"Spin the Choice" is the eighty-eighth episode of King of the Hill. It first aired on November 19, 2000. The episode was written by Paul Lieberstein and directed by Allan Jacobsen.
Summary[]
John Redcorn becomes fixated on establishing a familial bond with Joseph. Bobby, becoming upset during John Redcorn's assembly, makes a protest against Thanksgiving.
Plot[]
Despite Hank's excitement to let him carve the turkey this year, Bobby boycotts Thanksgiving after hearing John Redcorn's presentation at Tom Landry Middle School about what European settlers ("the white man") did to the Native Americans. John adamantly tries to get Joseph to engage in their Native American history, but Joseph shows no interest at all. John Redcorn continuously tries to get Joseph's attention and engage him somehow as a father, still to no avail.
Meanwhile, Peggy is excited for another Thanksgiving Boggle tournament, but Luanne informs her that people are tired of them as Peggy gives grades instead of prizes--making it feel like school. So Peggy invents a game of her own called "Spin The Choice" as she finds out online that people like to spin and choose in their games. John Redcorn wants Joseph to embrace the Native American heritage. He wants Joseph to rise up and reclaim everything the Native Americans once owned. When Hank confronts Redcorn for telling Bobby about European settlers forcing Native Americans off their tribal lands, Redcorn claims he wants "his son back." He breaks down in tears to Hank, who flees in horror and discomfort.
On Thanksgiving Day at mealtime outside the Hill residence, Redcorn tries to talk to Joseph once more but Nancy stops him. Bobby holds his own booth separate from the dinner table, announcing that the Native Americans practiced a traditional meal where they would cook and eat their human enemies after war. He calls it a "Truly Native American Thanksgiving Tradition," which disgusts Joseph. Redcorn tells Joseph that his tribe has not practiced cannibalism for over 700 years, but Joseph shuns Redcorn and calls him a cannibal, causing Redcorn to run away in frustration. He goes home and begins smashing things in his trailer in anger. Joseph has more contempt for John than ever, but Nancy scolds Joseph and tells him how much John has really lost, and decides to tell Joseph everything about John Redcorn's background.
Dale drives over to Redcorn's trailer and hands him a to-go plate--the real leftovers. John Redcorn feels he is being low-balled yet again. He readies himself to tell Dale that he conceived Joseph. Dale is scared that John Redcorn may eat him and calls Hank, terrified. Hank goes over to smooth things out, and Bobby and Joseph insist on coming. Hank explains to Bobby that it is true that Native Americans have historically been mistreated, but that does not justify some of their traditions such as cannibalism. When Joseph arrives, John Redcorn plans to tell both Dale and Joseph. But Joseph gives an impassioned speech that subtly implies that Nancy has told Joseph the truth. Redcorn feels appeased, accepts the government's measly settlement of 12 acres and gives them to Dale to be accepted upon Redcorn's death, which will then be given to Joseph. It is next to a busy road, but they decide to try to make the most of it.
For the game rules and how to play, see Spin the Choice (Game).
Characters[]
- Hank Hill
- Peggy Hill
- Bobby Hill
- John Redcorn
- Joseph Gribble
- Dale Gribble
- Bill Dauterive
- Jeff Boomhauer
- Luanne Platter
- Nancy Gribble
- Dr. Boomhauer (non-speaking)
- Mrs. Boomhauer (non-speaking)
- Ladybird
- Carl Moss (non-speaking)
- Moss's mother (non-speaking)
- Susie (non-speaking)
- Judy (non-speaking)
- Leventhal (non-speaking)
- Clark Peters (non-speaking)
Stinger Quote[]
Hank: "Oh my God, it's so juicy!"
Trivia[]
- The episode title is a play on the popular party game "Spin the bottle".
- John Redcorn is called an Anasazi Indian; however, the Anasazis were an ancient tribe which died out approximately 500 years ago. Also, the Anasazis were never in Texas. They were in the areas which are now northern Arizona, southern Utah, southern Colorado, and northern New Mexico.
- When John Redcorn drops off Bobby at The Hill residence, Bobby is seen reading the book titled "This Land is our Land." This same book (which belongs to John Redcorn) is seen being read by John Redcorn in the previous episode "Nancy Boys."
- The Texas clock on the wall in the kitchen at The Hill residence is now a solid wooden Texas plaque, and remains so for the rest of the series. Every episode prior to this one, it has been a clock and differed in color.
- The song John Redcorn is listening to when waiting for Joseph and Bobby is "White Wedding" by Billy Idol; the same song would appear being sung by Redcorn in "Lucky's Wedding Suit."
Goofs[]
- When John Redcorn is pointing out that his people have not engaged in cannibalism for 700 years, one of his earrings disappears and reappears.
- When Peggy is on her computer, for a few seconds there is a little bit of empty space between the computer and her torso. This makes it obvious that she is not fully drawn.
Quotes[]
Bobby: "Mr. Redcorn, this head's for you."
Gallery[]
