the future of hijack’s second season. Co-created by Jim Field Smith and George Kaye, it unfolds in real time, resembling the first season, yet it evokes memories of twenty four.

Our view: Directed by Smith, the new season takes an intriguing turn for viewers, particularly those who enjoyed the intense first season. Initially, we questioned whether this would be a repeat of Sam Nelson’s previous challenges—only now on a commuter train instead of an airplane. The first episode cleverly misleads us, as Sam’s suspicion of a young man with a backpack appears crucial.

Yet, by the end, it’s revealed to be a ploy. Sam is pursuing a lead that not only ties back to the airline hijacking but also threatens the well-being of his ex-wife, Marcia (Kristin Adams), who remains quarantined—at least, that’s how she perceives it.

While viewers anticipate a train hijacking, the narrative keeps us off balance. Elba’s portrayal of Sam shows how deeply he has internalized the events of the KA29 hijacking, seeing potential threats everywhere. Even a seemingly trivial connection between Otto and the supposed construction worker hints at deeper trouble. However, the mastermind behind this situation remains shrouded in mystery, and the eventual reveal promises to be quite the twist.

Now, why is this unfolding? Given the brisk pace of the first season, it’s a fair assumption that Smith and his writing team aim to maintain that momentum for season two, which is actually set to be longer than its predecessor.

Featured performance: Idris Elba seems to have fully embraced the role of a seasoned action star, showcasing skills he has honed over time.

Sex and skin: There’s nothing in the first episode.

Parting shot: Sam reveals to Otto just how he managed to take control of the train.

Sleeper Star: Archie Panjabi returns as Zahra Ghafoor from season one, and her presence is something to anticipate.

The most pilot-like line: You can sense impending trouble when a colleague tells a new operator, “Nothing happens in U5.”

Our call: Let’s stream this. Although the first episode of hijack’s second season takes some time to build, once the plot thickens, we find ourselves again drawn into the high-octane story we were hoping for, highlighted by Idris Elba’s strong performance.