10 Best Before King of the Hill Episodes About Nancy & John Redcorn

Upon hearing that King of the Hill was making a comeback for another season, it sparked memories for us. Particularly about one of the show’s contentious couples – Nancy and John Redcorn. Throughout the original series, their hidden relationship that was right under Dale’s nose provided humor amidst some uncomfortable moments. However, it was an essential element of the show, especially when considered from the perspective of the Gribble family saga. Keeping this in mind, we have compiled ten episodes featuring Nancy Gribble and John Redcorn, which we believe offer a unique look into this long-term affair-involved couple.

1) “Peggy’s Headache” (Season 3, Episode 3)

In this episode, it’s revealed for the first time that John Redcorn is having an affair, and it’s Peggy who discovers the secret. When Peggy begins to experience severe headaches, she seeks solace by visiting Redcorn. Upon reaching his residence, she enters his bedroom only to find Nancy in bed with him. What makes this situation even more surprising is that Peggy seems oblivious to the true circumstances. Instead of expressing shock or asking about the unexpected scene, she asks Redcorn for assistance with her headaches.

Peggy informs Hank she’ll often need Redcorn’s assistance. However, Hank unexpectedly reveals that Redcorn is involved with Nancy, Dale’s wife. Upon hearing this, Peggy angrily talks to Nancy about her behavior. The episode subtly shows Nancy’s vulnerability, hinting that their relationship isn’t just physical but emotional as well. This situation also challenges John Redcorn to acknowledge his hypocrisy, admitting he’s been hiding his infidelity behind his healing practices.

**2) “Three Men and a B*stard” (Season 12, Episode 12)**

In this episode, titled “The Blake McCormick Project: A Fresh Start,” events unfold when Bill gets entangled with Charlene, a captivating single mom who has come back to Arlen. Bill instinctively senses something odd about Charlene’s eldest child, Kate, whom he finds strikingly familiar. He secretly takes a strand of her hair for DNA testing and is shocked to find the results bearing a striking resemblance to Joseph’s. Dale automatically presumes that Kate is his daughter. John Redcorn swiftly identifies Charlene as an old flame from years past, having known her by her stage name Candi back then. Their encounter rekindles their feelings, leading them to start dating and leaving Bill responsible for her children.

Nancy realizes that John Redcorn has started seeing Charlene again and confronts him about it. Their conversation is tense because Nancy can’t shake off her old feelings for Redcorn. By the end of the show, Charlene ends up leaving Bill to be with John Redcorn, rekindling their romance. Later on, Dale jokes that Redcorn will now raise his daughter, an irony since Dale doesn’t know he’s actually raising Redcorn’s son.

3) “Nancy Boys“ (Season 4, Episode 21)

In this episode, the Gribble marriage experiences a significant shift. After John Redcorn suggests needing some distance from Nancy, she goes on a double date with Hank, Peggy, and Dale at That’s Amore. After an evening filled with abundant alcohol, a romantic atmosphere, and Dale’s persistent flirting, Nancy does something she hadn’t contemplated in a while – she spends the night with her husband. Subsequently, Dale admits to feeling remorse for overlooking Nancy’s needs, necessitating Redcorn’s attention. With Dale once again paying heed to Nancy’s needs, she decides to conclude her 14-year affair with John Redcorn.

In this installment, Nancy takes back control and renews her commitment to her marriage, despite the persistent burden of guilt. On the other hand, Redcorn finds himself alone, grappling with sorrow and loss. The episode concludes with a poignant mix of harshness and redemption. Nancy’s emotional choice appears genuine and well-deserved, marking a significant turning point in her narrative. Moreover, Redcorn’s heartache vividly illustrates the personal toll their prolonged relationship has taken.

4) “Spin the Choice“ (Season 5, Episode 4)

At Thanksgiving, the story unfolds a clash of contrasting aspirations – Peggy’s pursuit of enjoyment versus Redcorn’s quest for recognition as Joseph’s father. To bring excitement to the gathering, Peggy devises a game called “Spin the Choice,” while Redcorn delivers an emotional speech about Native American land rights, causing Bobby to initiate a boycott due to its intensity. Nancy faces the challenge of shielding Joseph from this cultural standoff yet acknowledging that his ancestry holds significant and valuable historical roots.

In this episode, Redcorn’s profound sense of fatherly duty is emphasized, while Nancy strives to conceal any painful truths that might jeopardize her family. Nancy decides to instruct Joseph about John Redcorn’s past, and John unexpectedly chooses to remain silent about his biological connection to Joseph. There’s a subdued, yet poignant acknowledgement between the former lovers, indicating a stronger bond and insight into their previous relationship, suggesting it transcended physical intimacy. This sets the stage nicely for point 5.

5) “Of Mice and Little Green Men“ (Season 6, Episode 14)

The story primarily revolves around Dale’s sci-fi anxiety, interspersed with Nancy and Redcorn’s background, notably Joseph. Dale becomes anxious when Joseph showcases his athletic skills during a game of lacrosse. At first, Dale suspects that Joseph is an extraterrestrial, but later worries he might be someone else’s child. On the other hand, Hank comforts Dale, emphasizing that parenthood isn’t solely dependent on biology.

In this episode, Nancy’s influence as Joseph’s mother shines particularly bright. Her silent demeanor resonates with a truth that Dale seemingly overlooks. This unspoken truth carries considerable heft, and it permeates each frame showcasing Joseph’s victories. Furthermore, during the lacrosse game, her mixed feelings of pride and strain are evident in her subtle smile, which speaks volumes.

