TVSquad

(S11E11) As much as I like to poke fun at the "Simpsons already did it" crowd for not realizing that everything has pretty much been done already, I must admit that I sometimes fall into that same mindset a little too easily.

Yes, the Simpsons did do an episode where Homer starts working out and becomes, not unlike Bill does in this episode, about half flabby and half muscular. Coincidentally, that Simpsons episode is actually titled "King of the Hill." However, that particular Simpsons episode was about Homer trying to win Bart's respect, whereas this episode of King of the Hill was about Bill obtaining a body never thought he could have, and becoming so self-centered he pushes all his friends away.

One of the things I love about King of the Hill is that the secondary characters are just as substantial as the main characters. Often when another series focuses on a secondary character, that means the episode won't be as strong as the others, but Hank Hill's neighborhood is filled with weird, amazing characters who can easily carry an entire episode. Bill is such a lonely sap that when his three muscle-bound, meat-headed buddies take him under their vein-y wings he accepts with glee, even if that means all his real friends start to hate him.

Also, never let it be said a cartoon can't make you feel. When Bill injures himself and is held hostage by his ignorant trainers, I wanted to jump into my television and whisk him off to the hospital.

I was turned off by this episode at first, but it won me over by the end, so I'll give it 7 out of 7.