It wasn't supposed to end like this, but somehow, it was perfect. When To Sirloin with Love aired in September 2009, fans of King of the Hill didn't just get another episode about propane and propane accessories. They got a masterclass in how to say goodbye without being cheesy. Most long-running sitcoms trip over their own feet at the finish line by doing something "huge"—think weddings, deaths, or everyone moving to Paris. Mike Judge and Greg Daniels didn't do that. They just let Hank and Bobby finally, after thirteen seasons, find the one thing they could both love. Meat.
Honestly, the episode almost didn't happen as the "final" finale. Due to some weird scheduling with FOX at the time, four episodes actually aired after this one in syndication. But To Sirloin with Love was written, produced, and intended to be the series finale. It’s the emotional heartbeat of Arlen, Texas. If you watch those "lost" episodes later, they feel like a weird dream because the narrative closure here is so absolute.
The Unexpected Genius of the Meat Judging Plot
The episode kicks off with Hank realizing Bobby has an freakish, almost savant-like ability to identify cuts of beef. It’s a classic King of the Hill setup. Bobby joins the Arlen High State Meat Inspection Team. For twelve years, we watched Hank Hill struggle with a son who liked prop comedy, troll dolls, and dancing. Bobby was "the boy who ain't right." Then, suddenly, he’s a prodigy in the one field Hank respects more than anything except maybe a well-manicured lawn.
It’s hilarious. But it’s also deeply moving.
When Bobby identifies a "pan-broiled chuck" from twenty paces, you see Hank's face do something it rarely does. It glows. This isn't just about steak; it's about the bridge between generations. The show spent over 250 episodes exploring the gap between a conservative, old-school Texan and his whimsical, modern son. In To Sirloin with Love, that gap vanishes. They aren't fighting. They aren't "Hwaaa-ing" at each other. They’re just two guys talking about marbling.
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Why the Animation Quality Spiked
You might notice if you re-watch it today that the episode looks crisp. Really crisp. The lighting during the final scene in the alleyway is warmer than usual. The team at Film Roman and Rough Draft Studios clearly put some extra love into the frames. There’s a specific shot of the grill where the smoke curls just right. It feels cinematic for a show that usually prides itself on being visually understated and flat.
The Side Plots That Actually Mattered
While Hank and Bobby are busy at the Panhandle State University meat-judging competition, the rest of the neighborhood gets their moment too. Lucky and Luanne—rest in peace to Tom Petty and Brittany Murphy—are moving into their own place. It’s a small detail, but it signals the end of an era. The Hill house won't be as crowded anymore.
Then you have Dale, Bill, and Boomhauer.
They’re doing exactly what they’ve always done. They’re obsessing over a mundane mystery. In this case, it’s Dale thinking he’s being stalked by a mysterious figure who turns out to be... well, just a guy. It’s a perfect microcosm of their friendship. They don't need growth. They are the static background radiation of Hank’s life. If they changed, the show would feel wrong.
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The Greatest Final Scene in Sitcom History?
Let’s talk about that last scene.
Hank and Bobby are out in the alley. The grill is hot. The neighborhood is gathered. For the first time, Hank hands Bobby the tongs. If you’ve followed the show since 1997, you know that’s basically the equivalent of a king handing over his crown. It’s a silent acknowledgement that Bobby is going to be okay. He’s not going to be a carbon copy of Hank—he’s still Bobby—but he has the foundation.
The camera pans out. We see Arlen. We see the water tower. We see the town continuing to exist. It’s not a "goodbye" to the characters so much as a "see you later."
Common Misconceptions About the Ending
A lot of people think the show was canceled because it was failing. That's not really the case. King of the Hill was still pulling decent numbers. FOX simply needed the timeslot for The Cleveland Show. Looking back, that feels like a massive tactical error by the network, but it gave us the gift of a planned ending.
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Another big myth? People think the "lost" episodes (like The Honeymooners) are the true ending because they aired later on Adult Swim. Nope. Those were holdover episodes. If you want the intended emotional payoff, To Sirloin with Love is the only way to go.
How to Revisit Arlen Today
If you're looking to dive back in, don't just jump to the finale. The show's brilliance is in the slow burn. Here is how you should actually approach a re-watch to make the finale hit harder:
- Watch "Pilot" (Season 1, Episode 1): See where the tension started. Look at how much angrier Hank was back then compared to the mellowed-out version in the finale.
- Watch "Bobby Goes Nuts" (Season 6, Episode 1): Remind yourself of just how "wrong" Bobby seemed to Hank's traditional sensibilities.
- Watch "The Order of the Straight Arrow" (Season 1, Episode 3): It sets up the generational legacy Hank so desperately wanted to pass down.
- Then, hit "To Sirloin with Love": Everything clicks.
The rumors of a revival on Hulu are real. Most of the original cast is returning, though obviously, it will be bittersweet without the voices of Luanne, Lucky, and Dale (Johnny Hardwick recorded some lines before his passing). Understanding the finality of the original run is essential before we see how an older Hank Hill deals with the 2020s.
Go back and watch that final grill scene. Notice how the music swells just a tiny bit as the charcoal smokes. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things—like a well-cooked steak and a conversation with your kid—are the only things that actually matter. Arlen didn't need a grand explosion or a series of shocking twists. It just needed a father and son finally speaking the same language.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the "deleted scenes" from the Season 13 DVD, which offer a few more glimpses into the meat-judging subplots that were trimmed for time.
- Track down the official King of the Hill cookbook if you want to try replicating the "7-Day Aged" steaks mentioned in the episode.
- Follow the official updates for the Hulu revival to see how they plan to bridge the gap from this finale to the new timeline.