Early in “King of the Hill” Season 15 — or, if you prefer, the second season of Hulu’s revival — Hank Hill ventures out on a simple errand. His goal: Buy toothpaste. His obstacle: Mega-Lo-Mart’s new security glass, which transforms a quick stop at the so-called convenience store into an annoying time-suck. Not only does Hank have to wait for an employee to amble over and help him — assistance that, by its forced necessity alone, aggravates a man who can build a cabinet faster than this kid can open one — the delay also leaves time for Peggy (Kathy Najimy) to adopt a decrepit rescue dog at the mobile station outside. Just when he thought he was out, they pull him back in — to buy an orthopedic harness for his new pet.
The scene nicely encapsulates what’s made “King of the Hill” an enduring sitcom. Hank Hill, our hero (voiced by co-creator Mike Judge), is a traditionalist challenged by a developing world. Sometimes, his distrust for a new way of doing things proves unfounded and he, however begrudgingly, adapts. (Spoiler alert: Peggy isn’t the only one who ends up charmed by the sick puppy.) Other times, his disdain for society’s so-called “improvements” checks out, like with the security measures that deter more shoppers than thieves. He’s a vent for our frustrations, as well as our guide through them.
Season 15, like the first revival season before it, is filled with classic Hank-isms. In one episode, he gets scammed by an AI chatbot and has to learn about cybersecurity. Another tests the limits of Hank’s tolerance for his friends’ tomfoolery (yes, it’s mainly Dale’s doings), while one of the stronger entries highlights his unlimited devotion to Peggy as she struggles through her first brush with menopause. In between, there are plenty of laughs, catharsis, and even moments of poignance.
It’s a good season. Quite good, even, and for many of the same reasons I cited last year. That’s the way we tend…