Social media is discussing the most tragic episode of the "Tom and Jerry" series: what we missed when we were children

The beloved cartoon depicting the cat and mouse rivalry first aired in 1940. Over all these years, millions of children and adults have enjoyed watching Jerry the mouse skillfully evade Tom the cat, who tirelessly hunts him.

The Scottish Sun writes: "More recently, fans of the series have rediscovered a tragic plot twist in one of the episodes of Tom and Jerry. And this moment has been actively discussed on social media for quite some time."

What is it about?

In one of the episodes of the series, Tom, allegedly killed on the ground during a fight with Jerry, finds himself near heaven. However, as he waits for an answer to whether he can enter, a group of cats passes by and boards the Heavenly Express train.

The conductor then inspects the moving bag, from which three kittens appear, and water splashes out.

The meaning of this scene, that the kittens were drowned, has only now been realized by fans of the cartoon.

One Instagram account posted this scene with a comment: "We were too young to realize this."

The story continues: "The golden escalator of heaven lifts Tom's soul into the sky to the golden gates of the train station, where he awaits the Heavenly Express, transporting the souls of cats to heaven."

"Pooh, Muff, and Pooh" - three kittens who suffocated and drowned in a bag of water - pass through the gate to the train.

"The gate allows the kittens through because their deaths were premature."

Reacting to the tragic scene, one of the series' fans said: "I remember this episode. I was a kid, and it flew right over my head. Wow!"

Another wrote: "I don't think it made sense to me as a kid. Now that I see it, it makes me sad."

"It's crazy how interesting perception changes with age and life experience," said a third.

A fourth noted: "I remember watching this episode many times as a child. Obviously, I never understood the connection. It's too sad to think about it."