Episode 2 of Hijack Season 2 was about proving who had control, so, Episode 3 looks defined to ask a far more dangerous question- what happens when no one truly does? With the series finally rediscovering its pulse in “Control,” the upcoming episode appears set to deepen the crisis, fracture alliances, and expose the limits of Sam Nelson’s carefully constructed moral high ground.
Nothing about the fallout from Episode 2’s chilling finale suggests a clean reset. Cameras going dark, panic rippling through the station, and Sam’s ominous final words have changed the rules of engagement. Episode 3 will almost certainly pick up in the immediate aftermath, with uncertainty weaponized on both sides of the standoff.
The Aftershock of a Bluff or Something Worse
The biggest question hanging over Episode 3 is deceptively simple: did anything actually happen? The implication of an explosion at the end of Episode 2 was enough to rattle everyone involved, but Hijack thrives on ambiguity. Whether the briefcase contained a real device, a sophisticated fake, or something in between may not be revealed right away and that delay itself becomes the story.
For the authorities, the blackout of station cameras represents a catastrophic loss of situational awareness. Chief of Police Ada Winter will likely be forced to operate blind, relying on partial information, unreliable eyewitness accounts, and the instincts of her team. The lack of clarity may push her toward more aggressive tactics, especially if political pressure begins mounting behind the scenes.
Sam, on the other hand, may have crossed a psychological Rubicon. Even if the threat was an illusion, he has now allowed the idea of mass harm to take root. Episode 3 is likely to explore the consequences of that choice, not just externally, but internally. Sam’s belief that he can manipulate fear without becoming consumed by it may finally be tested.
Sam Nelson Under the Microscope
One of the most compelling directions Episode 3 could take is turning the pressure inward. So far, Sam has been reactive; responding to obstacles, delays, and challenges as they arise. The next episode may force him into a proactive position, where every move risks undermining the moral distinction he’s clinging to.
There’s also the unresolved issue of Olivia’s identification of Sam. With his identity now confirmed, his past, motives, and vulnerabilities are no longer theoretical. Episode 3 could see authorities digging into Sam’s history, looking for leverage; family, professional missteps, or emotional fault lines that could be exploited during negotiations.
At the same time, Sam’s authority inside Wagon 2600 is far from secure. Freddie’s involvement has already proven that passengers can no longer be treated as passive elements. Suspicion, fear, and resentment may begin spreading through the train, turning Sam’s greatest asset, control, into his greatest liability.
The Weak Link Tightens
If Episode 2 positioned Otto as the most visibly unstable piece on the board, Episode 3 may finally capitalize on that tension. Otto has been compliant out of fear rather than conviction, and fear has a breaking point.
Internet theories have already speculated that Otto could either betray Sam or attempt to take decisive action on his own, believing it’s the only way out. Whether that manifests as a secret communication with authorities or a catastrophic misstep, Otto’s lack of emotional discipline makes him dangerous in a crisis increasingly defined by precision.
Alternatively, Episode 3 could surprise viewers by giving Otto a moment of unexpected agency, not as a villain, but as someone desperate to reclaim control of his own fate.
The Authorities Close Ranks
On the institutional side, Episode 3 may widen the lens beyond the control room. With a terror incident unfolding in real time, political figures, transit executives, and international agencies are likely to weigh in. The expansion could complicate Winter’s decision-making, introducing competing agendas that threaten to override her measured approach.
Peter Faber’s role also seems primed for expansion, his intelligence background suggests he may begin questioning the official strategy, especially if he suspects Sam is operating under constraints that others are missing. Episode 3 could reveal Faber as a quiet disruptor, someone willing to challenge Winter’s plan if he believes it will prevent escalation.
Meanwhile, Clara’s position grows more precarious. Being new made her sympathetic in Episode 2; in Episode 3, it may make her expendable. A single miscommunication or misjudgment could have devastating consequences, and Hijack has never shied away from showing how small errors ripple outward.
The Ghost of John Bailey-Brown
Looming over everything is the unresolved specter of John Bailey-Brown. Episode 3 is likely to move the search for him forward, possibly revealing that Sam’s assumptions are either dangerously outdated or uncomfortably accurate.
If Bailey-Brown is indeed in Germany, Episode 3 could introduce parallel scenes of law enforcement closing in or discovering that he’s already one step ahead. If he isn’t, the implications are even more unsettling. Sam may be holding hundreds of lives hostage for a man who can’t be found, raising the stakes from negotiation to obsession.
Some theories suggest that Bailey-Brown could resurface indirectly, through intermediaries, digital traces, or past connections, reinforcing the idea that the true enemy may not be physically present at all.
A Crisis That Refuses to Stay Contained
Perhaps the most intriguing possibility for Episode 3 is expansion. Episode 2 kept the crisis tightly focused on the train and the station. Episode 3 may deliberately let it spill outward into the media, public consciousness, and political discourse.
Leaks, misinformation, and public panic could become secondary antagonists, forcing authorities to manage not just Sam, but the narrative itself. In that environment, truth becomes malleable, and perception becomes power.
What Episode 3 Promises
If Episode 2 was about demonstrating competence, Episode 3 promises to explore consequence. Every bluff, delay, and half-truth has created momentum, and momentum doesn’t stop just because everyone wants it to.
The episode is unlikely to offer resolution. Instead, it will probably sharpen the moral and strategic dilemmas at the heart of Hijack Season 2, pushing Sam closer to a line he insists he won’t cross and daring the authorities to decide how much risk they’re willing to tolerate.
Anyways, control, once lost, is rarely regained without cost and Episode 3 looks ready to make everyone pay.
Read more: Hijack Crisis Management
