^{Credit: King of the Hill (Hulu)}

Of all the nostalgic shows that saw revivals in recent years, King of the Hill Season 14 perhaps did the best job at adapting to the times. In a way, that’s surprising, as Hank Hill has generally been hesitant towards change. Yet, that’s also why King of the Hill provides such a unique perspective. As much as the world has evolved, Texas is still Texas. King of the Hill nonetheless remains an affectionate portrait of the Lone Star State, taking a relatable approach to how middle-class Americans like Hank and Peggy adjust to concepts that weren’t necessarily top of mind fifteen years ago. In Season 15, this includes voice cloning scams, cuddle therapy, and the rise of electric trucks cars.

Some issues are more perennial, such as Peggy going through menopause. In terms of voiceover work, Kathy Najimy may be the MVP this season, although Pamela Adlon once again doesn’t miss a beat with Bobby’s journey into manhood. Last season saw Bobby and Connie revisit their childhood romance. They’re official in Season 15, much to the chagrin of Chane Wassanasong. I’ve never been a huge Chane fan, but he’s thankfully only in the premiere episode. From there, it’s nice seeing Bobby and Connie traverse an adult relationship.

It seems like only yesterday that Bobby was sneaking into Connie’s room, questioning if it was alright for them to see each other naked. Years later, it’s Connie sneaking into Bobby’s childhood bedroom, although the idea of them stripping down is far less uncomfortable. Of course, having your parents walk in will always be uncomfortable. Bobby and Connie not only share a cute relationship, but a realistic one. Even when faced with a more outlandish hurdle, like Connie not appreciating Bobby’s dedication to the art of mascot performance, they return to a grounded place. At the end of the day, they bring out the best in each other, which is more than can be said about Connie’s parents.

Speaking of which, Ronny Chieng returns as Kahn, who thankfully has a larger role this season. He’s moved out of Minh’s garage, now living across the street with Bill. While this makes for a classic odd couple setup, Kahn and Bill complement each other surprisingly well. Bill has always been a quintessential loser. Kahn has always tried to keep up appearances as a success. Deep down, though, he’s also a loser, hitting a new low with his divorce. So, it doesn’t feel out of character that he’d take a liking to Bill, who’s desperate for any form of companionship.

Boomhauer has settled into a committed relationship as well, but he’s still getting a grasp on parenting. One of the season’s best episodes sees Boomhauer and Luke Jr. bond over a chicken, who turns into a rooster. When they seek to enter the bird into a contest, though, it’s met with resistance from parents who argue that it’s not a real rooster. The trans athlete allegory is clear, although it’s tackled as only a show like King of the Hill can. Hank naturally emerges as a voice of reason. Sometimes it’s Hank who needs to learn acceptance, however. After clashing with cosplayers at a con, Hank must reckon with the notion that dressing up as a sci-fi character isn’t much different from painting your face at a football game.

It goes without saying that Dale still steals every scene he’s in, with Toby Huss settling into the role following Johnny Hardwick’s passing. The late Jonathan Joss’ voice can also be heard one last time this season as John Redcorn. When I interviewed showrunner Saladin Patterson, he mentioned that John Redcorn’s future in the series is undecided for now. If this is Redcorn’s last appearance, he’s satisfied with where he leaves things with Nancy. Personally, I hope John Redcorn lives on, although hopefully Nancy’s adultery days are officially behind her.

Other questions remain up in the air, such as whether or not we’ll ever see Luanne and Lucky again following the loss of Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty. While I missed them last season, their absence wasn’t as noticeable this time. Season 15 does delve deeper into the loss of Hank’s beloved bloodhound Lady Bird, as the Hills adopt a new dog named Caesar Salad. Hank isn’t a fan of the name, but the rescue Mutt grows on him. We also see what exactly prompted Hank to leave Strickland Propane and take the job in Saudi Arabia. It’s the first episode of the revival primarily told in flashback, yet it shakes up the status quo for Season 16.

King of the Hill continues to strike a balance between the warmth of catching up with old friends and exploring how they have (or haven’t) changed in this brave new world. If there’s a missed opportunity this season, it’s that we see none of Keith David’s Brian, who was introduced last season. Granted, Brian isn’t renting the Hill’s house anymore, although you’d think we’d see more of him since he’s in the opening credits. Nitpicks like this aside, the show is still the king of character-driven comedy. To paraphrase, something Peggy tells a former student turned food critic this season, "Please take comfort in knowing that if I gave you four stars, you deserved it."

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Available Now!