Hank (Mike Judge) and Peggy (Kathy Najimy) Hill have been living in Saudi Arabia, but have moved back to Arlen, Texas, now that Hank is retired. They are back in their home, rebuilding relationships with their neighbors, including Dale (Johnny Hardwick/Toby Huss), Bill (Stephen Root), and Boomhauer (Mike Judge). Their son, Bobby (Pamela Adlon), now lives in Dallas, where he serves as the executive chef at his own restaurant, Robata Chane.
Season 14 does an impressive job of bringing us back into the Hill’s lives fifteen years after we last saw them in a way that feels both incredibly fresh while remaining entirely comfortable. Judge feels like he didn’t miss a step between 2010 and 2025. The humor is updated in a way that feels authentic by maintaining the rhythm of the show and the way these characters interact with one another consistent with the first thirteen years.
The storylines this season are a lot of fun. Because so much of Hank and Peggy’s life was their work, it was quite entertaining to watch them adjust to retirement. In episode 4, “Chore Money, Chore Problems,” Hank joins Boomhauer on a chore app, only to discover that the reason Boomhauer is so successful on it is because he takes time to listen to his clients. In episode 7, “Any Given Hill-Day,” Peggy starts a tiny library outside of their house, hoping to create a better sense of community and increase reading. In episode 10, “A Sounder Investment,” the Hills have to decide if they want to invest their retirement savings into Boomhauer’s new hog-catching services. It was great seeing the two of them fill their days with things that feel real to the characters, while also highlighting that retirement can be challenging in a new way.
King of the Hill hasn’t forgotten about Bobby in this season. In season 14, he is living in Dallas with Joseph (now voiced by Tai Leclaire). He is also maintaining a friendship with Connie (Lauren Tom), who is in an open relationship with Bobby’s nemesis and investor, Chane Wassanasong (Ki Hong Lee). Watching these long-time relationships change now that they are all adults is probably one of the most rewarding aspects of the reboot. Watching the ways these characters have changed and still remained their essential selves is truly fantastic.
Mike Judge always has something to say about the world around him, and that remains an integral part of this season of King of the Hill. My personal favorite episode was the third, “Bobby Gets Grilled.” In this one, Bobby is accused of cultural appropriation with his restaurant. He wants to serve an authentic fusion of Asian and German cuisines and ends up making everyone mad because he is neither Asian nor German. What makes it work is that they are able to address real concerns about appropriation while also poking gentle fun at people who are angry about things that don’t really concern them.
Another excellent example of Judge’s ability to balance humor and messaging is in episode 9, “No Hank Left Behind,” when Hank takes Good Hank (Finn Wolfhard) to an Andrew Tate-style men’s weekend. Watching Hank’s initial excitement about GH learning about masculinity turn to dread as the unvarnished misogyny is revealed is true to the character, while it also speaks to the draw and danger of people like Tate. It would be easy just to mock this movement, and King of the Hill absolutely does that, but it doesn’t mock people who get caught up in it. That moment of understanding is what sets this show apart from many of its peers.
That attitude is what has always drawn me to King of the Hill. I have primarily occupied conservative spaces my entire life, and the animus that exists for people in red states has certainly felt more intense in the past decade, and at times, I understand. But no matter the prevailing political atmosphere, people are more complex than who they voted for in an election.
In the first episode, Hank is lamenting the many changes that have happened to his hometown while he was gone. Near the end of the episode, he and Peggy head to the Mega-Lo Mart to pick up something. Outside, they encounter a group of Girl Scouts. Hank asks if they still sell Samoas, and one of the girls explains that they do, but they use a different name now out of respect for Samoan people. Hank agrees that’s a good change, and the girl says, “Yeah, it’s nice to be nice.” It is indeed. And King of the Hill is nice.
Rating: 4.5/5
King of the Hill is now streaming on Hulu.
Learn more about the show, including how to watch, at the official website.
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