10 Must-Watch Episodes That Defined King of the Hill

With King of the Hill returning to Hulu in August, it’s a good time to brush up on the animated sitcom classic. While not as zany as the other cartoons that graced primetime Fox, it stood out for its dry humor from Texan dad Hank Hill. His misunderstandings of the world and obsession with propane made him an iconic character, along with the other quirky Texan characters, ranging from the conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble to the rambling talk of Boomhauer.

While King of the Hill didn’t have the strongest continuity, where you can drop into almost any episode, there are a hefty 13 seasons to comb through. Chances are, you won’t get in a full rewatch before the new season drops. With so little time, I’ve compiled the best episodes of the show to watch to get a heaping helping of Texas-style animated absurdity.

10

Grand Theft Arlen

If you’ve ever wondered what Hank Hill would be like as a gamer, Grand Theft Arlen answered that question. When Hank speaks with some local game developers, they’re inspired by his demeanor and make an entire video game based on him. While Hank initially plays the game for research to see if Strickland Propane can sue, he soon becomes addicted to becoming the online game’s top player.

While the episode can be read as one of addiction, it’s really just funny to see Hank Hill go full gamer. The version of Grand Theft Auto depicted in the show is weirdly astute and hilarious, with propane salesmen framed like violent vigilantes. The absurd way the show approaches gaming addiction is so funny, especially when Hank freaks out over stabbing someone in the game, promptly asking, “Which button do I press to turn myself in?”

9

To Sirloin With Love

King of the Hill went out on a relatively high note with To Sirloin with Love. The episode finds Bobby taking a grand interest in a profession that Hank can get behind: meat inspection. Although Bobby has a knack for recognizing thickness and bone type in meat, his limits are tested when dealing with a college team that doesn’t play fair.

This is one of the best Bobby Hill episodes, not just for him finding a calling that makes Hank proud, but for taking charge when others fail. Bobby can be a leader and prove he’s smart enough to shout when others doubt. Couple this with the fitting BBQ finale (and the reveal of Boomhauer’s profession), and you have a mighty fine series finale.

8

Propane Boom

For the season two finale, Hank’s career and passion are threatened in Propane Boom. When the Mega-Lo Mart starts selling propane, Hank’s employer, Strickland Propane, closes its doors. Forced to work in a department store, Hank bands together with his fellow men to get revenge on the store. Those plans didn’t involve blowing up the store, but that happened due to the carelessness of the clerk, Buckley.

This episode is intoxicating because of Hank’s mounting anger toward Mega-Lo Mart. He goes from mildly cussing at a Mega-Lo commercial to throwing toast at Luanne when she attempts to get a job at the store. The explosive finale also made for a great season-closing cliffhanger that left a lingering question of who died in the destruction, making for a tease of a future cartoon you couldn’t miss.

7

Propane Boom II: Death of a Propane Salesman

Propane Boom II: Death of a Propane Salesman delivers on more than just answering who died in the Mega-Lo Mart explosion. The episode focuses more on the fear of death, with Hank looking at propane differently than before. It’s only through Bobby’s concerns and Kahn’s old stories that Hank learns that life is something you can’t go through with constant fear, learning to enjoy the ride rather than fear the end.

This episode is stunning with its animation, from the overlooking view of Arlen that opens the episode to Kahn’s ancient tale told through painterly visuals. While deeply meaningful, there are also plenty of great running gags, from Luanne’s stumbling attempts at activism to Hank constantly being thanked for blowing up Mega-Lo Mart. The episode has everything: deep questioning of mortality, absurd jokes about life itself, and more Chuck Mangione.

6

Hank’s Dirty Laundry

Dale Gribble has so many conspiracies that one was bound to be correct, and his time comes in Hank’s Dirty Laundry. When an overdue videotape ruins Hank’s credit, he’s horrified to discover it’s for a pornographic tape he never rented. As Hank tries to uncover the truth, his quest grows crazier, with porn products being sent to his house and his relationships turning.

Hank’s overreactions are most hilarious when there’s a bit of truth in them, and his awkward fight against Arlen Video’s error is one such occasion. The funniest scene is when Hank is told a clue for his case lies in the porn tapes, leading to the wildest investigation of Hank’s life and the most absurd of courtroom cases he’s ever been involved with. The fact that Bobby is almost entirely oblivious to this entire ordeal also makes for a solid B plot.

