CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother isn't afraid to get serious when the situation calls for it. Last year, during Season 6, the show had an extended arc about the normally adorable Marshall Ericson (Jason Segel) dealing with his father's death. Even outlandish playboy Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) has had his share of pathos when dealing with his troubled past and father-related abandonment issues.

Monday night's episode, Season 7, Episode 12, "Symphony of Illumination," took serious one step further. It revolved around Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders) discovering that she's unable to bear children. The episode was structured as though Robin was telling the story to her future kids — Adoption? we all thought to ourselves — only to reveal that she was talking to the imaginary children she'll never have.

Gut-wrenching? Absolutely. Robin has always been adamant about not wanting kids, but this episode made it clear that her feelings were more mixed than even she'd thought. Despite a finale voice-over from Ted (Josh Radnor) assuring us that Robin eventually lived her dreams — travelling the world, rocking her career, and continuing to be loved by her friends  — we were left in tears.

But were they good tears? Some fans took to the internet to voice their displeasure last night, calling the episode everything from cheap to infuriating. Some fans want the show to focus on the funny, while others thought it was too cruel to put Robin through the wringer.

So, what do you think: Was this episode a touching take on a serious issue, or a big misstep for a show that's usually about zany antics and heartwarming resolutions?

Rebecca Martin is an editor at Wetpaint. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaMartin47. 

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