"Hijack" Season 2: A Frustratingly Cumbersome Follow-Up

The much-loved Apple TV thriller, "Hijack", returns for a second season with main character Sam Nelson, played by Idris Elba, thrown into another hostage situation. Season 2 unfolds in Berlin, two years after the captivating Kingdom Airlines hijacking incident that spanned the entirety of the first season. The nature of the new season’s plot is immediately stark and unsettling, showcasing a noticeably altered Sam: a rundown, shifty character hinting of exhaustion.

This season introduces fresh characters including Sam’s ex-wife Marsha, a mysterious woman named Olivia at the British Embassy, and Clara, a new face at the U-Bahn command center where Sam embarks on his next mission. The plot takes a startling twist when Sam hijacks a crowded morning rush-hour U5 train, horrifying passengers and stirring the interest of viewers.

However, the show’s dive into complex themes such as global surveillance and revenge seems to tamper with the intense pacing viewers loved in season one. A myriad of characters outside the train unnecessarily complicate the story, and the underwhelming climax felt like assembling mismatched puzzle pieces.

Despite its fine acting, the second installment of "Hijack" lacks the grip of the thrilling narrative of the first season. The continuous unfolding of implausible incidents involving the same man strains the viewer's ability to suspend disbelief.

The second season of "Hijack" premiered on January 14 on Apple TV, with new episodes going live every Wednesday, promising to deliver mystery in new, although not always successful, ways.