6) “Night and Deity“ (Season 7, Episode 21)

In a personal dilemma that forces her to reconsider her past decisions, Nancy finds herself confronted by an emotional turmoil. The story unfolds when a pigeon problem in their neighborhood compels Dale to enlist the aid of Sheila Refkin, a highly skilled exterminator. As Sheila delves deeper into the pest control task, Nancy grows suspicious that she and Dale may have more than just a professional relationship. The possibility of Dale spending time with Sheila stirs feelings of insecurity within Nancy, causing her to question the solidity of their bond. This tension is palpable as Nancy wrestles with emotions of guilt and dread. Her clandestine affair with John Redcorn, an aspect of her past that Dale remains unaware of, looms ominously over their marriage.

In simpler terms, although Nancy felt nervous, she tried to handle the situation with poise. She convinced Dale to go ahead with his work project with Sheila, hiding her unease under a veneer of encouragement. The story ends happily when Dale, after bonding with Sheila, reaffirmed his love for Nancy. He came back home and shared the night’s events with her, expressing his unwavering devotion. Nancy visibly relaxed, and they found comfort in each other’s company, watching their favorite TV show together. The movie “Night and Deity” highlights the emotional layers of Nancy’s personality and her ongoing struggle towards self-acceptance and harmony.

7) “Redcorn Gambles With His Future“ (Season 9, Episode 11)

In this episode focusing on John Redcorn, we get to see a different side of him – that of an enterprising visionary and cultural champion. Growing tired of his band’s limited recognition, he manages to secure funding for establishing an Indian casino. Guided by Hank’s advice, Redcorn boldly uses his land to launch the Speaking Wind Casino and Entertainment Center. His ambitious plan involves creating a platform for his band to perform as well as offering a venue for Strickland Propane Family Fun Day, led by Hank. Throughout this venture, Redcorn skillfully merges his cultural roots, musical aspirations, and business acumen into one exciting project.

As a movie lover narrating this tale, let me rephrase it in first person: Initially, my plan hit an immediate snag with legal complications. The cops swooped in, confiscating all my gaming gear, claiming that gambling in Indian style was forbidden in Texas due to agreements between the state and recognized native tribes. But fortune favors the bold, as Redcorn managed to carve out an unforeseen route to triumph. He transformed his act for the Strickland Family Fun Day, making his songs kid-friendly to appeal to a wider audience. His remarkable talent didn’t go unnoticed, capturing the eye of a talent agent who offered him a legitimate contract and set him on a steady career path.

He converts his property into Redcorn’s Village, a family-friendly Indian settlement reminiscent of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. By playing the role of a nurturing, culturally rooted figure here, he has achieved a significant personal and professional milestone. This transformation demonstrates his knack for turning adversity into opportunities while staying true to his cultural roots.

8) “Gone With the Windstorm“ (Season 9, Episode 13)

In this installment, Nancy aggressively pursues reclaiming her weather-anchoring position from Irv Bennett on television. When Irv makes an error during a live broadcast, Nancy seizes the opportunity by tracking down a raging wildfire to capture exclusive footage, going as far as commandeering a news vehicle with Dale and Peggy for assistance.

This episode offers much more than just portraying Nancy as a mother or unfaithful spouse. Instead, it reveals Nancy as a dynamic, ambitious character who is driven by success. Her independence shines throughout the storyline, revealing a side of her we haven’t seen before. The show allows Nancy to step into the limelight as a fearless careerist willing to take chances.

9) “Hair Today, Gone Today“ (Season 11, Episode 10)

In this narrative, John Redcorn and Nancy are pivotal characters. The story opens with Nancy finding herself unexpectedly losing her hair, causing her great concern. Worried about her looks and well-being, she seeks advice from Dr. Stephens who proposes stress might be the culprit and recommends calming medication to ease her worries. This triggers Nancy to address her recent break-up with John Redcorn and the turmoil in her marriage with Dale. As Nancy struggles with these emotions, John Redcorn embarks on a new career as a children’s entertainer, performing at places like Captain Bear’s Pizza and the local zoo.

Regardless of how ordinary their professional interactions appear, seeing John Redcorn stirs up old emotions within Nancy, rekindling the romantic tension that still lingers between them. These meetings underscore the persistent emotional hold John has over Nancy, even as they both adapt to new personal situations. The points where Nancy interacts with John and Dale converge at the local zoo. Despite John’s continued charisma and creativity that initially attracted Nancy, it is Dale’s romantic gesture of taking off his hat in public and expressing his love that finally tips the balance for her.

10) “Vision Quest“ (Season 7, Episode 12)

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I find myself immersed in the story where John Redcorn, much like any concerned parent, is grappling with concerns about his son, Joseph’s upbringing. In due course, Hank extends an invitation for Joseph to partake in a traditional Native American “vision quest,” organized by none other than John himself.

However, the plot takes an unexpected turn as Dale makes an attempt to appropriate the sacred rite of passage, leading him to believe he shares Native American roots. In the midst of all this turmoil, John Redcorn subtly demonstrates his authority yet remains compassionate. He recognizes Joseph’s heritage and wishes to guide him spiritually, ensuring that his cultural identity remains strong and proud.

For John Redcorn, it’s another emotionally tough situation as he finds himself watching from the sidelines during his son’s upbringing due to being involved with someone else before. He holds no real power in Joseph’s life and must come to terms with the fact that his role is limited; at best, he can only serve as a mentor or advisor.

2025-08-27 00:57