Goodbye Normal Jeans (King of the Hill)

Goodbye Normal Jeans is the fourth episode of the seventh season of mh:besttvshows:King of the Hill. It was written by Kit Boss, directed by Kyounghee Lim and Boohwan Lim, and first aired on November 24, 2002.

Plot
Bobby chooses to take home economics in school, which causes Peggy to lose it even after originally being supportive of his decision when he turns out to be better at cooking and cleaning than she is. Meanwhile, Hank is left distraught after his favorite pair of jeans is destroyed in a washing machine accident.

Why It Sucks

 * 1) Peggy's behavior toward Bobby is absolutely inexcusable and showcases the absolute worst of her. She punishes her own son for doing useful work around the house, and even sabotages his attempt at Thanksgiving dinner by stealing and ruining his turkey, but the show expects the viewer to sympathize with her instead of him.
 * 2) Sexism that goes both ways: Hank, who previously stood up to his chauvinistic father in Season 1, is now telling Bobby that there is no purpose in him ever getting married if he knows how to cook and clean for himself, and Peggy goes further on board than Hank with the notion that males cannot do housework after she starts to feel threatened by Bobby.
 * 3) Hank learning a lesson after only being berated by someone he does not know seems very out of character for him.
 * 4) Peggy never gets any sort of comeuppance for what she does to Bobby.
 * 5) The subplot about Dale and Bill's million-dollar bet is forgettable filler.
 * 6) To add insult to injury for Bobby, the subplot comes into the main plot at the end with him ending up also owing Dale a million dollars along with Bill.

Redeeming Qualities

 * 1) The idea behind the episode was an interesting twist on Hank and Peggy's attitudes toward Bobby.
 * 2) The message on stereotypical gender roles is a good one, albeit very poorly executed.
 * 3) The episode contains a rare instance where Hank and Bobby get along well and even bond.

Reception
"Goodbye Normal Jeans" is #4 on The Mysterious Mr. Enter's Top 10 Worst Episodes of King of the Hill for being both "one of Peggy's worst appearances" and "those Simpsons-could-do-it plots."