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King of The Hill

How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying

Season 2, Episode 1, Aired Sep 21, 1997

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8.8

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Bobby discovers a talent for target shooting, Hank thinks this could be his chance to bond with his son. The only problem is that Hank can't shoot. Ashamed to admit that he can't use a gun properly, Hank refuses to enter the father-son fun-shoot with Bobby.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Wallace Shawn

Philip Ny
GUEST STAR
Angela Kinsey

Angela

Mike Judge

Voice of Hank Hill, Boomhauer
Kathy Najimy

Voice of Peggy Hill
Pamela Adlon

Voice of Bobby Hill
Brittany Murphy

Voice of Joseph Gribble, Luanne Platter
Johnny Hardwick

Voice of Dale Gribble
Stephen Root

Voice of Bill Dauterive

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Fan Episode Reviews (5)

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good

7.5

"Good"

By futuramarama, Nov 24, 2010

bobby discovers a talent for shooting targets and hank couldn't be happier. however hank soon learns he himself can't fire real well and he decides to not spend anymore time doing it with bobby. will they rekindle their father/son bonding?

good opener to the second season and an overall good episode. it is a little boring in parts but not too boring or anything. not really that funny but i did like the plot, even though some of it was rather boring, so i guess my overall grade for this episode would have to be somewhere in the "B" rangemoreless
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A solid piece of work.

9.0

"Superb"

By cactusjack39, Jan 27, 2009

This was more of an episode of the sentimental ilk. I enjoyed watching Bobby and Hank actually try to find something in common rather than to stink eye each other. I have to admit that this was an episode that was more story solid than funny. It had a few funny moments but the writing is what made this episode really worth watching. Bobby was the star of the show, but Hank was a good supporting actor in this one. I didn't think Bobby had a talent for anything, but I guess he's good at shooting targets. Overall, it made for a great episode. Thank you.moreless
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The title reminds me of a guidebook but also demonstrates the strength of family.

9.1

"Superb"

By number48, Mar 07, 2007

I remember first watching this episode back when I was learning much about guns and firing guns. I actually learned some of the vital imformation from what Bobby reviewed. This was a great episode that truly dived into the estranged relationship between Bobby Hill and his father Hank with the one thing that could heal their bond: guns and the father-son shooting contest. Priceless quote form the episode: When Bobby asks if he can put a gun rack on his bike, Hank responds, "Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to ask me that?"

I also couldn't help but feel sorry for Hank seeing as how he had to put up with the aggresive hate coming from his father Cotton (though Cotton is sometimes one of the funniest characters on the show) and how he was, in a sense, saved by his son. That was good.moreless
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Hank and Bobby really have nothing in common and this episode brings this to light more than ever. Hank loves his son, even though he never says it, and he wants to find something they can do together.moreless

9.8

"Superb"

By TasForMayor, Oct 01, 2006

This episode starts out at the Texas State Fair and the Hill Family is out for fun. We watch as Bobby makes his way through all the games of chance until he finds one that really suites his natural talent; he's a really good shot with a rifle.

**SPOILERS**

Hank has a secret; it's one of those childhood horror stories about being raised by evil old Cotton Hill. Cotton is shown in a flashback, heckling and verbally assaulting an abviously Pre-K Hank as he tries learn to shoot a rifle. Cotton says he'll NEVER be a war hero if he continues this bad performance; Hank has never gotten over the trauma of being yelled at and not being able to hold the gun steady. Another flashback shows Cotton singling Hank out in front of his boyscout troop at another youthful rifle shoot. Later in the episode, a sports psychologist first watches then approaches Hank about his obvious problem on the shooting range, and none too soon; Bobby has signed them up for a Father-Son Fun Shooting competition. When Hand confesses this weakness to Peggy, she seems really devastated by this revelation; she based her relationship with Hank partly on the basis that he's a gun enthusiast. Tune in for a laugh-a-thon.moreless
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A classic episode to kick off the second season!

