Alsultany reminds us that these strategies, even when well-intentioned, reinforce stereotypes and narrow views of Muslims. They reinscribe a "good Muslim" versus "bad Muslim" dichotomy that simplifies more than it complexifies. "Bad Muslims" are typically terrorists, and "good Muslims" are the ones who support the US government in its battle against terrorism. But all Muslim characters in these dramas are defined primarily in relation to violence and terrorism (whether they are for or against these things). Non-Muslim characters, by contrast, have more diverse or nuanced storylines. For example, Homeland's main protagonist, Carrie Mathison, not only fights terrorism but also battles bipolar disorder. Her struggles with mental illness constitute an important part of her storyline. We rarely encounter Muslim characters struggling with any psychological disorder other than religious fanaticism.

XREF: Connects to broader scholarship on 'model minority' and 'good/bad' dichotomies in media representation across racial and religious groups.

Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Intro…, loc. 532