Why did Amanda shoot the pilot in Hijack?
Table of Contents
As fans of the riveting Apple TV+ series 'Hijack' know, the Season 1 finale left us with an explosive twist that had everyone talking: Amanda, the quiet passenger with a shocking secret. In a heart-stopping turn of events, Amanda, played by Holly Aird, pulled a gun from her bag, shot the pilot, and took control of the cockpit, leading the hijacking in a terrifying new direction. But what compelled Amanda to engage in such a drastic and horrifying act? Let's delve into the nuanced world of 'Hijack' and examine the forces that may have led Amanda to commit such an unthinkable act.
Amanda: An Unassuming Passenger with a Deadly Secret
In the preceding episodes, Amanda presented herself as a passive bystander in the hijacking, indistinguishable from the other terrified passengers. Yet, the finale exposed a different side to her. After shooting the pilot and taking control of the plane, Amanda's character shifted from that of an innocent passenger to an integral part of the hijacking plot.
Peeling Back the Layers
Let's dive into the potential reasons that could have driven Amanda to such an extreme action. Our journey starts by asking: Why would a seemingly ordinary passenger suddenly hijack a plane?
Personal Vendetta or A Pawn in the Game?
The first obvious inclination is to assume Amanda harbored a personal vendetta against the pilot or the airline, compelling her to resort to such drastic measures. Yet, there doesn't seem to be evidence supporting this theory throughout the series. So, we need to dig deeper and challenge this initial assumption.
As we pivot our attention away from personal vendetta, we are led down a more convoluted path. A prevailing theory is that Amanda was compelled to act under the pressure of an external threat. This idea is strongly supported by the evidence introduced in the finale.
Remember the single, ominous text message Amanda received just before she seized control of the cockpit? The instruction - "NOW" - suggests that Amanda was not acting on her volition but following orders from an unknown entity. But who could have enough sway over Amanda to make her resort to such desperate measures?
A Life-or-Death Bargain
As we explore further, a horrifying revelation emerges. Amanda, like fellow passenger Alec, was acting under duress. The orchestrators of the hijacking were holding her family hostage, forcing her into this unthinkable situation. Here, we are challenged to consider the heartbreaking choices that a person might make when their loved ones' lives hang in the balance. Amanda, as it seems, was left with no choice but to comply.
But why shoot the pilot? The fact that the pilot was shot immediately after she read the text, combined with her subsequent actions, points towards a calculated plan. Killing the pilot immediately creates a state of emergency. It forces the authorities into a tight corner, making them more likely to acquiesce to the hijackers' demands for fear of losing more lives.
Moreover, with Amanda in control of the cockpit, the hijackers gain direct control of the plane's course, transforming the aircraft into a ticking time bomb, aimed straight at South London. Thus, the terror increases, the stakes are raised, and the urgency to negotiate escalates.
The whole act of taking control of the cockpit, hence, was not a random outburst of violence. It was a well-calculated move designed to amplify the hijackers' bargaining power.
A Glimpse of Hope
As the series progressed, we see Amanda's internal struggle, her desperation as she watches her plan unravel, and her frantic checks for messages, waiting for that final instruction. The series leaves us on a somewhat hopeful note for Amanda, as the passengers, led by Sam, attempt to reach out to her humanity, pleading with her to reconsider her actions for her daughter Elodie's sake.
As we deconstruct the complexities behind Amanda's actions, we are left with a sobering reflection of the lengths to which people can be pushed when their loved ones are at stake. The unraveling of Amanda's character in 'Hijack' serves as a chilling reminder that, in the face of grave threats, even the most unassuming individuals can become pawns in a deadly game of power and manipulation.
In the realm of 'Hijack', nothing is as simple as it seems. The finale, though shocking, is a testament to this intricate web of circumstances, motives, and decisions that define this gripping narrative. And as we anxiously anticipate the next season, the question lingers: What will become of Amanda, this unexpected antagonist thrown into a whirlwind of chaos and despair? Only time will tell.