9.3

"Superb"

By count-chocula, Sep 01, 2006

An enjoyable start to the second season with Hank & Bobby going shooting! To add to this one of my favourite actress' guest stars - Angela Kinsey!

Some great lines in this about guns being the meaning of life, guns keeping families together and in general just guns been great! Very controversial episode due to this - but enjoyable all the same!

A great quote by Dale in this episode:

Hank: Dale, the NRA is a Washington DC Based operation - you telling me you support something from Washington DC???
Dale: That's a thinker?

Makes me laugh every time I hear it!

All-in-all a great episode to start the season! Although I would have liked some more air time for Angela Kinseymoreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- To help himself hit the target, Hank suggests visualizing a "McDonnell Douglas L-1011". The L-1011 was manufactured by Lockheed, not McDonnell Douglas
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QUOTES (14)
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- Hank: I never get to bond with Bobby on account of he's not good at much
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- Hank: The boy shows a real talent for shooting, Peggy. This could be his sport! We should get him a rifle- Peggy: He's too young Hank: He's 12. He hasn't been too young for 5 years!
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- Bobby: Can I keep my new gun in my room? Hank: Sure. Bobby: Can I keep the bullets in my pocket? Hank: If you want. Bobby: Can I put a gun rack on my bike. (Hank stops, looks at Bobby and pauses) Hank: Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to ask me that?
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- Cotton: (to Hank and other boys in flashback) Someday soon, all of you will be drafted in a war. Some of you, like Hank, will be killed. Others can shoot and they become war heroes. Now, commence to firing!
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- Cotton: Sorry I'm late. I had to stop by the wax museum again and give the finger to FDR.
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- Hank: Look at that, we're in second place. Luanne: Good news! The McKays just came out of The Gauntlet, and the younger one blew away an entire picnicking family!
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- (Announcer at shooting tournament) Announcer: The format for today is the same as last year: Start with the tandem shoot, then the quick draw, followed by the pretend-to-be-sleeping-grab-the-loaded-gun-under-the-bed-and-shoot-a-figure-in-the-shadows...
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- Sports Psychologist: Imagine the dart flying from your gun to the target. Don't pull the trigger until you can see it. Hank: (while aiming, has flashback of a menacing Cotton) (Shaking) Huh, whenever I start to shoot -- even aim -- I, I remember me as a boy, My Dad behind me yelling, and I always let him down. I was so scared of... Sports Psychologist: Hank please, you're wasting valuable session time.
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- Hank: Some times people choke, Bobby. We just gotta be proud that God took the time to give us a fault.
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- Bobby: Then why doesn't he want to shoot with me in the tournament? Is he afraid I'm gonna embarrass him? Peggy: Well... it must be, because he loves guns.
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- Boomhauer: I tell you what man, that dang ole NRA's our rights man. The, the insurance together with dismemberment mie like that. You get like 20-thousand dollars just for beh, your arm blows off, man.
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- Dale: Let me ask you this: A guy breaks into your house, but you don't have a gun. How are you going to shoot him?
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- Dale: Guns don't kill people, the government does.
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- Hank: The NRA is a Washington, D.C. based organization. Are you telling me you support Washington D.C.? (Everyone looks at Dale) Dale: That's a thinker.
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NOTES (3)
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- Starting in season 2, supervising director Wes Archer created new model sheets for most of the main characters. Hank in particular had his design simplified and streamlined, as did Peggy.
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- Beginning with the second season, almost every episode's credits end with a brief audio clip from the episode (the "tag line") played over the production-company logo.
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- Tagline: "I want my binky back." - Young Hank
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- The episode title alludes to the book and musical play How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Bobby Hill finds that he's a great success at rifle shooting much to his father's surprise and initial pleasure.
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- Bobby: (with ping pong balls in his mouth) Look Dad! I'm the Commish! Bobby is imitating Michael Chiklis who starred as Tony Scali on The Commish which ran from 1991-1995.
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