"'Twas the Nut Before Christmas" is the ninety-second episode of King of the Hill. It first aired on December 17, 2000. The episode was written by John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, and directed by Jeff Myers.
Summary[]
When Bill prolongs the Christmas season, he finds himself the new guardian of a young hoodlum who starts causing problems for those around and takes advantage of Bill's willingness to overlook his actions.
Plot[]
Bill opens a Christmas village in his yard for the holiday and plays the neighborhood Santa after a visit to the post office inspires him to do more Christmas charity. Hank is relieved that Bill hasn't gone into another seasonal suicidal tailspin, as in "Pretty, Pretty Dresses." Bill is so entranced by the magic of the holiday that he keeps it going long after Christmas is over, even buying a giant Santa Claus Bounce for his Christmas village after New Year's Day. His Christmas spirit gets the attention of a single mother with two children, which would be a fantasy come true for Bill. However, the single mother, Marilyn, leaves Bill after feeling very uncomfortable with his continuation of his Christmas village and his Santa role even shortly before Valentine's Day.
He also gets the attention of a teenage slacker who plays on Bill's emotions. Bill sees him as a "wayward waif" and a surrogate son. It's clear to everyone else that the youth is using Bill for money, cigarettes and alcohol; this leads to Bobby, Connie and Joseph getting buzzed in the bounce house Bill set up. Bill however, refuses to believe this. The slacker, named Wally, also gave Bill a belt sander, which is soon revealed to have been stolen from Hank after the serial number matched that of his belt sander's insurance card. After Bill confronts Wally, Wally decides to leave, thinking that Bill has no faith in him. After he leaves, however, Wally is arrested after buying things with Bill's stolen credit card and stealing Bill's car. Bill eventually does come to his senses and convinces the Judge to have Wally enlisting in the army rather than send him to jail.
Characters[]
- Hank Hill
- Peggy Hill
- Bobby Hill
- Luanne Platter
- Dale Gribble
- Joseph Gribble
- Jeff Boomhauer
- Bill Dauterive
- Connie Souphanousinphone
- Wally
- Marilyn
- Sam
- Emma
- Arlen Midget
- Postal Worker
- Octavio (mentioned)
Stinger Quote[]
- Dale: "Valet of the Dales is not responsible for lost or stolen articles."
Goofs[]
- When Hank catches Bobby, Connie and Joseph drinking in the jumping house, he tells them to go home. In one shot, there is a basketball in front of the jumping house when the children are putting their shoes on, but when they walk away, it's mysteriously in Joseph's hands.
- When Hank is confronting Bill about Wally, Bill's gloves are red in one frame and pink in the rest.
Trivia[]
- The episode's title is a pun and a reference to the classic and beloved Christmas poem, "Twas' the Night Before Christmas."
- Hank had his belt sander warranty card in his pocket when he found it at Bill's. This implies Hank carries his warranty cards with him everywhere (and doesn't keep them in his wallet).
- This is the last episode to air in 2000.
- When Hank tries to place Wally under citizens arrest, he mentions having done it before, referencing him catching the truck thief in the episode "Jumpin' Crack Bass (It's a Gas, Gas, Gas)".
- When Hank catches Bobby drinking beer, Bobby exclaims, "Hey, Dad! I like beer!". This contradicts Bobby's distaste for beer back in the episode "The Wedding of Bobby Hill" when he was caught for co-hosting a party at Boomhauer's house.
- All of the blow molded decorations seen at Bill's house have real life counterparts.
- This is the last episode of the 20th century and the 2nd Millennium, future episodes would be aired in the 21st century until 2010.
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