REVIEW: ‘Hijack’ Episode 7 — “Brace Brace Brace”

All bets were off with the end of Hijack’s penultimate episode when a mysterious older woman kills the pilot of flight KA29 and takes control of the plane. With the passengers in control after lodging a fight against the hijackers, the victory is a small one as more develops. Stuart (Neil Maskell), and the other hijackers, have no idea who the woman is, and she’s not responding. That’s how Hijack Episode 7, “Brace Brace Brace,” begins, and the pace doesn’t let up in the least as Sam (Idris Elba) tries to keep everything in focus.

In this episode, every story element falls into place without becoming predictable. In fact, the twists that were saved for this last hour of the mini-series pay off not only with dramatic timing that builds tension but in a way that leaves audiences questioning how everything will end. The pieces of the narrative come together while also rearranging other elements too. Will the plane crash into London? Will Sam’s son Kai (Jude Cudjoe) survive the cleaners? And ultimately, is Captain Robin Allen’s (Ben Miles) death an irreparable step toward catastrophe?

Hijack Episode 7 is harrowing, taking time to show the humanity of each passenger as they anticipate what may be their final moments. They scramble to use whatever phone they can find to call their loved ones, they try to storm the cockpit, and ultimately, the passengers just try to understand what’s happening. Hijack’s ability to build tension is unique in that it builds anticipation without sacrificing the fast-paced developments. That continues in this episode and calls the audience to see that balance while also highlighting the chaos of trying to survive. Until the last minute, Hijack Episode 7 keeps you on the edge of your seat. The twisting narrative manages to add new and different forces that complicate the characters’ futures without feeling forced.

As a series finale, Hijack Episode 7 best embodies the fast, yet suspended pace of flight KA29 descending with the intention to crash into London, all while ensuring the cast we’ve been with for the series gets the chance to be dynamic and whole. While there are still some plot holes left unsealed, that’s not enough to detract from this episode or the series as a whole. Ultimately, this episode is everything you need to close out a mini-series. It captures the importance of every choice up until the final moments and ensures that it doesn’t negate nor undercut any bombshell event up until that point.

Hijack Episode 7 is a stellar end to an intense series led by Idris Elba’s kinetic portrayal of Sam and his dedication to returning home. Sam is a character that has captured the ability to think about the larger group while still centering his own needs and wants. Selfishness without throwing everyone out into the cold is a hard duality to keep in check as an actor and, from a writing perspective, as a character.

AppleTV+ is quickly becoming the go-to for series. Whether it’s a comedy like Platonic, an epic family drama like Pachinko, or sci-fi greatness like Silo, there is a series that can capture any genre you’re looking for and do it well. Hijack adds a high-stakes thriller to that list.

Hijack Episode 7 and the rest of the series are streaming now exclusively on AppleTV+.