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The Good Place
S2.E5
All episodes
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IMDbPro

The Trolley Problem

  • Episode aired Oct 19, 2017
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 22m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
Ted Danson, Kristen Bell, and William Jackson Harper in The Good Place (2016)
The Good Place: The Trolley Problem
Play trailer1:48
1 Video
89 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
Chidi and Eleanor tackle a famous ethical dilemma, leading to a conflict with Michael; Tahani confides in Janet.Chidi and Eleanor tackle a famous ethical dilemma, leading to a conflict with Michael; Tahani confides in Janet.Chidi and Eleanor tackle a famous ethical dilemma, leading to a conflict with Michael; Tahani confides in Janet.
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
2.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Dean Holland
  • Writers
    • Michael Schur
    • Josh Siegal
    • Dylan Morgan
  • Stars
    • Kristen Bell
    • William Jackson Harper
    • Jameela Jamil
Top credits
  • Director
    • Dean Holland
  • Writers
    • Michael Schur
    • Josh Siegal
    • Dylan Morgan
  • Stars
    • Kristen Bell
    • William Jackson Harper
    • Jameela Jamil
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    The Good Place: The Trolley Problem
    Trailer 1:48
    The Good Place: The Trolley Problem

    Photos89

    D'Arcy Carden in The Good Place (2016)
    Kristen Bell in The Good Place (2016)
    Ted Danson in The Good Place (2016)
    D'Arcy Carden in The Good Place (2016)
    Jameela Jamil in The Good Place (2016)
    William Jackson Harper in The Good Place (2016)
    Ted Danson and Kristen Bell in The Good Place (2016)
    Manny Jacinto and Jameela Jamil in The Good Place (2016)
    Ted Danson, Kristen Bell, and William Jackson Harper in The Good Place (2016)
    Ted Danson and D'Arcy Carden in The Good Place (2016)
    Ted Danson, Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Manny Jacinto, Jameela Jamil, and D'Arcy Carden in The Good Place (2016)
    Ted Danson and Kristen Bell in The Good Place (2016)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kristen Bell
    Kristen Bell
    • Eleanor Shellstropas Eleanor Shellstrop
    William Jackson Harper
    William Jackson Harper
    • Chidi Anagonyeas Chidi Anagonye
    Jameela Jamil
    Jameela Jamil
    • Tahani Al-Jamilas Tahani Al-Jamil
    D'Arcy Carden
    D'Arcy Carden
    • Janetas Janet
    Manny Jacinto
    Manny Jacinto
    • Jason Mendozaas Jason Mendoza
    Ted Danson
    Ted Danson
    • Michaelas Michael
    Dominic Burgess
    Dominic Burgess
    • Henryas Henry
    Emma Vivien Garcia
    Emma Vivien Garcia
    • Birdieas Birdie
    Conor Murphy
    Conor Murphy
    • Kyleas Kyle
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Dean Holland
    • Writers
      • Michael Schur
      • Josh Siegal
      • Dylan Morgan
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The trolley passes a cinema displaying the titles STRANGERS UNDER A TRAIN and BEND IT LIKE BENTHAM, parodying Strangers on a Train (1951) and Bend It Like Beckham (2002), while alluding to philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), founder of utilitarianism (a doctrine that was mentioned earlier in the episode).
    • Goofs
      When Michael is forced by Chidi to write "People = Good" on the chalkboard, it is clear the previous times it was written were not done by him (or specifically Ted Danson, the actor who portrays him) because the handwriting is dramatically different.
    • Quotes

      Chidi Anagonye: I just want to have a little chat about your progress. In the last homework assignment, I asked you to examine the ethics of "Les Misérables", in which a man steals a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. Would you please read your first paragraph?

      Michael: "Everyone in this story sucks and belongs in the Bad Place. The thief is bad, the officer chasing him is bad, all the whiny prostitutes are bad, plus they're all French, so they're going to the Bad Place automatically."

      Chidi Anagonye: Do you see how you're already off-topic?

      Michael: Chidi, I've been around a long time - like, all of it. But I know for a fact that if you steal a loaf of bread, it's a negative 17 points - 20 if it's a baguette because that makes you more French.

    • Connections
      References Strangers on a Train (1951)

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Back on track
    After last week's bit-of-a-clunker episode, the series gets back on track (almost literally) with this story dealing with the classic trolley dilemma - do you switch to another track and run over one person in order to avoid staying on your present course and running down five people instead? Chidi tries to teach the problem to a stubborn Michael, only to have him bring the problem to life complete with flying limbs and blood spatter. Like a trolley track, there are some clever twists and turns along the way, along with some great lines.

    Meanwhile, Tahani is trying to understand why she is not willing to tell anyone else that she is sleeping with Jason. She persuades Janet to be her therapist so that she can talk to somebody about it. This leads to some bizarre reactions from Janet which must be seen to be believed. This also nicely sets up the cliffhanger for the next episode.

    As usual, fast paced and lots of fun. Watch for a bit near the end where Ted Danson proves that it's not always what you say so much as how you say it. All in all, a great effort.
    helpful•11
    5
    • brimfin
    • Jan 30, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 19, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Fremulon
      • 3 Arts Entertainment
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      22 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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