‘Hijack’s Jaw-Dropping Episode 6 Twist, Explained

Every episode of Apple TV+‘s suspenseful, high-octane thriller Hijack sends my heart rate sky-high. But the final seconds of Episode 6, “Comply Slowly,” made me gasp so forcefully I nearly choked on my own saliva. As the end credits rolled in eerie silence (a jarring departure from the series’ comically upbeat closing jams) I stared at my TV screen in bewilderment and screamed “WHAT!?” at the top of my lungs.

In Season 1’s eventful penultimate episode, which premiered on Wednesday, July 26, a series of major developments lead to the show’s most mind-blowing scene yet. Sam’s (Idris Elba) son Kai (Jude Cudjoe) is trapped in his apartment hiding from two trained killers. Stuart (Neil Maskell) is still in shock from his brother Lewis’ (Jack McMullen) death. And though Edgar Janssen (Simon McBurney) and John Bailey-Brown (Ian Burfield) were released from prison as demanded, when Daniel (Max Beesley) starts tailing them against their wishes, tensions rise onboard Flight KA29.

If you’re still reeling from Hijack‘s unexpected, jaw-dropping Episode 6 twist, you’ve come to the right place. Decider’s “Comply Slowly” recap breaks down the adrenaline-pumping final moments and looks ahead at possible finale explanations.

Warning: Hijack Episode 6 spoilers ahead.

Hijack Episode 6 Ending Explained: What The Heck Just Happened?!

After Edgar texts Stuart, ordering him to kill a passenger and send photographic evidence to the authorities, the passengers nearly lose another of their own. But Sam’s quick thinking saves them again with seconds to spare. Rather than claiming another life, Stuart takes a photo of the passenger he already killed in Episode 3, per Sam’s suggestion. And though the photo served its purpose, with real, unpredictable threats coming straight from the men coordinating the hijacking, the passengers devise a plan to fight for their lives if needed. Good thing, because with around an hour and a half left in the flight, Edgar sends a second request for casualty, and all hell breaks loose.

Sam volunteers to die in an attempt to buy time and save the other passengers, but when a flight attendant talks Stuart out of killing Sam, the lead hijacker frantically hunts for another victim. After warning the plane that the next person to make a sound will get a bullet, the tense final minutes show Stuart pointing his gun at passengers, Sam tackling him for the weapon, a flight attendant getting grazed by a stray bullet, the pilot (Ben Miles) contemplating a mad dash to the cockpit, a passenger putting a bag around Terry’s (Jasper Britton) head, and more absolute chaos. Amidst the panic and fighting, however, a quiet passenger hears her phone vibrate, looks down to read a text, casually locks herself in the bathroom with phone in hand, ties her hair back, and randomly pulls A GUN out of a bag.

How the heck did this lady get a gun? Why has she waited this long to use it? And who’s she planning on shooting? We assume — or at least heavily hope — the hijackers! But after loading the weapon, leaving the restroom, and looking around the plane, she walks straight ahead — holding the firearm out in front of her, ready to shoot. As Sam, the hijackers, and the passengers look on in horror and confusion, the woman walks past the pilot — shooting him square in his head — and locks herself alone in the cockpit before the end credits roll. AHHH!!!!

Who Shot The Pilot In Hijack Episode 6?

The passenger turned gun-wielding wildcard in Hijack Episode 6 is named Amanda, per IMDb, and she’s played by actor Holly Aird. Like a majority of passengers, Amanda has appeared in numerous Hijack episodes, but she’s definitely kept a low profile — so low that I had to look her name up for this article! Once we learn more about her role it will be interesting to revisit earlier episodes through a different lens and keep an eye on her in key scenes, like that one in the pilot when Sam comforts her shortly after the hijack begins and tells her that her only job is to get through it. Apparently, that’s not her only job! Hijack threw us an early hint and it soared right over our heads!

Who Is Amanda? Was She Part of the Original Hijacker Group All Along?

Though we’ll have to wait until Hijack‘s finale (Episode 7, “Brace Brace Brace”) to learn exactly what Amanda’s deal is, why she killed the pilot, and if she’s been one of the hijackers from the start, up until now we’ve been under the impression that only five people aboard the plane were running the operation: Stuart (Neil Maskell), Lewis (Jack McMullen), Jamie (Aimée Kelly), Jaden (Mohamed Elsandel), and Terry (Jasper Britton).

Those were the passengers flagged in the on-the-ground investigation, so I’m hesitant to assume Amanda is working with them — especially since everyone (Stuart included) looked so deeply perplexed and frightened when they saw her take control of the cockpit. But that’s not to say she hasn’t been in on the plan from the start. The fact that her phone vibrated before she sprung into action made it seem like she received a call to action via text, and who’s been sending those? Edgar Janssen and John Bailey-Brown!

What’s Up With Alec, The Guy Who Brought The Guns On The Plane?

In the back of my mind, I was always expecting another passenger to be linked to the hijack, but it certainly wasn’t Amanda. It was Alec! You know, the dude Sam vouched for in the security line whose carry-on bag mysteriously contained the hijacker guns? We have yet to learn how or why that guy — played by actor Justin Salinger — is connected to the hijack, so add that to the growing list of burning questions we need answered in Hijack‘s finale.

Hijack is currently streaming on Apple TV+.