Not to be confused with the Season 1 episode "The Order of the Straight Arrow". "Straight as an Arrow" is the 242nd episode of King of the Hill. It aired on Sunday, November 30, 2008. The episode guest stars Andy Richter as Wesley.
Summary[]
Bobby decides to become a member of the Order of the Straight Arrow, but the new counselor wants the training to be lighter and softer to accommodate his sons. Meanwhile, Luanne and Lucky track down the people who forgot to get them wedding gifts as part of their registry.
Plot[]
Hank notices Bobby riding his bike with a flat tire. Bobby shows no interest fixing whatsoever. This worries Hank, believing his son is going to grow up irresponsible.
Meanwhile, Peggy discovers Arlen's "Welcome Wagon" lady has resigned after several indiscretions and becomes the new "Welcome Wagon" lady. Her first welcoming with Hank is with Wesley Cherish and Annette Cherish and their six children, who have moved to Arlen from Fort Worth. While discussing things to do, Wesley brings up the Order of the Straight Arrow Scout group. Hank explains that the local chapter is inactive and Wesley suggests they restart it.
The first meeting proves to be dull and uninteresting as they stay inside and Wesley creates a fake fire out of a fan, twigs, and ribbons. Hank also discovers that the pocket knives used are just rubber toys. Soon after, Hank goes to Wesley's house to suggest tying knots and creating a bow and arrow, but Wesley suggests making dreamcatchers as he calls the arrow idea too "hunty-killy". Hank also is dismayed by the overprotective safety regulations and the extreme family togetherness at the Cherish house. Hank explains his ideas to the others and, during Wesley's "camp-in" at the library, they plot to show the boys a real Order experience. As the group packs up, Bobby shows Wesley's sons Robin and Kerri a violent video game, in which they become interested. Then, Wesley rudely takes the game away and verbally abuses Bobby, banning him from the trip. Wesley then verbally abuses Hank and shoves the game in his chest when he tries to stick up for Bobby.
As Peggy and Hank complain about the incident, Bobby, now scared and paranoid, buys into Wesley's ideas and gives up his video games. The camp-in as expected proves to be child-like, with the boys reading books and experiencing fake "bear attacks", with Wesley using a teddy bear and pretending it's in their "camp". As Hank's shift comes in, Peggy and the others bring in treats and soda and show the boys a more entertaining and authentic Order of the Straight Arrow experience. As Hank lets the boys out, Robin and Kerri dash into the woods. The group uses classic scouting skills to locate them and to lure them to Hank, such as looking for broken branches and footprints as well as spotting cupcake icing smeared on a tree. Bobby then uses sounds from his video game to lure the boys back.
Wesley arrives at the library as the group comes back with Robin and Wesley. Hank tries to say they all came out for fresh air, the others, who had attempted to stall Wesley, were pepper-sprayed by him in self-defense and ended up telling him the truth. Wesley begins to admonish Hank for his behavior. When Hank tries to defend himself and say he was just letting them be kids, he then learns that Robin has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Kerri is hyperglycemic (similar to diabetes), which would make excessive sugar intake possibly dangerous for the two. Wesley leaves with the boys, saying that he needs to check them for ticks. Hank and Peggy feel bad for thinking they knew the boys better than their own father. The remaining boys then ask Hank to show them "more cool arrow stuff" and Hank begins to show them how to carve a fishing spear. As the credits appear, Bobby cuts himself on the pocket knife, letting out a cry of pain, and Hank tells him to hold his hand above his head (a usual way to stop circulation so cuts don't bleed out).
Meanwhile, Luanne and Lucky attempt to "retrieve"/extort wedding gifts they feel like they are owed, going to neighbors who got them inadequate gifts or none at all--including Kahn--who only gives in after Lucky threatens him with his gang.
Characters[]
- Hank Hill
- Peggy Hill
- Bobby Hill
- Dale Gribble
- Bill Dauterive
- Jeff Boomhauer
- Wesley Cherish
- Annette Cherish
- Robin Cherish
- Kerri Cherish
- Jack
- Luanne Platter
- Lucky Kleinschmidt
- Nancy Gribble
- Minh Souphanousinphone
- Kahn Souphanousinphone
- Mud Dobber (non-speaking)
- Elvin Mackelston (non-speaking)
- Monsignor Martinez (poster cameo)
Stinger Quote[]
- Bill: "(screams) It burns so much!"
Trivia[]
- The episode title is a play on the simile "straight as an arrow".
- This episode is the last episode (both in production code order and TV broadcast order) to be shown in 4:3 standard definition. From "Lucky See, Monkey Do" to "To Sirloin, With Love" (in production code order)/"Just Another Manic Kahn-Day" (if one were to count the leftover episodes that aired on Adult Swim) [and including the newer episodes set to air on Hulu in August 2025], the show is now in 16:9 high definition.
- While Lucky and Luanne are enjoying their wedding gifts, Cozy Kitchen's appliances, which appeared in the episode "Peggy's Gone to Pots", are visibly seen among the gifts.
- The loaf of bread that Bobby uses in an attempt to reach the cereal box is Wonder Bread.
Quotes[]
To be added.
Goofs[]
- This episode establishes that this is Bobby's first time as a member of The Straight Arrow scout troop, even though he was a member in the season one episode, "The Order of the Straight Arrow".
- According to Dale, Joseph is not a member of the Straight Arrow troop because he taught him to be a survivalist, yet Joseph was also in the Straight Arrow troop with Bobby on the same episode.
- This episode reveals that Boomhauer lost his left pinky toe some time during his time in the Straight Arrow, though most past episodes where he's barefoot show that he still has five toes.
Gallery[]
