Ep 2. Texas City Twister

Tornado season has hit the small town of Arlen and the Hill family is ready to brace themselves for impact. Hank, the patriarch of the family, is determined to protect his home and family from the devastating twister. He studies weather reports, secures his property, and even goes as far as to fetch his old high school football helmet to use as his own personal safety gear.

As he is making the final preparations, his next-door neighbor Dale Gribble rallies the neighborhood to take shelter in his panic room, situated in his basement. Hank is suspicious of the safety of a self-made shelter and instead convinces his family to take refuge in the more secure backyard shed. As the tornado approaches the town, everyone around them is seen bowing down to take cover, but the Hill family and their neighbors are bravely holding up their fort.

The episode also has some comical moments as Peggy, Hank's wife, is set on winning a contest for photographing the best tornado shot. She hilariously convinces her family members to pose in various positions to make her picture look more authentic. Things take a turn of events when one of the neighbors is spotted hanging on the windmill in Hank's backyard and it's up to Hank and the gang to rescue him. In the midst of the tornado, the family discovers a twister genie dressed up as a safety brochure, causing a hilarious interlude.

As the storm passes on, the Hill family, and their neighbors emerge safe, but there is a stark contrast between how Hank's preparations saved his household, and Dale's lack of preparation caused him to retreat to his unsecured basement. The episode ends with Dale leaving the community meeting, disheartened by the fact that his actions, or lack thereof, during the storm, has caused his house to flood.

In this episode, we see a more serious tone with the dangers of a natural calamity, but it's still dealt with in a humorous light. The exaggerations of the characters, their idiosyncrasies, and small-town politics give us a glimpse of North American society and its values. The realistic portrayal of a natural disaster's aftermath sheds light on the importance of safety, preparedness, and community solidarity. King Of The Hill captures these themes excellently while still keeping the episode light-hearted.