When Homer shows up at the power plant and finds the entrance padlocked, Lenny and Carl drive by in a convertible and remind him that it’s being fumigated. Homer, it turns out, did not receive an e-mail alerting employees about the plant’s temporary closure because he does not own a computer. Homer spends $5000 on a new computer and, with Lisa’s help, is soon surfing the Internet. After perusing—and being disappointed in—many different Web sites, Homer creates his own, and calls it “Mr. X’s Web page.” Bart then passes along a juicy piece of gossip: Mayor Quimby spent the highway fund on the creation of a secret swimming pool. Homer concludes the news is worthy of mention on his site. Soon after, word of the alleged pool spreads throughout town, forcing Mayor Quimby to call a press conference. The rumor about the secret pool turns out to be true. Afterward, Homer tells his family that he feels as if he has changed the world.

Homer vows to expose more injustices. He relays word that Apu’s bagels are really old donuts, and accuses the police of using the electric chair to cook chicken. But thanks to his pseudonym, his identity remains secret. Later, Homer overhears Mr.Burns making a secret deal to sell terrorists some deadly uranium. Soon after, federal agents haul the old billionaire away. But when Mr. X is awarded the Pulitzer Prize, Homer identifies himself. Unfortunately, the revelation comes with consequences. When Homer returns to the bar, his drinking buddies are reluctant to speak, as they fear their conversations may end up on the Internet. Homer is kicked out of the bar. Without a regular supply of gossip, Homer concocts outrageous stories, including one about mind control via flu shots. Shortly thereafter, Homer is kidnapped and hauled away in a mysterious truck.

Homer soon finds himself on The Island, a strange land populated by citizens clad in Gatsy-esque clothing (not unlike the classic 60’s television series The Prisoner) for whom escape is impossible. Homer is knocked unconscious by a gas-emitting flower. When he awakens, he finds himself in a community room filled with other prisoners, including Number 6 (Patrick McGoohan). Eventually, Number 2 informs Homer that his Web site expose on flu shots and mind control was, in fact, quite true. Homer tells Number 2 that his family will soon find him. But at that moment, a man identical to Homer shows up at the Simpson house. Later, Homer vows to find a way off the Island. Number 6 then shows him a handmade boat crafted from odds and ends. Homer pushes him aside and sails off. A giant balloon, like the one from The Prisoner, suddenly attacks. Homer easily pops it with a plastic fork and makes his way home. There, the fake Homer suddenly looms up and attempts to strangle the real Homer with a computer mouse cord as Number 2 observes from the computer screen. When Marge and the children return home, Marge is confused by the sight of two Homers. She then asks a question about her birthday. When Homer admits he has no idea when her birthday is, Marge hugs him, certain she has identified the real one. Shortly thereafter, knockout gas pours out of Santa’s Little Helper’s mouth. Later, the Simpsons awaken on The Island.