The Simpsons - 'Dude, Where's My Ranch?'
While vacationing at a dude ranch, Lisa falls for a cute 13-year-old cowboy; Homer vows to stop beavers who've dammed a river and kept Native Americans from their land.
On Christmas Eve, the Simpsons go caroling in the neighborhood…until an attorney opens his door and demands they cease and desist. He claims the rights to the songs are now copyrighted thanks to the Commercialization of Christmas Act. When Homer returns home, he decides to compose some carols of his own. When Flanders stops by the house, Homer grows annoyed and kicks him out. Inspired, Homer composes a song about his hatred for Flanders, and performs it for his friends at the bar. Musician David Byrne overhears the colorful tune and offers to produce it for Homer. Thanks to Byrne's help, the song quickly climbs the charts. When Marge grows tired of hearing it, she suggests the family take a vacation to escape the ubiquitous tune. Bart picks up a brochure for a dude ranch that has no television or radio reception. Homer embraces the idea, and the family packs their suitcases for the trip.
As the Simpsons drive up to the front gate of the Lazy I Ranch, Lisa expresses concern when she notices a cowboy branding cattle, a concern that solidifies when she encounters a plaque commemorating a battle in which 56 American Indians lost their lives. The ranch's owner, the Rich Texan, welcomes the family and fires several shots into the air. The next day, the Simpsons make their way to a stable area, where they prepare to go horseback riding. But Lisa grows increasingly disgusted with the ranch's treatment of animals and demands she be taken home. Her attention turns to a 13-year-old cowboy, Luke, who dismounts from his horse and stops her from accidentally stepping on a fallen robin's egg. Luke points out a nearby pony named Rainbow and suggests she go for a ride. At first reluctant, Lisa gives in and climbs onto the pony. Meanwhile, Homer, Marge, Bart and their guide, Cookie, enjoy a picnic lunch. They're approached by some Native Americans, who explain that their livelihood came to an abrupt end when some beavers dammed a nearby river, causing water to flood the Indian's valley. Homer vows to stop the beavers, hoping the Indians will, in turn, forgive white men for what they've done. But when Homer attempts to destroy the dam by kicking a piece of wood out of place, the beavers descend, gnaw his ankles and cover him with mud. When Luke and Lisa finish their ride, Lisa thanks Luke for showing her that not everything about the ranch is evil. The pair turn their attention to some floating clouds, where Lisa sees a cloud-like ax chopping off the head of a sheep. Later, Marge grows concerned when she finds out that Lisa's been hanging out with a 13-year-old, especially when she spots the pair playing musical instruments together. But later, Lisa reacts with heartbreak when she overhears Luke talking on the telephone with a girl named Clara.
When Lisa accidentally bumps into Clara in the forest, she deliberately gives the girl the wrong directions on how to get to the dude ranch. Meanwhile, Homer and Bart distract the beavers with some chewy furniture and make their way to the base of the dam. Bart yanks out a central log, causing the dam to collapse and the Indian's valley village to drain of water. The Indians make Homer and Bart honorary members of the tribe. Meanwhile, Lisa and Luke enjoy some square dancing. Luke grows concerned about Clara when she fails to show up. When Lisa realizes Clara is Luke's sister, she reacts with horror. She quickly enlists Bart's help and sets off to find the missing girl. They find Clara stranded on a small island in the river. Bart tricks some angry beavers into gnawing a tree, which falls across the river. But as Clara attempts to cross the tree, she slips. Lisa rescues the girl, and later, Luke thanks her. Lisa confesses that she tricked Clara into walking down the wrong path because she was jealous. Though Luke cannot forgive Lisa, he decides to forget what she did, and suggests they part—but remain friends.
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