A Western might not be the first idea that comes to mind with American Dad!, but it oddly feels like a bit of a natural fit for the series. All of these characters fit into the various Western stereotypes surprisingly well, with this stylistic finale thankfully rising to the occasion and helping the season end on a very positive note. It also helps that the episode doesn’t waste any time trying to establish this premise or set up why this deviation is going on. A simple text scrawl tells us that it’s 1870 in the Arizona Desert and that’s all that’s necessary.

Appropriately enough, “West to Mexico” starts American Dad!’s finale with a rather bloody, action-packed opening scene that sees Bullock and his gang of outlaws execute an innocent family. Just when it looks like the lone survivor of the family, a young boy, may grow old to swear revenge and be the driving force of the episode, he’s immediately shot down and killed. So, much for that. But it makes for a powerful opening that quickly establishes the sort of pastiche that this episode is going for—with the American Dad! flag getting branded not long after. If these guys are going for a Western, it’s going to be the violent, sprawling kind where not even children are safe.

In this new Western backdrop, Roger takes on the form of a bounty hunter who is hot on the heels of the outlaw, Stan Smith. There’s a lot of fun Man With No Name Trilogy references going on here, like Roger dragging a coffin behind him (that’s empty, except for self-important symbolism), or Stan being decked out in a very familiar-looking poncho. Roger’s introduction here is also quite funny as he simultaneously butchers a joke and a gathering of people. It’s an inspired sort of Western slant on Roger’s brand of twisted masochism. Giving him a gun and a license to shoot first and ask questions never is a very dangerous recipe.

Another enjoyable character metamorphosis is Hayley, who comes in the form of a debutante whose entire family is dead of cholera…which she gave to them. That’s what has her traveling West. Stan on the other hand has his sights set on reaching Arizona. Specifically, Consternation, Arizona, due to a promise that was made to him.

Curiously, the episode sees this reality’s version of Hayley and Jeff meeting one another, with Jeff deciding to ease her stress with the wonders of opium. Rather than this leading to some sort of commentary on the idea that Hayley and Jeff are constant soul mates, regardless of the universe, the guy overdoses on opiates and is out of the picture almost as quickly as he enters.