Why is there a bullet in the bathroom in “Hijack?”
The debut episode of the Apple TV series "Hijack," starring Idris Elba as Sam Nelson, gripped viewers with an intense and suspense-filled plot revolving around a mid-air hijacking. Among the various intriguing elements introduced in this first episode, one object stood out and perhaps set the trajectory for the entire series: a single bullet found in the lavatory of the Kingdom Airlines A330 flight.
Upon first glance, it's just an everyday object - metallic, unassuming, and silent. But a bullet in an airplane bathroom? That's far from everyday. This discovery changes the entire landscape of the story and hints at the imminent danger.
The bullet, found by Naomi, a young passenger, has a pivotal role. It serves as an initial clue of the danger that lies ahead and sets off a chain of events that eventually lead to the hijack. This small, seemingly inconsequential object is the trigger for a sense of impending doom, effectively raising the tension and suspense on the flight.
However, Naomi, unaware of the weight the bullet carries, presents it to a fellow passenger, Marcus, who in reality is Terry, one of the hijackers. Instead of escalating the matter to the captain as he promises Naomi, Terry consults with Stuart, another hijacker, revealing their underlying sinister plans. This interaction confirms our worst suspicions and exposes Terry's true identity. It's important to note that the bullet discovery inadvertently expedites the hijackers' plans, highlighting the bullet's instrumental role in the narrative.
When Naomi's friend Mona questions a cabin crew member about the bullet, this creates tension among the hijackers, causing them to reveal themselves earlier than possibly intended. The bullet, while a harbinger of chaos, also serves as an early warning signal. However, this warning comes too late, and the hijackers seize control of the aircraft.
Furthermore, the bullet's existence raises many questions about security and how such a deadly object could make its way onto a commercial flight. It hints at a potential network of individuals involved in the hijack and raises suspicions about the involvement of an inside person, like the distraught baggage handler at the Dubai airport.
Looking back, the discovery of the bullet offers the first hint of the suspenseful and threatening events that are about to unfold. It introduces an element of danger, foreshadows the hijack, and subtly underlines the impending jeopardy.
More importantly, it's a critical plot device that diverts our attention towards Sam Nelson's character. Nelson's casual observation of the conversation between Terry and Stuart and his subsequent calmness during the hijack scenario starts to make sense when we learn about his negotiation skills. It's intriguing to see how he uses this situation to his advantage, even as it begins with the single bullet in the airplane bathroom.
As the series continues, viewers can't help but reflect back on this turning point, contemplating how such a small item can drastically alter the course of events. It underscores the importance of paying attention to minute details and the chain reactions they can trigger, a theme that we can expect to be revisited throughout the series. The bullet, in essence, was more than just a piece of ammunition - it was a catalyst, a precursor to chaos, and a marker of the turbulence ahead.
