King of the Hill Reboot Really Needed More Time With This New Character

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The latest season of *King of the Hill* premiered this summer, but it could have been even better if it had explored one of the new characters in more depth. This new season picks up nearly ten years after the original series, showing how Hank and the others have aged and adapted to changes in their lives. As they navigate these new stages, they also encounter a fresh cast of characters.

A major disappointment in the new *King of the Hill* series on Hulu was the rushed handling of Bobby Hill’s storyline. While it was interesting to see Bobby, now 21 and a chef in Dallas, change the most out of all the original characters and interact with the new cast, his relationship with his girlfriend, Willow, wasn’t developed enough. The show didn’t dedicate enough time to Willow, which could have helped make her a more well-rounded character before their breakup.

King of the Hill’s Reboot Needed More Time With Bobby’s Girlfriend

In Season 14 of *King of the Hill*, Bobby has matured significantly. He’s skipped college to pursue his passion for cooking, working as a chef at a restaurant primarily owned by Ted and Chane Wassanasong. He’s the driving force behind the restaurant’s daily operations, and it’s starting to gain a good reputation. This is how he meets Willow, who praises the quality of his cooking oil.

Their first meeting went really well because Bobby appreciates when people notice his dedication to his work. Willow quickly became an important person in his life, offering a different kind of connection than he had with Connie, and appearing when he really needed support. However, the show could have benefited from featuring her in more episodes throughout the season.

I have to say, Willow was such an interesting character, but it’s a shame she only appeared in two episodes! The show hinted that she played a bigger part in Bobby’s love life than we actually saw, and honestly, it felt like things moved *way* too fast with Connie. Because of that quick progression, Willow’s potential impact just kind of faded into the background, which was a real missed opportunity considering how captivating she was.

How Can King of the Hill Fix Willow?

It’s probably too late to even *think* about fixing that storyline now! Even if *King of the Hill* ever comes back, Bobby and Connie have already confirmed they’re a couple. You know, Willow was clearly brought in to be a potential love interest for Bobby *before* Connie, and to give Connie someone to react to when she saw them together. It’s just a shame they didn’t really get to explore that dynamic, since Willow’s time on the show was so short.

Saladin K. Patterson, the showrunner for the revived *King of the Hill*, shared that the shorter ten-episode season forced the writers to speed up character arcs. This likely explains why Willow’s role was smaller and more intense. Because we didn’t see much interaction between Willow and the other characters, her limited screen time needed to be impactful, making Bobby’s quick decision to end their relationship believable even after only one episode.

In Willow’s final scene, she unexpectedly defecates on a photo of Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. This bizarre exit is a stark contrast to her earlier appearance just one episode prior, where she was a supportive and emotionally aware character who seemed to be developing. The episode even began to hint at a deeper backstory, suggesting a larger role for her this season. Unfortunately, she’s written off before fully becoming a developed character, remaining largely defined by her past as an ‘ex-girlfriend’.

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2025-09-22 20:40