Why didn’t the fighter jets shoot down the plane in “Hijack?”

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After absorbing the mind-boggling climax of "Hijack", the conundrum of the hovering fighter jets beside the doomed Flight KA29 offers a mystery in itself. Why didn’t they shoot down the plane? Let's peel back the layers of this question.

The Known Evidence:

From the recap of the series' finale, a few concrete points emerge:

1. Two fighter jets returned to fly alongside Flight KA29.

2. They were prepared to shoot down the plane if given the order.

3. Eventually, they stood down.

With this evidence in mind, let’s dive into the depths of speculation, piecing together the possible reasons for this unexpected reprieve.

Speculating on the Knowns:

1. The Ground Threat: Shooting down a commercial airliner is not a decision made lightly. While the plane posed a threat in the air, crashing it over a populated area like South London would undoubtedly result in significant collateral damage on the ground. Authorities might have been weighing the number of passengers on board against potential casualties on the ground.

2. Communication Breakthrough: It's conceivable that authorities managed to establish some form of communication with the plane. With Sam talking to Alice from air traffic control, there was possibly a line of dialogue open that we weren’t fully privy to.

3. Bureaucratic Delays: Red tape and decision-making in high-pressure situations aren't always swift. It could have been a scenario where the call to shoot wasn’t sanctioned in time.

4. Unknown Intelligence: Military and civil aviation authorities often have information sources we're unaware of. They might have had knowledge about Amanda’s situation, the internal rebellion of passengers, or even the bear raid concept that influenced their decision.

A Deeper Dive: Challenging Assumptions:

Let’s question our beliefs and understanding a bit more. As we assess our speculative reasons, certain counter-questions arise:

1. Collateral Damage vs Saving the Many: If the plane crashed in a populated area, the damage could have been catastrophic. But, by letting it continue, were they betting on a positive resolution inside the plane?

2. The Nature of Communication: If the air traffic control was indeed in touch with the plane, why was there no confirmation of this? Were they perhaps worried about leaking sensitive negotiation tactics?

3. Decision Paralysis or Calculated Risk?: While bureaucratic delays are commonplace, in high-stakes scenarios, is it fair to believe that top brass might dawdle? Or were they weighing multiple intelligence inputs, making a calculated risk not to shoot?

4. Hidden Agendas: Could there have been bigger political or corporate maneuvers at play? With the concept of the bear raid, was there a vested interest in not having the plane shot down?

Final Thoughts:

The question of why the fighter jets did not shoot down the plane in "Hijack" delves into the intricacies of decision-making during critical situations. The lives of passengers, potential ground casualties, intelligence, and potential hidden agendas all weave into a complex tapestry of choices and outcomes.

As viewers, our understanding is limited to the on-screen narrative. Yet, by challenging assumptions, speculating on knowns, and diving deeper, we can appreciate the nuances and multifaceted nature of such decisions, whether in fiction or real life.

In the end, "Hijack" does what great TV series should: it leaves us with questions, sparks debates, and fuels our imagination, long after the credits roll.