One Abominable Day, Two Incomplete TV Series

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The fourth episode of *One Day in October* features a powerful scene where a French journalist interviews Sabine Taasa, a woman who lost her husband and son in the October 7th Hamas attack. The scene is based on a real press tour Taasa did after the tragedy. During the interview, the journalist asks Taasa, portrayed by Yael Abecassis, if she believes the attack happened within a specific context, and then controversially asks her to explain why she was targeted. Taasa responds with visible exhaustion and asks what he wants to know, then describes the horrific sights she witnessed while being rescued – the bodies of women. When the journalist attempts to broaden the discussion, Taasa firmly states she is there to share her personal experience and ends the interview, refusing to answer questions that focus on justification or context.

Two new streaming series, released on the second anniversary of the October 7th attack, vividly depict the events of that day. One Day in October, a production from Fox Entertainment now on HBO Max, and Red Alert, from Keshet Media and available on Paramount+, both immerse viewers in the terror experienced by those affected. Both shows portray scenes of families sheltering in safe rooms, initially hoping the sirens will pass, but becoming increasingly frightened as gunfire erupts. They also depict individuals caught outside seeking cover while Hamas militants pass by. One Day in October features an episode focusing on Gali and Amit Amar, who spent hours hiding in a portable toilet at the Nova music festival. Meanwhile, Red Alert centers on the Yahalomis, a family who attempt to shelter at home but are ultimately discovered and taken hostage by Hamas.

Both *Red Alert* and *One Day in October* strongly emphasize realism and accuracy, blending fictional scenes with actual footage. *One Day in October* particularly jumps between security camera recordings, cell phone videos, and carefully recreated moments, clearly labeling what is real and what is a reconstruction. While some characters in *Red Alert* use fake names, both shows conclude by showing the actors meeting the people they portrayed. These scenes often include footage of the actual survivors observing the filming process, commenting on costumes or recognizing sets. Each episode of *One Day in October* ends with the survivors looking directly at the camera, a deliberate choice that underscores the series’ overall goal: to remind viewers of the horrific reality of the events. This was a terrible tragedy, they convey – over 1,000 people were killed and hundreds kidnapped – and it happened to real individuals, like Sabine Taasa.

Both *Red Alert* and *One Day in October*, Israeli shows picked up by American streaming services, present stories where every choice seems designed to support a limited point of view. Neither series explains who the attackers are or their motivations, and they avoid providing any historical context or showing the consequences of the October 7th attacks. When *One Day in October* briefly tries to broaden its scope – for example, by showing how the press covered the events or telling stories outside of Israel – the narrative feels disjointed and quickly returns to its central focus. This raises questions about the ‘context’ a journalist mentions and why the character Taasa reacts so strongly when it’s brought up.

As a film buff, I really appreciated that both of these series tried to show the impact of October 7th beyond just the Israeli Jewish perspective. They both included storylines focusing on the pain and loss experienced by Arab families as well. In *Red Alert*, there’s this incredibly harrowing scene where Ayoub’s wife is killed by Hamas militants – it’s brutal and realistic. He’s left desperately trying to protect his baby, fearing the militants will find them, then pleading with the arriving Israeli soldiers to prove he’s not a threat. *One Day in October* has a similar moment, with a Jewish woman hiding with a Bedouin worker who’s initially wrongly suspected of being involved with Hamas. What struck me is how both shows, just like when portraying Jewish victims, really prioritized authenticity and used real evidence. *Red Alert* even includes photos and footage of the real Ayoub – though his name is changed in the series – and heartbreaking images of his family at his wife’s grave in the credits. It adds a really powerful layer of truth to the story.

Both shows prioritize a certain level of realism, but avoid delving into the complexities of Arab citizens of Israel, or differentiating between them, Palestinians in Gaza, and Hamas. They portray all Israelis as victims of the attacks, regardless of background, and repeatedly cast the same Arab-Israeli actor as an Arabic father in distress. While *One Day in October* focuses on an Israeli hostage, it shows no interest in the experiences of Palestinian civilians, depicting only Gazans as his captors. Neither show acknowledges the thousands of Palestinians killed in recent years, Israel’s restrictions on aid to Gaza, or the high number of child amputees living there. When a journalist attempts to raise these points, the interviewee abruptly ends the conversation, stating these issues are beyond the scope of the discussion.

Both *One Day in October* and *Red Alert* powerfully convey the horror of October 7th, leaving no room for doubt about its terribleness. They depict the events with stark and upsetting detail – the smoke, fire, violence, and resulting grief. However, unlike memorial-style documentaries such as *United 93* or *9/11: One Day in America*, these shows primarily focus on the experiences of those who survived the attack, sometimes at the expense of remembering those who were killed or remain missing. This emphasis subtly suggests that survivors are still vulnerable and require ongoing protection, framing overwhelming force as a reasonable response. The shows present Israel solely as the victim of terrorism, dismissing other possible interpretations. The closing line of one episode – “We await their prompt return,” referring to the hostages – creates a sense of shared feeling and unites viewers with the filmmakers in a single perspective on the crisis, a perspective that feels inevitable given the harrowing portrayal of events.

Both *Red Alert* and *One Day in October* are being released in the US at a sensitive time, as public support for Israel’s actions in Gaza is declining. Recent polls show growing concern about Palestinian starvation – with 55% of Americans worried – and only 35% holding a favorable view of the Israeli government. This backdrop subtly influences how we watch these shows. Both series seem to be reacting to an unspoken debate, attempting to appear strong while subtly discouraging viewers from questioning the underlying reasons for the conflict, much like the character Sabine Taasa. The shows encourage us to simply listen to her story and empathize with her pain.

It’s natural to feel sympathy for her loss, but the film focuses intensely on her grief, almost to the exclusion of others. While it briefly shows Gaza in the background, with its tall buildings visible, it doesn’t explore the lives of the people who live there or how things have changed for them recently. Viewers hoping to learn more about the situation in Gaza won’t find those answers in this film.

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2025-10-14 17:55