Ep 10. Keeping Up With Our Joneses

Hank Hill and his family are the focus of the animated comedy series King of the Hill, which centers around the everyday situations the residents of the small town of Arlen, Texas find themselves in. In the tenth episode of the first season, titled "Keeping Up With Our Joneses," Hank and his wife Peggy find themselves in a battle to keep up with the Joneses, their new neighbors who seem to have everything the Hills lack.

As the episode begins, the Hills are introduced to their new neighbors, the Joneses, who have just moved in next door. Hank is immediately impressed by Mr. Jones, who drives a brand new red Corvette and works at a high-paying job. Peggy is similarly impressed with Mrs. Jones, who seems to have everything that Peggy lacks, including a perfect house, a great job, and a husband who compliments her constantly.

Feeling inferior, Hank and Peggy begin to compare themselves to the Joneses, and come to the conclusion that they need to start keeping up with them to avoid being seen as inferior. Hank decides to buy a new grill, similar to the one Mr. Jones has, while Peggy agrees to buy a new wardrobe and hairstyle in an attempt to look more like Mrs. Jones.

As the Hills continue to try and keep up with their neighbors, the situation begins to spiral out of control. Hank's new grill turns out to be a nightmare to operate, causing him to break his hand and destroy half the neighborhood before he finally gives up on it. Peggy's new look proves to be equally disastrous, with her new hairdo being so difficult to maintain that she ends up having to shave her head entirely.

Despite their failures, Hank and Peggy continue to try and keep up with the Joneses, leading to a series of increasingly embarrassing situations. Finally, after a conversation with Mr. Jones himself, Hank realizes that he has been trying too hard and that the Joneses are not as happy as they seem. In the end, Hank and Peggy realize that they have everything they need in their own lives and that they don't need to keep up with anyone else to be happy.

"Keeping Up With Our Joneses" is a classic episode of King of the Hill, featuring the timeless themes of envy, insecurity, and the empty pursuit of material possessions. Through the antics of the Hills and their neighbors, the show delivers a poignant message about the importance of being true to oneself and finding happiness in the simple things in life.

With its sharp writing, expert voice acting, and wry sense of humor, King of the Hill remains a beloved classic of American animation, and "Keeping Up With Our Joneses" is a standout episode that captures the show's unique blend of humor and heart. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, this episode is sure to make you laugh, think, and feel all the feels.