Shibboleth
- Episode aired Nov 22, 2000
- TV-14
- 41m
Dozens of Chinese stowaways are discovered in a container ship in California; Toby looks to pick a fight over school prayer with a recess appointment; Thanksgiving at the White House sees C.... Read allDozens of Chinese stowaways are discovered in a container ship in California; Toby looks to pick a fight over school prayer with a recess appointment; Thanksgiving at the White House sees C.J. in charge of turkeys and Charlie looking for the ultimate carving knife.Dozens of Chinese stowaways are discovered in a container ship in California; Toby looks to pick a fight over school prayer with a recess appointment; Thanksgiving at the White House sees C.J. in charge of turkeys and Charlie looking for the ultimate carving knife.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaShibboleth is used in modern parlance to mean any language usage that signifies a social or regional origin. The use originates from a story in the biblical book of Judges, in which one clan rooted out spies from another clan by asking them to say the Hebrew word, which both clans pronounced differently. The actual meaning of the Hebrew word is "an ear of grain."
- GoofsToby places Jamestown in the 16th century, when in fact it was founded in the 17th (1607).
- Quotes
Charlie Young: Okay, Mr. President. I say this with all possible respect, but each of these knives cuts, you know, meat. Why is it important?
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: 'Cause it is something we pass on. It's something with a history, so we can say, "My father gave this to me, and his father gave it to him, and now I'm giving it to you."
Charlie Young: Well, OK, sir. But if that's true then why don't you already have one?
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: I do have one.
Charlie Young: Why do you need a new one?
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: I'm giving mine away.
Charlie Young: To who?
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: Whom.
Charlie Young: To whom?
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: Funny you should ask.
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: [Reaches into his desk and takes out a case]
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: Charlie, my father gave this to me, and his father gave it to him, and now I'm giving it to you.
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: [Hands Charlie the box]
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: Take a look.
Charlie Young: [Opens the box]
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: The fully tapered bolster allows for sharpening the entire edge of the blade.
Charlie Young: It says "PR" I thought I knew them all but I don't recognize the manufacturer.
President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: This was made for my family by a Boston silversmith named Paul Revere. I'm proud of you, Charlie.
Charlie Young: [overwhelmed] Thank you, sir.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 53rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2001)
- SoundtracksWe Gather Together
Performed by the Cedarmont Kids
Whether it's the delightful story of CJ trying to select which turkey to pardon, or the very satisfying gift that the President gives at a crucial juncture of the show, this one is filled with wave after wave of good feelings and happy occasions.
Leo's confrontation with his own sister shows him for what he always was: the voice of integrity that kept the whole administration running smoothly, never too fast, never flying off the handle. It was a classic "Leo" episode.
But the best part of it all was the reason for the title. The president has to deal with the touchy situation of refugees from China who claim religious persecution. President Bartlett has to balance his own desire to do the right thing personally with the intricate economic and political ramifications of making the wrong decision, and he comes through majestically.
The short interview with the spokesman for the refugees is one of the best moments in the entire series.
I have watched this entire series on "Netflix," but I have only thought one episode was valuable enough to purchase as my own, and it is this one. I really don't know why the other reviewer would make the crude and insulting comments that he made about this show, but they are undeserved.
I will watch this episode every year at least once near Thanksgiving, just like some of the Christmas shows I never miss in season. Give this episode a fair shake, and see if I am right about this. If you have loved the great writing and insight of this show, you will love this one too.
- championbc-99-5005
- Nov 20, 2014
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro