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As “King of the Hill” returned with Season 14, my excitement soared. The familiar characters like Hank, Peggy, and Bobby were back, but time had indeed passed. Season 14 explores a retired Hank and Peggy, with Bobby now a 21-year-old chef running his own restaurant. Episode 3 delves into Bobby’s struggles in the business world, and I found myself emotionally invested in his journey.
The Trials of Bobby Hill
In “Bobby Gets Grilled,” Bobby faces multiple challenges in his restaurant, Robata Chane. From running out of charcoal to cultural appropriation accusations, Bobby’s world is in turmoil. Even his own family is taken aback when they discover he’s not using propane in his grilling. But with determination and creativity, Bobby prepares a last supper to prove his critics wrong.
A Father’s Understanding
Bobby’s relationship with his father, Hank, has always been a complex one. While Hank struggled to understand Bobby’s non-traditional interests, he ultimately learns to accept and embrace Bobby for who he is. In a heartfelt moment, Bobby acknowledges his dad’s love for him and propane, but emphasizes the importance of being true to himself. This realization leads to a touching conclusion where Bobby’s authenticity shines through.
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Then, he lets his food speak for him. With his thoughtful attention to detail and taste, he wins over all who doubt him, one by one — even his dad. “Everyone loves the food,” Hank tells Bobby, as his son stands over the charcoal grill, “And that includes me.” Hank even leads a toast to Chef Bobby.
Bobby Hill is a hero to small-town weirdos who dreamed of something else.
For 13 seasons of the original run of King of the Hill, Bobby became a representative for kids who didn’t fit the mold of their small town’s ideals. Being a dog-dancer in a football town isn’t easy. But Bobby provided a vision of confidence that gave us a path to follow and encouragement to stick to it. Sometimes, he even offered that path for his parents.
In Season 4, episode 23, “Transnational Amusements Presents: Peggy’s Magic Sex Feet,” Peggy feels down on herself because a devious foot doctor has exploited her “ugly feet.” Bobby finds her talking negatively about herself, calling herself stupid for loving her body as it is. Bobby offers a speech that’s been shared around the internet ever since this episode aired in 2000.
“I’m fat. But big deal. I don’t feel bad about it. You never made me feel bad about it, and just because there are some people in the world who want me to feel bad about it, doesn’t mean I have to. So Bobby Hill’s fat. Eh. He’s also funny, nice. He’s got a lot of friends, a girlfriend, and if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go outside and squirt her with water. What are you gonna do?”
Bobby dared to love himself, even when he was mocked or misunderstood. He was true to himself as a watergun-toting 11-year-old and now as an embattled 21-year-old. He stuck to his metaphorical guns and showed the world his heart, his truth, and his food. Season 14 of King of the Hill will throw other curveballs of adulthood his way, specifically in terms of romance. But here, in this moment, Bobby Hill proves a role model again.
For every creative kid who made their parents scratch their heads, for every small-town oddball who found their community in a big city, for every fat kid who dared to love themselves, or goofballs who did good, Bobby has been an inspiration. And seeing him get grilled and come out on top means not only that King of the Hill is back and as good as ever, but also that Bobby Hill is still a hero for us weirdos.
King of the Hill is now streaming on Hulu.
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