After The Simpsons hit television screens, several similar adult animated series hit the airwaves, including shows like Family Guy and American Dad. But one of the longest-running and most unsuspecting entries was none other than Mike Judge's King of the Hill. Compared to other animated shows, King of the Hill never relied on clever animation or strange gimmicks to pull its audience in. Instead, the humor and heart came from the characters and the stories that brought them to life.
King of the Hill focused on Hank Hill, a husband and father who lived in Texas next door to three of his closest friends. Overall, Hank had a great life and made the most of it every day. But with each episode, he faced a strange obstacle or shenanigan that opposed his reserved sensibilities. His greatest hurdle came from his son Bobby, whose interests tested Hank more than anything. However, throughout the series, it became clear that their relationship was ahead of its time.
Hank Never Completely Understood Bobby
Hank and Bobby Hill were like night and day. Hank's perfect day would have been drinking beer with his friends, watching a football game and spending the evening with his beloved wife Peggy over a fresh, propane-grilled steak. However, Bobby's perfect day was likely to include practicing his prop comedy, reading a fantasy novel and giving human emotions to inanimate objects. As a result of their varied interests, Hank couldn't quite connect with his son -- even though he always wanted to.
Even though the father and son duo didn't always connect, this never caused a rift between them. Instead, they always tried to meet one another halfway and see what life was like in the other's shoes, such as when Hank tried to get involved in Bobby's competitive rose growing in Season 7, Episode 6, "The Son Also Roses." That said, it was much easier for Bobby to see Hank's perspective than the other way around. Nevertheless, Hank never stopped Bobby from being a child, even if he felt "that boy ain't right." And their dynamic was well ahead of other TV fathers and sons.
How Were Hank and Bobby Ahead of Their Time?
Hank wasn't a controlling parent and, for the most part, let Bobby do as he pleased. The few times Hank did step in were to save Bobby from a humiliating situation. A great example of this was in Season 2, Episode 6, "Husky Bobby," when Hank kept Bobby from being pelted with food at a fashion show. Hank may not have been able to follow Bobby's logic, but he did what he could to support him and keep his youthful spirit from being destroyed by the world. The same could also be said for Bobby, as he tried to support his father. In Season 8, Episode 7, "Livin' on Reds, Vitamin C and Propane," Hank and Bobby bonded while hauling furniture to Arizona in a semi. Their adventure proved that the two were more similar than they thought.
Bobby represented many aspects of childhood. He showed Hank what he could've been had his own father Cotton Hill not raised him so harshly. Bobby could also test Hank's rigid lifestyle and remind him that there were many paths to reach a destination. Their relationship showed that support from a parent should be unconditional. They may not always understand their child, but it's important to be there for them. The child can do the same in return, forming a reliable bond. While Hank had a hard time telling Bobby he loved him, the love that the two characters had for one another was stronger than any other TV parent-child relationship of its era.
The complete series of King of the Hill is now streaming on Hulu.