by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
“Control” Raises the Stakes Underground
Episode two of Hijack, titled “Control,” transforms the Berlin subway hijacking into a psychological siege. With the train immobilized and authorities scrambling, Sam Nelson tightens his grip, revealing both his endgame and his willingness to escalate without warning.
Sam Nelson Claims Control of the Train
The episode opens with Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) contacting Clara at the train control center. Calm and deliberate, he informs her that he has hijacked the train. Clara alerts her supervisor, who orders her to keep Sam talking while he assesses the situation.
Sam is direct about his demands. He is holding the train and its passengers hostage until police locate John Bailey-Brown, another Englishman currently in Germany.
The supervisor immediately halts all rail traffic and clears the U5 line. He leaves Clara behind to analyze system maps and locate the missing train before stepping out to brief arriving police units.
Maintaining the Illusion of Calm
Onboard, Sam orders Otto, the conductor, to address the passengers and keep them calm. Once order is restored, Sam instructs Otto to move the train, only to learn it cannot proceed. The emergency brake has been pulled.
Sam sends Otto into the passenger cars to reset the brake, warning him not to reveal anything about the hijacking. Otto complies, but passengers notice a fresh cut on his forehead that is still bleeding. Suspicion grows.
To neutralize it, Sam exits the control cabin and casually hands Otto cleaning wipes, reinforcing the illusion that everything is under control while silently reasserting dominance.
Olivia Begins to Connect the Dots
Elsewhere, Olivia tells a colleague that Sam missed their scheduled meeting. The colleague suggests he was likely delayed by ongoing problems within the train system. The remark immediately captures Olivia’s attention.
At the control center, unanswered radio calls go out for Otto. Eventually, Otto and Sam return to the cab, lock the door, and restart the train, prompting relief among some passengers.
Police Establish Contact
Police commander Aba Winter establishes direct communication with Sam. Sam refuses to identify himself and reiterates his demand. The location of John Bailey-Brown in exchange for the safe release of the passengers and the train.
As negotiations stall, Clara and her supervisor discover that the hijacked train has been diverted from the U5 line onto the U8 track.
An intelligence consultant advises Winter to block the train’s progress. Acting quickly, Winter orders another train placed ahead on the line. Otto spots the obstacle and brings the train to a halt once more, announcing to increasingly irritated passengers that another train has broken down.
A Hostage Changes the Game
Sam and Otto disembark and move through the tunnel to the station, monitoring developments via security screens. While they are away, an angry passenger confronts the locked control room, demanding answers.
Sam and Otto seize the man upon their return and take him hostage. Sam removes the man’s belt, restrains him, and forces him to carry a briefcase, strongly implying it contains a bomb.
Sam contacts Winter again, accusing police of lying about efforts to move the train. He sends the hostage down the tunnel toward the station with a clear ultimatum. Move the train, or the man will be killed.
Sam Is Identified
Olivia arrives at the control center and quickly pieces together the situation. She informs the intelligence coordinator that the hijacker is Sam Nelson.
At the station, the hostage encounters the same station manager who earlier recognized Otto. Winter authorizes special forces to intervene and neutralize the hijacker. However, Sam spots the tactical team advancing on the security monitors. With the element of surprise lost, Winter aborts the operation. The team retreats, arresting the station manager but leaving the hostage alone with the briefcase.
The Final Escalation
Attempting to regain authority, Winter addresses Sam directly, using his real name.
The moment is catastrophic.
Realizing his anonymity is gone, Sam escalates immediately. He demands the train be moved at once or he will detonate the bomb. He initiates a thirty-second countdown.
When the countdown ends, every screen monitoring the station goes black.
Final Thoughts
“Control” cements Season 2’s darker direction. Sam Nelson is no longer negotiating from a defensive position. He is orchestrating the crisis with precision, anticipation, and ruthless clarity.
By stripping away anonymity and forcing Sam’s hand, the episode reframes the central conflict. This is no longer about whether Sam can manage a hijacking.
It is about how far he is willing to go now that he owns it.
