Why didn’t Edgar respond to Amanda’s texts faster in “Hijack?”
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In the high-tension, cinematic world of 'Hijack', where every second counts, and a single text message can decide the fate of hundreds of souls aboard Flight KA29, it's natural to wonder why Edgar would let multiple unanswered texts from Amanda linger. By using a framework from an unrelated field, namely the queuing theory commonly applied in computer science and operations research, we can shed light on Edgar's motives and strategy.
Queuing Theory: A Primer
At its essence, queuing theory studies the waiting times, lengths, and other properties of queues or "lines". Its most common application is in optimizing service mechanisms, like determining the number of cashiers needed at a supermarket during peak hours. But how does this relate to the suspenseful, life-and-death stakes of 'Hijack'?
Understanding Edgar's Text Queue
When we look closely, Edgar's situation, though vastly different in scope, mimics a queue system. Amanda's texts are the 'jobs' waiting to be serviced (answered), and Edgar is the service provider deciding when and how to respond. With every penny drop in the Kingdom Airlines shares, Edgar makes millions, so the longer he lets Amanda's 'requests' wait in the queue, the more he stands to gain.
Length of Service: The Monetary Gain vs. Risk Assessment
In a supermarket scenario, the length of service depends on how long it takes to scan each item, pack groceries, and process payments. In 'Hijack', the length of Edgar's service is determined by his assessment of how long he can let Amanda wait while maximizing profit, balanced against the risk of her potentially diverting from the plan.
Arrival Rate: External Pressures and Contingencies
In queuing theory, the arrival rate is the speed at which tasks enter the system. For Edgar, the external pressures, like authorities closing in or passengers' potential actions, determine this rate. The faster the complications arise, the more 'texts' or requests Amanda sends, increasing her anxiety and urgency.
Applying Little's Law
One of the foundational principles of queuing theory is Little's Law, which connects the number of jobs in the system, the arrival rate of tasks, and the average waiting time. It might seem absurd to apply such a mathematical principle to a high-stakes drama, but bear with me.
L = λW
Where:
L is the average number of items in the system (in our case, unanswered texts).
λ (lambda) is the average number of items arriving per unit time.
W is the average waiting time in the system for an item.
For Edgar, every unanswered text (L) increases Amanda's desperation. The more complications arise (λ), the more pressing the texts become. And the average waiting time (W) is the crucial factor here. It's a play of psychological warfare; he wants to stretch W just enough to maximize his gain, but not so much that Amanda becomes entirely unpredictable.
The Cost of Poor Queue Management
Just like in a service industry where poor queue management can lead to lost customers and reduced profit, Edgar's mismanagement had dire consequences. His greed, symbolized by the ever-increasing 'W', led to a conflict with John, ultimately causing Edgar's downfall.
While it might seem unconventional to apply the principles of queuing theory to a gripping series like 'Hijack', it offers a unique lens to understand characters' motivations, especially when decisions seem irrational on the surface. Edgar's delay in responding to Amanda was not just a mere plot device but a complex interplay of risk, profit, and psychological manipulation, mirroring the intricate dynamics of waiting in a queue. If there's one takeaway from Edgar's tragic arc, it's the profound cost of misjudging the balance between patience and urgency, a lesson applicable in both dramatic plane hijackings and the everyday queues of life.
