The storyline sees Elmo faced with an out-of-control trolley heading toward five beloved Sesame Street characters, including Cookie Monster and Grover. The only alternative? Pulling a lever to divert the trolley, but at the cost of hitting Big Bird.

The segment, titled Elmo Makes a Choice, included cheerful songs like “Which Way Do We Go?” and “Sometimes Choices Are Hard.” The episode concluded with Elmo pulling the lever and somberly remarking, “Elmo sorry, Big Bird, but five is more than one.”

Parents quickly took to social media to express confusion and horror. “I just wanted my kid to learn about sharing, not utilitarian ethics!” tweeted one mom.

The Sesame Street team defended the episode as a “bold step in teaching kids about moral philosophy.” Rumors of next week’s Oscar Debates the Ethics of Organ Harvesting episode remain unconfirmed.