The plot follows the core Mystery Inc. gang visiting Shaggy's distant cousin Tawny at her dude ranch in a tourist town terrorized by the apparent ghost of ancestor Dapper Jack Rogers, who fires green flames from his guns. The story centers on classic unmasking of a villain (Rafe, a land company executive using the legend for profit) after clues involving a hidden diary, boric acid flames, and rodeo events, with Shaggy discovering natural cowboy skills tied to his heritage.

The traditional mystery-solving premise relies entirely on family ancestry and Western tropes as its sole drivers, delivering positive messages limited to teamwork, courage, and resourcefulness. Casting remains unchanged from franchise norms, with Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey DeLisle, and Kate Micucci voicing Scooby, Shaggy, Daphne, and Velma respectively. No identity-focused subplots or social justice framing intrude on the narrative, themes, or character arcs, keeping the emphasis on straightforward adventure and problem-solving without any progressive ideological overlay.