Episode 5 of Hijack, titled “Outage,” just dropped the biggest twist yet—and it’s explosive, literally. The Apple TV+ thriller starring Idris Elba confirmed what we suspected: Jess isn’t just a passenger, she’s the insider controlling the bombs. But is she the mastermind, or another pawn?
Table of Contents
Episode 5 Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Episode Title | Outage |
| Release Date | February 11, 2026 |
| Streaming | Apple TV+ |
| Runtime | ~45 minutes |
| Season | 2 |
| Episode Number | 5 of 8 |
Is Jess Actually Controlling the Hijack?
Yes and no. Episode 5 confirms Jess (Karima McAdams) controls the bomb timer system—but she’s following orders, not giving them. She uses a radio device requiring code inputs every 15 minutes to prevent eight bombs beneath the train from exploding.

When passengers force the train to stop, Jess is exposed. She successfully disarms three carriages, but fails on the rear carriage. The bomb detonates, creating real destruction—not the fake explosion from Episode 2.
This proves Jess lacks full control. Someone maintains override authority, suggesting a larger criminal organization connected to Season 1’s Kingdom Airlines hijacking.
Sam’s Truth Finally Surfaces
Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) reveals why he hijacked the train: his mother Marsha’s life is threatened. He’s being coerced into trading passengers for John Bailey-Brown. Sam isn’t the villain—he’s another victim, paralleling Jess as puppets controlled by an unseen mastermind.
The Explosive Ending Explained
The final minutes deliver heart-pounding tension. After Jess fails entering the final code, Sam frantically evacuates passengers from the rear carriage seconds before it explodes. The blast is real, the damage catastrophic, and Sam barely escapes the fireball.
This ending confirms the hijackers mean business and raises critical questions: Who’s really in charge? Is it Faber, the suspicious MI5 officer? Or someone from the Cheapside organization?
For more thriller series analysis and entertainment updates, check out our latest TV coverage.
What’s Next for Hijack Season 2?
With three episodes remaining, expect escalating danger as Sam and passengers work together against their common enemy. Marsha’s situation in Scotland grows dire, while investigators close in on the truth.
New episodes stream Wednesdays on Apple TV+. Don’t miss the explosive second half of this season—catch up on our streaming guide for more recommendations.
FAQs
Q: Is Jess the main villain in Hijack Season 2?
A: No, Jess controls the bombs but follows orders from an unknown mastermind, making her another manipulated pawn like Sam.
Q: Did the train actually explode in Episode 5?
A: Yes, unlike the fake explosion in Episode 2, the rear carriage genuinely detonated after Jess failed to input the final code in time.





