WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for the Hijack finale.
Summary
The final episode of the thrilling series Hijack by Apple unveils a shocking truth - the hijacking was not motivated by terrorism but rather by a greed for profit. This revelation uncovers an intricate plan devised by the Cheapside Firm, which aimed to manipulate the stock market for a massive financial gain.
Through the diverse range of characters in Hijack, we witness the extensive reach and power of the Cheapside Firm. This organized crime group has secret affiliations that facilitate illegal trade, and they orchestrate a grand scheme to bet against the stock price of Kingdom Airlines.
Sam's proficient negotiation tactics ultimately triumph in persuading Stuart, highlighting his adeptness at outmaneuvering the hijackers and ensuring both his own safety and that of the passengers on Kingdom Flight 29.
The gripping conclusion of Apple's thrilling series, Hijack, skillfully ties together various key plotlines and unveils the ultimate fate of Sam and the Cheapside Firm hijackers. The true intentions behind the hijacking are exposed as an intricate scheme rooted in greed rather than terrorism. Stuart, Jamie, and the hijackers face the consequences they anticipated, while Sam finally harnesses his negotiation skills to bring about a gratifying yet tumultuous resolution.
The Scheme To Manipulate The Stock Market In Hijack Explained
: The conclusion of Hijack suggests that there will not be a second season, as the series neatly tied up loose ends. While a few characters could benefit from further explanation in a potential follow-up season, the finale gives the impression of a satisfying resolution to the thrilling action-packed storyline. Episode 6 of Hijack introduced a major twist involving a covert hijacker named Amanda, who played a crucial role in determining whether Kingdom Flight 29 would reach a safe destination or meet a tragic fate.The hijacking, it turns out, was all part of a rather straightforward scheme to manipulate the stock market. The goal was for the notorious Cheapside Firm and its associates to rake in millions of dollars. Exploiting the leverage gained from the hijacking, the Cheapside Firm managed to secure the release of two of their crucial members from prison. Simultaneously, they orchestrated a drastic drop in the share price of Kingdom Airlines, ensuring a profitable outcome from the stock's freefall. Edgar, John, and other key players, namely Alec and Devlin, strategically bet against Kingdom Airlines' stock price, known as "shorting," just before the flight departed. All of this was a calculated move to maximize their gains from the ensuing negative publicity.
The vast array of characters in the gripping drama, Hijack, illustrates the extensive reach and danger posed by the Cheapside Firm. As uncovered in episode 5, this highly formidable organized crime syndicate controls covert channels for illicit trade entering and leaving the United Kingdom. The motive behind the hijacking remains undisclosed, leaving us to ponder why the Cheapside Firm orchestrated such a scheme, apart from amassing an astounding fortune within a limited timeframe. However, the final installment of Hijack unveils that the sole motivation for the hijacking was unabashed avarice and the manipulation of the stock market to attain immense financial gains.
How Sam’s Negotiating Strategy Worked On Stuart
Sam (Idris Elba) constantly worked to gain Stuart's trust in Hijack while maneuvering to ensure the safety of himself and everyone on Kingdom Flight 29. Despite Sam's rebellious actions and interference with the hijackers' plans, Stuart never inflicted serious harm on him. Instead, Stuart's skills as a professional negotiator eventually convinced Sam to join forces, exemplified when Stuart trusted Sam with a loaded gun in the climactic finale, mirroring Sam's earlier act of trust in episode 2.
Amanda’s Direct Line To Edgar & The Cheapside Firm Explained
Why John Had Edgar Killed In The Hijack Finale
Amanda's direct line to Edgar in the Hijack finale is not due to any connection with the Cheapside Firm. Instead, it is revealed that Amanda embarked on her own mission to protect her daughter. Despite the cold-blooded murder of Captain Robin, Amanda is, in her own right, a victim who is following Edgar's orders through text messages to ensure her daughter's safety. The Hijack finale discloses that Amanda, a former aviation consultant and member of the United States Navy, is being exploited by Edgar to maximize the profits of the stock market scheme. She even demonstrated a willingness to crash the plane if necessary to save her daughter's life.
John and Edgar were long-time partners in crime, both highly esteemed and influential members of the renowned Cheapside Firm. However, John's realization that Edgar had established a personal operation with Amanda within their larger enterprise led him to make a ruthless decision. Observing Edgar's insatiable greed and recognizing that he had manipulated Amanda into potentially endangering their plans by causing a plane crash for the sake of profit, John interpreted this as a deep betrayal against the Cheapside Firm. Without hesitation, he swiftly eliminated Edgar, disregarding any sentimental attachment he may have once had.
Did Amanda Walk Free After Landing The Plane In Hijack?
Amanda appeared to effortlessly leave Kingdom Flight 29 after successfully landing the plane in a dramatic and destructive manner. Through an agreement with the UK Home Minister, Sam ensured that Amanda would not face criminal charges because she, like many others, was a victim of Edgar and the Cheapside Firm's malicious plan. Accompanied by a flight attendant named Deevia, Amanda tearfully called her daughter, informing her that she was on her way home. Given Amanda's cooperation and involvement in the hijacking scheme, which involved the tragic death of an innocent pilot, it is remarkable that she escaped without consequence.
One could argue that Amanda should have been held accountable for her actions on Kingdom Flight 29 and should not have walked away without facing punishment for endangering the lives of everyone on board. The reasons behind her actions should not overshadow the fact that she had blood on her hands, particularly due to her role in the death of the mostly innocent Captain Robin. Despite this, Sam somehow managed to overlook these grave offenses and embraced Amanda in the final moments of the hijack, seemingly justifying her actions as a desperate mother protecting her child. However, it cannot be denied that her actions put numerous families and lives, including Sam's own, at great risk.
The Real Meaning of The Hijack Finale’s Ending
The final confrontation inside the airplane between Stuart and Sam highlights Stuart's desperate state, which likely led him to become a hijacker. After losing his brother Lewis, another hijacker, and also losing his mother (although he was unaware of it at the time), Stuart was at his breaking point and decided to involve Sam in his downfall. Once again, Sam is able to outsmart Stuart by using a simple manipulation with his cell phone, relying on his wife Marsha's love to call him at the right moment. This distraction gives Sam enough time to hold Stuart off until the authorities arrive to apprehend him.
The dynamic between Stuart and Sam creates much of the central tension in Hijack, but ultimately, Stuart proves to be no match for Sam's strategic tactics. Stuart's erratic and unpredictable behavior exposes his lack of qualification for the job, which Sam easily exploits. Unfortunately, any chance for redemption for Stuart is taken away by the sudden introduction of Amanda in the finale. Stuart could have been portrayed as a victim manipulated by the Cheapside Firm, but the show chooses a different direction. However, it does end with a clever callback to Stuart's previous humiliation of Sam, when he made him smile at gunpoint. This explains why Sam tells Stuart to "say cheese" in the final scene of the Hijack finale.