Ep 9. Simpson Christmas Stories

In the season 17 episode 9 of The Simpsons titled "Simpson Christmas Stories," the show presents three different Christmas tales.

The first story is a parody of "The Nutcracker" ballet, where Lisa gets a magical nutcracker that comes to life and brings her to a magical world. In this world, Lisa, the nutcracker, and a cast of other characters have to fight off the evil Rat King, who is trying to steal Christmas and turn it into Ratmas. The story is filled with beautiful music and animation, as well as some fun pop culture references.

The second story involves Bart's prank gone awry, which results in him being stuck in a hole in the backyard with his dog, Santa's Little Helper. While they wait for someone to dig them out, Santa's Little Helper tells Bart the story of the first Christmas, with a canine twist. The story features dogs as the main characters, and follows Mary (a poodle), Joseph (a bulldog), and the Three Wise Dogs (a greyhound, a chihuahua, and a bloodhound) on their journey to Bethlehem. The story has a lot of heart and humor, and the animation is done in a cute and charming style.

The third and final story is a bit darker than the others, as it deals with the idea of a world without Christmas. Homer and Marge tell their kids about a time when they were struggling financially and couldn't afford to celebrate the holiday. However, in this alternate reality, Christmas never existed at all, and the world is a dark and dreary place. The story is a commentary on the importance of Christmas and how it brings people together, and ends on a poignant note.

Overall, "Simpson Christmas Stories" is a fun and festive episode of The Simpsons that offers a unique twist on the classic holiday tales. It's a great addition to any holiday watchlist and is sure to put viewers in the Christmas spirit.