Dia-BILL-ic Shock
Encyclopedia
"Dia-BILL-ic Shock" is the season premiere of the 13th season of the Fox
animated series King of the Hill
, and the 236th episode overall. It originally aired on September 28, 2008, and is rated TV-PG L. The episode's title references the phrase 'diabetic shock'.
is diagnosed with diabetes. Hank
and the others express concern at this news, and Hank steps in to coach Bill in improving his diet. However, old habits die hard, and another binge (and subsequent collapse) lands Bill back in the hospital. There, a surly, egotistical and uncaring doctor, skeptical that Bill will ever change his habits for the better, tells him that his future will involve a slow death from the diabetes beginning with the loss of his legs, and advises Bill to get a wheelchair (which he really doesn’t need) while his insurance will still cover it.
Hank and the others are shocked and saddened when Bill returns to the alley in his wheelchair, and, believing this to be a permanent change, conspire to remodel Bill's house to make everything in it wheelchair-accessible and help him out however else they can. When Hank takes a downcast Bill to the park, Bill is befriended by a wheelchair rugby
player nicknamed Thunder, who teaches him that he can still be independent despite needing to use a wheelchair. After Thunder lends Bill his spare rugby chair, Bill takes to the court himself; over time he proves to be a competitive, capable player, and his depression turns to confident delight with his new upper-body strength. However, as the rugby players loudly celebrate one of their games at a bar one night, Bill tipsily excuses himself to use the restroom... and makes his way on foot, impeded only by the beers he'd had. When the other players indignantly protest Bill's 'deception', he attempts to explain that he has diabetes and whips out his blood glucose monitor - only to read normally, as all the exercise from playing rugby had reversed his condition.
Back at Bill's house, Hank, Dale
, and Boomhauer
are putting the finishing touches on a basketball court for Bill when Bill arrives, walking his own wheelchair in shame. The three are angered with him for having acted like he was handicapped, and, like the rugby players, refuse to speak to him further. Depressed anew at having alienated all of his friends, Bill begins eating spoonfuls of granulated sugar in an attempt to regain his diabetes. Hank arrives, accompanied by Thunder, and stops him from eating the sugar; Hank and Thunder explain that Bill is inspirational in simply having cured his diabetes on his own. Later, an angry Bill beats up the nasty and disrespectful doctor in his office, while Hank waits outside and reads a magazine.
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
animated series King of the Hill
King of the Hill
King of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
, and the 236th episode overall. It originally aired on September 28, 2008, and is rated TV-PG L. The episode's title references the phrase 'diabetic shock'.
Plot
After collapsing while bingeing on carnival junk-food, BillBill Dauterive
Bill Dauterive, born Gillaume Fontaine de la Tour D'Haute Rive is a fictional character on the Fox animated series King of the Hill...
is diagnosed with diabetes. Hank
Hank Hill
Henry Rutherford "Hank" Hill Age 50 animated series King of the Hill. Hank lives in Arlen, Texas and works at the fictional Strickland Propane selling propane and propane accessories. Hank's voice is provided by series creator Mike Judge. The Economist named Hank Hill as one of the wisest people...
and the others express concern at this news, and Hank steps in to coach Bill in improving his diet. However, old habits die hard, and another binge (and subsequent collapse) lands Bill back in the hospital. There, a surly, egotistical and uncaring doctor, skeptical that Bill will ever change his habits for the better, tells him that his future will involve a slow death from the diabetes beginning with the loss of his legs, and advises Bill to get a wheelchair (which he really doesn’t need) while his insurance will still cover it.
Hank and the others are shocked and saddened when Bill returns to the alley in his wheelchair, and, believing this to be a permanent change, conspire to remodel Bill's house to make everything in it wheelchair-accessible and help him out however else they can. When Hank takes a downcast Bill to the park, Bill is befriended by a wheelchair rugby
Wheelchair rugby
Wheelchair rugby, , is a team sport for athletes with a disability. It is currently practiced in over twenty countries around the world and is a Paralympic sport....
player nicknamed Thunder, who teaches him that he can still be independent despite needing to use a wheelchair. After Thunder lends Bill his spare rugby chair, Bill takes to the court himself; over time he proves to be a competitive, capable player, and his depression turns to confident delight with his new upper-body strength. However, as the rugby players loudly celebrate one of their games at a bar one night, Bill tipsily excuses himself to use the restroom... and makes his way on foot, impeded only by the beers he'd had. When the other players indignantly protest Bill's 'deception', he attempts to explain that he has diabetes and whips out his blood glucose monitor - only to read normally, as all the exercise from playing rugby had reversed his condition.
Back at Bill's house, Hank, Dale
Dale Gribble
Dale Alvin Gribble is a fictional character in the animated series King of the Hill. and is voiced by Johnny Hardwick . He is an exterminator, bounty hunter, smoker, gun fanatic, and paranoid believer of almost all conspiracy theories and urban legends...
, and Boomhauer
Boomhauer
Jeff Dexter Boomhauer III, almost always referred to as simply Boomhauer, is a fictional character in the animated series King of the Hill. The character is voiced by series creator Mike Judge, and is known for his nearly incomprehensible speech....
are putting the finishing touches on a basketball court for Bill when Bill arrives, walking his own wheelchair in shame. The three are angered with him for having acted like he was handicapped, and, like the rugby players, refuse to speak to him further. Depressed anew at having alienated all of his friends, Bill begins eating spoonfuls of granulated sugar in an attempt to regain his diabetes. Hank arrives, accompanied by Thunder, and stops him from eating the sugar; Hank and Thunder explain that Bill is inspirational in simply having cured his diabetes on his own. Later, an angry Bill beats up the nasty and disrespectful doctor in his office, while Hank waits outside and reads a magazine.
Trivia
- This episode features the song "I'm Shipping Up to BostonI'm Shipping Up to Boston"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is a song with lyrics written by the folk singer Woody Guthrie and music written and performed by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys. It appeared on their 2005 album, The Warrior's Code. An earlier recording of it can be found on the Hellcat Records compilation Give...
" by the Dropkick MurphysDropkick MurphysDropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
.