Which special episode aired on October 3, 2001 and addressed terrorism?

The special episode that aired on October 3, 2001, and addressed terrorism was “Isaac and Ishmael.”

The West Wing episode was created in response to the September 11 attacks, which had occurred only a few weeks earlier. It aired as a standalone, non-canonical story rather than as part of the series’ normal continuity. The plot begins with a White House lockdown after a staffer is suspected because his name resembles an alias linked to a terrorist.

Much of the episode takes place as Josh Lyman and other staff members speak with high-school students trapped in the White House cafeteria. Their discussions explain terrorism, prejudice, U.S. policy, and the danger of treating an entire group as responsible for the actions of extremists.

The episode also altered the planned schedule: NBC postponed the season-three premiere, “Manchester,” by one week. “Isaac and Ishmael” was produced unusually quickly and received mixed reviews for its overtly educational tone.