‘Hijack’ Finally Explained Season 2’s Confusing Plot, But It’s Still Not Enough

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In season two of Hijack, Sam (Idris Elba) has been acting differently, and the reasons why have been unclear. Episode 3, “Baggage,” begins to reveal his motivations for being involved in the train hijacking, finally showing us the personal burdens he’s been carrying. It’s a deeply sad revelation that makes you sympathize with him, though the bigger picture of what’s happening remains confusing.

Why Sam Has Gone Off The Rails in ‘Hijack’ Season 2


Image via Apple TV

Episode 3 of the popular Apple TV series finally sheds some light on the shocking events. Viewers were stunned when Sam revealed he’d hijacked the train, demanding Clara locate John Bailey Brown – the man connected to the plane hijacking from Season 1 – and holding the train driver, Otto, hostage. He upped the stakes by telling Clara that lives depended on authorities finding Brown, and even revealed to Otto that he knew about the scheme when he accepted the money, confirming earlier suspicions. It’s now clear that Sam was involved in the plan from the very start.

The second episode ends with a shocking twist: Sam seemingly sends an unsuspecting passenger, Freddie, outside with a bomb. This leaves viewers wondering if Sam would actually let Freddie die to achieve his mysterious goals. Luckily, the third episode reveals this was a deception. Sam didn’t kill Freddie, but intentionally made it appear that he did. The episode then begins to explain the reasons behind this elaborate act and who Sam was trying to mislead, though not all the answers are fully revealed.

Kai, Sam’s son (played by Jude Cudjoe), was first seen in Season 1 and narrowly escaped danger during the plane hijacking. Tragically, a year ago, Kai died in a car accident that Sam believes wasn’t accidental. Sam suspects Brown was responsible, seeing it as revenge for Sam’s role in stopping the hijacking. Now driven by grief and a desire for justice, Sam is determined to avenge his son’s death, even if it means putting others at risk. While a parent’s love for their child is understandable, it’s hard to fathom why Sam would take such drastic measures. This explains, however, why Sam seems so broken and withdrawn.

Sam is not only furious that no one will assist him in confronting this dangerous individual, but he also genuinely fears for his safety and, crucially, for the well-being of his former wife, Marsha (Christine Adams). He believes this drastic course of action might be the only way to protect what’s left of his family, even if it means losing his own freedom – or even his life. This season, the show takes an unexpected turn, portraying Sam as the perpetrator, rather than a victim.

‘Hijack’ Season 2 Still Doesn’t Add Up


Image via Apple TV

Even if we assume all of this is about Kai and saving Marsha, the logic still doesn’t quite make sense. While Sam might be driven by a desire for justice for his son, the Sam we saw in Season 1 wouldn’t risk other people’s lives or treat them so badly to achieve it – unless he felt he had absolutely no other option. Even then, something about his behavior seems strange, as if he’s pretending to help whoever is pulling the strings to make sure the plan succeeds.

It’s now confirmed: Sam was right, and Brown is being held in Berlin by German intelligence. Peter Faber from British intelligence kept this secret because he fears Brown will try to escape. The current plan is to bring Brown back to the U.K. to face charges and go to prison, but Sam isn’t satisfied with that. He wants whoever is controlling Brown – not just Brown himself – brought to the train. What does that even mean?

The story becomes more complex when we return to Marsha at the secluded cabin. We learn she’s there to grieve the anniversary of Kai’s death and wants to be alone, but someone is secretly watching her. This surveillance is connected to Sam’s actions, as he receives instructions – and a picture of his ex-girlfriend at the cabin – to ensure a specific person, Brown, gets on the train. It’s now clear someone is manipulating Sam, but their identity remains a mystery.

I’m completely baffled! It turns out Sam wasn’t kidding about the bomb – there really is one on the train. Now I’m wondering if the whole thing was meant to kill everyone on board, including Marsha, and then make it look like Sam did it? But if that’s true, why would someone be telling Sam to get Brown on the train if Brown is actually the one behind everything – or at least the bombing? The more we learn, the more confusing it all becomes, honestly. It’s just layer upon layer of mystery!

After discovering the bombs under the train, Sam tells Otto that he was threatened – they said Marsha would be killed if he didn’t complete the mission. He likely acted like a dangerous hijacker to scare the passengers into submission and prevent them from resisting. He’s simply waiting for someone named Brown to be delivered, and then things are uncertain. The situation becomes even more puzzling when Freddie, who had already returned to the train after a frightening experience, is found dead. It’s a complete mystery!

‘Hijack’s Big Reveal Doesn’t Make Up For the Confusion


Apple TV+

Viewers were initially relieved to learn Kai’s story, which explained Sam’s strange behavior. However, that relief quickly turned to confusion. This confusion is likely why the season received low ratings on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, a significant drop from Season 1. It seems whoever killed Kai – likely Brown – is now threatening Marsha and manipulating Sam, knowing he’ll do anything to protect her. Or, perhaps someone with a grudge against Brown is using this situation to get revenge on both Brown and Sam – maybe even someone who was wrongly accused in the plane hijacking from Season 1. That person would certainly have a strong motive for targeting both of them.

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Despite the significant changes in Sam’s behavior, his unlikeable personality, and the many plot threads this season, everything doesn’t quite fit together smoothly. Several questions remain unanswered: What was Otto’s role, and who hired him? Who killed Freddie on the train? We also see scenes of the police raiding a drug house and finding a hard drive, which seems connected to the main story, but the link is unclear, making these moments feel separate. Hopefully, everything will make sense later, but currently, the story feels fragmented and disjointed.

It’s now clear why Sam and Marsha have been so upset: Sam knew about the train bombs and was forced to participate in the plot. However, the full story is still unclear. Unlike other shows where clues are presented in an orderly way, the pieces of this mystery are scattered and some are even missing or don’t quite fit. Kai’s death feels like we’re starting to define the boundaries of the puzzle, but the central mystery remains chaotic and needs to be solved before the whole picture becomes clear.

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2026-01-29 03:34