5

Returning Japanese Part 2

After returning to Japan for Cotton Hill to visit his estranged lover, Returning Japanese Part 2 finds Hank face to face with his estranged Japanese half-brother Junichiro. Their first meeting is awkward, made all the worse by Cotton’s decision to spit on the Emperor of Japan during a veteran ceremony. The journey to find Cotton, however, brings the two brothers together as they learn the strengths of their backgrounds.

The culture shock of the Hill family vacationing in Japan is a lot of fun, especially the long-running joke that they only stay in the hotel’s sitting room. While all the Japanese stuff is clever, the B plot had me in stitches, as Dale and Bill try to look after Hank’s house. The two of them dress up as Hank and Peggy to make the house seem lived-in, but their antics lead to the weirdest arrest on the block.

4

Ho, Yeah!

The premise of Ho, Yeah is that Hank Hill unwittingly becomes a pimp. Strickland’s latest hire is Tammy, a woman with revealing outfits who comes to stay at Hank’s house while she gets her GED. Despite her attempts not to disclose her profession of prostitution, the truth eventually comes out amid Hank obliviously dressed in a pimp hat while driving around in a Cadillac.

There are so many layers of comedy to this episode, especially with Snoop Dogg voicing a white pimp from Oklahoma. Hank’s overreaction to realizing Tammy’s career is a comical sputtering of taking offense. But the episode also features one of the most clever jokes, with Peggy believing that Tammy read Michael Crichton’s Congo by citing the scene with the lasers, which only happened in the movie.

3

Bobby Goes Nuts

If there’s one memorable line from Bobby Hill, it’s his confusing battle cry against bullies: “That’s my purse! I don’t know you!” After learning about crotch-kicking from a women’s self-defense class, Bobby goes on a rampage of kicking his bullying classmates between the legs. His tactic goes too far when he tries this technique on his dad, resulting in one of the most painful moments in the entire series.

Bobby Goes Nuts highlights the danger of exploiting vulnerabilities, but really, it’s just absurd slapstick that makes this episode so iconic. Hank’s scream as his testicles are smashed is worthy of wincing and laughter because of the high pitch that comes out of his mouth. The climax also satisfyingly delivers the obvious message, with Peggy wrestling Bobby in the backyard, where the kick strategy is less effective.

2

High Anxiety

It’s always fun when King of the Hill dabbles in other genres, and High Anxiety poses an intriguing and hilarious murder mystery. Amid Buck Strickland’s sordid affair, his jealous lover Debbit turns up dead in a dumpster. Hank might have important evidence, but he struggles to cover up the fact that his alibi involves him accidentally smoking marijuana.

The previous episode that set up this murder (Hanky Panky) was pretty funny, with Hank being tossed into awkward sexual situations, but watching him freak out over the slightest puff of marijuana is far more amusing. There are also some charismatic sleuths on the case with the pompous Sheriff Buford (Mac Davis) and no-nonsense Texas Ranger Payton (Phil LaMarr). The ultimate reveal of Debbie’s demise is also pretty amusing, especially with how Bobby reacts to the little details.

1

A Fire-fighting We Will Go

If there’s one episode that makes excellent use of Hank and his three friends, it’s undoubtedly A Fire-fighting We Will Go. Told in the non-linear style of Rashomon (a classic film you should watch if you haven’t), the episode finds the foursome volunteering as firefighters. They’re far too inept for the job, and they’re brought in for questioning about how the firehouse was set on fire under their watch.

This episode has many delightful slapstick antics, ranging from Bill getting stuck on the fireman’s pole to Boomhauer using the jaws of life on a fire hydrant. While the episode showcases how Hank is the glue that holds his friends together, the most amusing aspect is how each friend tells their story of the firehouse. Boomhauer’s memory remains the funniest scene in the series; it’s the only time he speaks clearly, and everybody else has his rambling speech pattern.

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Having watched the series several times from beginning to end, King of the Hill remains one of my favorite animated sitcoms. There’s an everlasting quality to these characters that made them last for 13 seasons and warranted their return. The propane flame still burns strong for this odd little show.