Episode 4 of Hijack opens on a haunting note, casting a dark shadow over the already tense atmosphere. The fatal shot fired by Stuart in the closing moments of the previous episode has claimed a life, leaving the passengers trembling in abject fear. Each heartbeat is a reminder that any one of them could be the next target of the ruthless bullets.
The hijacking scenario has undergone a seismic shift. Stuart demands Arthur to initiate a countdown, a stark ultimatum for everyone to return to their seats by its conclusion. Failure to comply will result in another innocent life being extinguished.
Lizzy, the little girl who had fled in panic, nestles safely in her mother's arms, just as the countdown begins. Terry hastily throws restraints towards Sam, ordering him to put them on. The realization of the deceased passenger's identity stuns the hijackers - it's the young girl who sat beside the Miller family, her sole intention being to reunite Lizzy with Kate. Lewis, Jaden, and the rest of the hijackers are thrown into a state of disarray; this wasn't part of their plan.
Stuart's sanity seems to be unraveling as he savagely lashes out at the communication headset, enraged by the Romanian ATC's demands for identification.
Meanwhile, in a separate location, the British Foreign Secretary, Louise, receives a briefing from Zahra in a tense meeting. She issues a strict directive: no calls are to be made from that room until they have a clear understanding of the hijackers' motives.
Lewis confronts Stuart over the shooting, attempting to justify the deviation from their original plan. He asserts that despite the unexpected turn of events, they still have the upper hand. His words carry a dark undertone as he mentions, "This is for Edgar and John." The tension mounts further as Lewis himself is suddenly struck by a bullet, collapsing to the ground with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
Marsha's phone rang, and the caller, presumably affiliated with the hijackers, pretended to be a deliveryman inquiring about Sam's address. Meanwhile, Sam, tied up and struggling, instructed Deevia to do her utmost to assist Lewis as he bandaged his wounds. She urgently appealed for any doctors on board to lend a hand, but David, Liz's father and Kate's husband, a doctor himself, was quickly silenced by his wife, who was reluctant to let him intervene.
Deevia struggled to hold the gauze in place, and Lewis realized that Sam's freedom was crucial to his survival. Sam obliged, and the bleeding temporarily ceased. In private, Lewis and Sam discussed Sam's cunning attempts to glean information from him. Sam insisted that his only desire was to return home safely, and by assisting him, he had ensured that any future threats would be directed away from him.
Louise reluctantly took a call from the Roman Interior Minister, who demanded immediate action regarding Flight 29. The Minister threatened military intervention, and Alice updated Louise about two unidentified aircraft flying in close proximity to the plane. Louise hesitated to contact the British Prime Minister, fearing for the passengers' safety even if it meant risking her own job. The passengers, now visibly unnerved, could see the aircraft hovering nearby. Stuart tried to reassure Jaime, who appeared agitated, explaining that "the further west we fly, the safer we will be."
Amidst the growing panic, Colette, a brave cabin crew member, made a daring decision. She risked exposure by revealing her face to the pilots and boldly opened the blinds, revealing her position to Jaden, who brandished a gun as he manhandled her. The tense situation on board Flight 29 was escalating, and every move could be crucial in determining the fate of the passengers and crew.
Lewis' bleeding escalated alarmingly, painting a dire picture. Sam valiantly attempted to soothe his fears, but Lewis' condition worsened as he began spitting blood, staining the air with crimson. Sam's panicked cry for assistance echoed throughout the cabin, and David's gaze was fixed with anxious concern.
Robin's mind raced as he realized the dire consequences of the plane's radio silence. Bucharest would undoubtedly perceive them as a threat, and the risk of being shot down hovered ominously. Stuart concurred and urgently tasked Robin with clearing the airwaves, but their efforts were futile; the damaged comms refused to cooperate.
Terry scrambled across the plane, determined to retrieve painkillers for the stricken Lewis. Meanwhile, Sam frantically rummaged through Lewis' belongings and stumbled upon his phone, still connected to the plane's wifi. Without hesitation, he dialed Lewis' mother, allowing the dying man to bid her a tender farewell.
Marsha received a chilling voicemail from Sam, his voice trembling as he recited Lewis' mother's contact number and revealed their dire situation. The PM had abdicated responsibility, leaving Louise to bear the weighty burden of decision-making. Marsha swiftly alerted Daniel to the voicemail and forwarded it to him.
In a moment of clarity, David rose to his feet and revealed his true identity as a doctor. The tension mounted as the Romanian jets closed in, their orders clear: shoot down the unresponsive plane. Daniel's intervention was crucial; he presented incontrovertible evidence that the hijackers were British and destined for London. Louise relayed this information, and the Romanian authorities aborted the countdown to destruction.
On the plane, Sam, with David's guidance, bravely inserted an empty syringe into Lewis' chest, saving his life in the nick of time. Alice and the others exhaled in relief as the menacing jets disappeared from sight.
Colette, with courage bordering on heroism, stood up and announced to the tense cabin that the danger had passed. She urged them to open their blinds, despite Jaden's threatening display with his gun. As the episode drew to a close, the Home Secretary was presented with a chilling list of demands from the hijackers, leaving their fate hanging in the balance.
