When FOX announced King of the Hill would return for a 12th season, I was thrilled. As much as I love Futurama (and used to love The Simpsons), it's Hank Hill who has headlined the greatest animated comedy of our time.
While South Park and Family Guy beat viewers over the head with idiotic jokes that may as well have been written for ten year olds (that 'South Park' calls them "political" is laughable), Hill and Futurama delivered socially relevant satire with elegant subtlety.
But after the first three episodes, my initial happiness has subsided. ‘Lucky’s Wedding Suit,’ the episode intended to be the Hills’ last hurrah still resonates and I'm dismayed it will never be more than a season finale.
In an industry where very few series go out on their own terms, great series finales are rare. Arrested Development managed to pull it off despite a tragically early demise (as did Freaks and Geeks to a lesser extent).
King of the Hill deserved no less of a send off after its remarkable 200-plus episode run. ‘Lucky’s Wedding Suit’ was just that.
Luanne's wedding allowed us to revisit all the series' minor characters. The closing montage began with the series' regulars standing on Rainey Street, sending off the bride to be and closed with one last visit to the alley.
The final seconds saw Boomhauer reflect on the "enormity of it all" and Hank finally admitting that he's got "well, I'd guess you call it... well, emotions."
It was beautifully done. And as much as I'm enjoy the new season, I've got to wonder if ten years down the road, these extra episodes will have been worth compromising such a magical end to one of the greatest series of our time.
» Watch the Final Scene of Lucky's Wedding Suit
FINAL GRADE: B+
