Ep 5. The Trolley Problem

In the fifth episode of season 2 of The Good Place, titled "The Trolley Problem," the afterlife hijinks continue as the show explores one of the most classic thought experiments in philosophy- the trolley problem. The episode opens with Michael, the curator of the Good Place, trying to come up with a way to torture the humans that will satisfy his boss, Shawn, who is still mad that the "Bad Place" lost Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason to the "Good Place."

As they brainstorm ideas, Michael brings up the trolley problem, a classic ethical thought experiment where a person has to choose between sacrificing one life or multiple lives. As they debate the different scenarios, Michael decides to give his human subjects the trolley problem to solve hoping that it will keep them occupied while he comes up with a new plan to torment them.

The group is split into two teams- Eleanor and Jason are on one side, and Chidi and Tahani are on the other side. Each team is presented with different scenarios of the trolley problem. The first one involves a runaway trolley on a track that will kill five people. The teams are presented with an option to divert the trolley onto another track, where only one person is standing.

As they debate the merits of each option, tensions run high between the two groups as Eleanor and Jason advocate for sacrificing the one person, while Chidi and Tahani insist that the groups should try to find a way to save all six people. It eventually becomes apparent that the group is more divided than ever before, and every scenario they are presented with only seems to make things worse.

In each scenario of the trolley problem, the group has to make increasingly difficult choices, and the stakes become higher as the scenarios become more personal and emotional. Eleanor is forced to confront her guilt over the life she lived on Earth and comes face to face with her ethics. Chidi is plagued by indecision and his inability to make decisions. Tahani's narcissism and self-centeredness are examined, and Jason's ignorance is put to the test.

As the group becomes more and more entrenched in their positions, they begin to realize that there is no right answer to the trolley problem. They also realize that they are all capable of making moral decisions, even in the face of impossible ethical dilemmas. And it becomes clear that, despite their very different personalities, they have all grown closer together through the experience.

"The Trolley Problem" is a standout episode of The Good Place because it takes one of the most well-known and complex philosophical ideas and manages to make it both hilarious and emotionally poignant. The episode explores each character's strengths and weaknesses while also highlighting the importance of empathy, compassion, and teamwork. It's an excellent showcase of the show's unique blend of humor, heart, and intellect, and it confirms that The Good Place is one of the most creative and inventive comedies on television.