King of the Hill: Dale Might Discover Nancy’s Biggest Secret in New Revival

As a long-time fan of King of the Hill, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation about the upcoming revival series. The show has always been close to my heart, and Dale Gribble is one of my all-time favorite characters. His unique brand of paranoia and love for conspiracy theories has provided endless entertainment over the years.


The classic show King of the Hill is currently in development for a revival, and this time around we might discover that Dale Gribble wasn’t Joseph’s biological father after all. The original run of King of the Hill concluded in a near-perfect manner for an animated series, leaving few mysteries for the other characters while hinting at bright futures for them even though we wouldn’t be seeing more of their stories. With the return of King of the Hill with a new series, it seems inevitable that there will be some unexpected changes.

In the television series “King of the Hill,” Joseph’s lineage was a recurring subplot. It was hinted early on that while Dale deeply loved his wife and son, Joseph was actually the biological child of John Redcorn, a man with whom Nancy Gribble had multiple affairs. Remarkably, despite Dale’s general mistrust of people, he never questioned Joseph’s paternity, even when clear signs were present. However, with new episodes coming up, we might get to witness how Dale reacts to this revelation.

Will Dale Find Out About Joseph?

Based on reports from those working behind the scenes, it appears that the reboot of “King of the Hill” is set roughly a decade after the conclusion of the initial series. Consequently, this time jump implies that Joseph has aged over the past ten years, and John Redcorn might grow frustrated at not being as involved in his biological son’s life as he desires. This issue was a significant plot point in the original show regarding Dale and John, but they eventually forged a friendship that seemed to resolve their differences temporarily.

Ten years is a significant stretch, filled with numerous transformations for the show’s characters beyond mere aging. Joseph, who has consistently shown an innate curiosity about his differences from his parents, might have finally pieced together some answers as an adult. These developments could have occurred during the intervening years, setting the stage for the intriguing narratives unfolding in the upcoming series.

Why Dale Won’t Care

Regardless of whether Dale learns about Nancy’s infidelity or not, it won’t change the fact that he has been an exceptional father. Despite any feelings of betrayal, Dale’s love for his son remains unwavering. Throughout the original King of the Hill series, we have seen Dale exhibit this great fatherhood on multiple occasions, despite occasional disagreements with his son. Even when faced with the suggestion that Joseph may not be biologically his own, Dale stood firm.

In the sixth season’s episode titled “Of Mice and Little Green Men,” Dale faced the possibility that Joseph might not be his biological son. However, he expressed this doubt indirectly, as he suspected that aliens had fathered his wife’s child, with Hank being the one who stayed by his side throughout Joseph’s life. Hank reminded Dale of all the significant moments he had shared with Joseph, implying that he was indeed Joseph’s father. This reassurance helped Dale regain confidence and accept Joseph as his own. In a way that was characteristic of Dale, he even convinced himself that he must have been abducted and that those were the genes Nancy was carrying. Essentially, this scene portrays Dale resolving his doubts about the boy standing before him not being his son.

Regardless of whether or not he learns that Joseph isn’t biologically his own child, Dale has already come to terms with him as a son. He’s overcome his initial doubts, and his affection for Joseph remains unchanged. This revelation won’t affect his bond with Joseph, though it might reshape his relationships with Nancy and John Redcorn. Ultimately, Dale’s love for Joseph stays constant.

Dale Already Might Know, Anyway

It’s quite possible that Dale has figured out all this himself, as hinted by “Of Mice and Little Green Men” and some other clues. While Dale may appear oblivious at times, it’s suggested he might be aware of the truth but doesn’t openly admit it, adding to the tragic irony of his suspicions.

Two significant instances that underscore this idea are “Vision Quest” from Season 7 and the “Untitled Black McCormick Project” in Season 12. In the former, Dale interprets a vision suggesting that John Redcorn is Joseph’s biological father. The latter involves John Redcorn’s sudden appearance of a daughter who resembles Joseph, leading Dale to believe, albeit incorrectly, that he shares Joseph’s genetic lineage. These instances hint at a subconscious understanding in Dale that Joseph isn’t his biological offspring.

Although the return of “King of the Hill” could potentially be when Dale learns that Joseph isn’t his biological son, it’s not the first instance where he’s learned this truth. In fact, we’ve seen instances before where Dale confronted this reality but chose to ignore it. However, there seems to be a significant change in this revival, and unfortunately, it lies in the reduced role of Johnny Hardwick.

Johnny Hardwick, who voices Dale Gribble on King of the Hill, reportedly managed to record just a few episodes before his untimely death. If this significant event were to occur in the series, it might not be featured in one of these recorded episodes. If Dale is recast for future seasons, it could feel strange to explore such a story without the original actor who brought him to life. Navigating this delicate situation will undoubtedly be challenging, but the King of the Hill team seems well-equipped to handle the new revival with grace.

Read More

2024-10-31 03:09