Isaac and Ishmael
| Industry | Television |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Television series |
Isaac and Ishmael is a special episode of the American political drama The West Wing, typically associated with its third season. It premiered on October 3, 2001, motivated by the events of the September 11 attacks that had occurred less than a month prior.
Synopsis
Prior to the episode, the cast directly addresses viewers, clarifying that this installment is a "play" outside the usual storyline and shares hotline numbers for donations to those affected by September 11.
The White House is placed under lockdown ("crash") after staff member Rakim Ali’s name surfaces in connection with a suspected terrorist. A group of high school students visiting the White House are confined to the cafeteria, where Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman and others engage them in a conversation about the roots of Islamist terrorism. Concurrently, Chief of Staff Leo McGarry conducts an interrogation of Ali. The lockdown concludes when the suspect is located in Germany, and McGarry offers an apology to Ali.
Production
The initial plan was for the third season premiere, part one of "Manchester," to air on September 26, 2001; this episode had been completed before the September 11 attacks. Showrunner Aaron Sorkin rapidly wrote "Isaac and Ishmael" within a week following the attacks, persuading NBC to broadcast a rerun on September 26, this new episode on October 3, and then "Manchester" on October 10. The New York Times described NBC’s choice as "a $10 million act of largess."
"Isaac and Ishmael" represents the series’ quickest production turnaround. Unlike typical episodes featuring four storylines and brisk dialogue, it contains only two plotlines with slower-paced conversations. Most scenes are limited to two rooms, avoiding the standard "walk and talk" sequences. The only prior storyline referenced is the attempted assassination of Charles Young in "What Kind of Day Has It Been."
Themes
While The West Wing never explicitly mentions the September 11 attacks, discussions around "Islamic terrorism" act as an indirect reference.
In the cafeteria scene, multiple characters take on instructional roles, providing detailed explanations about terrorism and America’s response. These viewpoints often mirror actual policies: Lyman compares terrorists to the Ku Klux Klan, while Toby Ziegler equates the Taliban with Nazis, reflecting rhetoric used by the George W. Bush administration to justify the invasion of Afghanistan. C. J. Cregg supports measures such as phone tapping and increased intelligence funding, implicitly endorsing the Patriot Act.
Leo McGarry is depicted unusually as agitated and suspicious, a departure from his normally composed nature. This portrayal aims to illustrate how easily someone can be driven "right over the line of racism."
Reception
"Isaac and Ishmael" drew the largest audience in The West Wing history and was the highest-rated program during its week of broadcast. Critical response was mixed; many reviewers described its tone as "didactic" or "preachy." Tom Shales of The Washington Post criticized its emphasis on Islamophobia, suggesting it unfairly cast America in a culpable light amid a national tragedy.
In a later analysis, The A.V. Club's Steve Heisler unfavorably likened the episode to a Lifetime movie but recognized its significance at a time when thoughtful conversation was scarce following September 11.