With a revival currently in early development, many viewers anticipate what could take place during a new season of King of the Hill. Some have mentioned the theory that Bobby Hill might have grown since the cancellation of the series, which could create new situations for him to continue developing as a character. In the original show, Bobby had some serious moments that were less funny and more real for someone his age.
Although King of the Hill ran for 13 seasons from 1997-2010, Bobby didn’t age much on the show. He does have a birthday in Season 5 where he turns 13, but that’s the only time he physically changes. Since he’s almost permanently stuck at 12 — such a developmentally challenging time for adolescents — the creators did an amazing job of showcasing some troubling issues children might experience at this age. Without becoming overly after-school special about the topics, Bobby experiences moments of heartbreak caused by his family and his peers as he shifts into teenagehood.
King of the Hill quickly establishes that Bobby isn’t the type of son Hank expected. Hank had a complicated relationship with his father Cotton, so he tries not to perpetuate the same cycle… but sometimes he falls short. Bobby is interested in less “boyish” things and Hank is often put off by this. One significant episode that showcases this dynamic is Season 7, Episode 6, “The Son Also Roses,” when Bobby develops an interest in gardening. At first, Hank wants to deny Bobby this pursuit, but he eventually realizes he doesn’t want to be negative like Cotton, so he decides to support Bobby instead. They have some tough moments together, but they come out of the episode closer than before. This episode touches viewers who may have also struggled with acceptance from parental figures and just wanted their parent to be okay with who they were (unlike Hank’s attitude towards Luanne).
One of the most heartbreaking moments for Bobby comes in Season 3, Episode 2, “And They Call It Bobby Love,” when Bobby gets an older girlfriend, Marie. Audiences have already witnessed some back and forth of emotions between Bobby, Connie (the daughter of Hank’s prickly but important neighbor Kahn) and Bobby’s best friend Joseph, but this particular episode gives Bobby a lesson in having feelings for the wrong person. He gives up certain parts of himself to impress Marie. She’s mildly interested in him at first, but quickly grows tired and eventually breaks up with him, leaving him standing alone in the street babbling nonsense. This plotline hurts to watch and is incredibly impactful for anyone who’s also experienced young heartbreak.
During Season 5, Episode 3, “I Don’t Want to Wait…,” Bobby is faced with another big revelation in his life when he turns 13. The episode takes place at the end of the summer, when Joseph returns with a deeper voice and a mustache. Bobby has been the leader in his friend group and is used to having Connie’s undivided attention, but in this episode, he treats Connie poorly and then suffers the consequences when she runs off with Joseph in Dale’s truck. After they wreck the truck and ditch it, the entire town comes together to discuss how destructive teenagers are, and the kids share a moment where they truly take in the fact that they’re teenagers.
The episode has heightened drama between the three as they navigated uncomfortable, hormonal feelings inside themselves. Another important lesson learned in this storyline, too, is that they can let these petty slights go because they’re friends at the end of the day. This theme was repeated between the trio multiple times in the rest of King of the Hill, but it was these three episodes where Bobby was used to tell some important stories about growing up, even if he didn’t seem to do much maturing himself.
The complete series of King of the Hill is now streaming on Hulu.