King of the Hill

From quite a time, I was a loyal viewer of King of the Hill. Then, after it left the air, it (continued) aired as reruns on syndicated channels. 

I'll be posting my list of favorite episodes but first I would like to discuss its revival while weaving the original run in. Before I continue, here's the lowdown: the series follow Hank Hill and his family, wife Peggy and son Bobby. He worked (now retired) as a propane and propane accessories salesman; Peggy is a retired school substitute teacher, and Bobby was a student, now chef. There were also his friends: Dale, Bill, and Boomhauer. Boomhauer was a single man who dated left, right, and center, and now has a live in girlfriend with a son, Luke Jr. Bill was a barber for the Army, divorced from Lenore, and has a crush on Peggy. Dale is an exterminator, married to former weather/news anchor now real estate sales Nancy and a son Joseph .... except Joseph isn't his .... he's the biological son of Native American John Redcorn. John Redcorn and Nancy had a very long affair that was known to neighbors but not Dale, who, ironically is a conspiracy theorist while blind and oblivious to the fact that Joseph isn't his son. Nancy did break up with John Redcorn to be faithful to Dale; but that didn't last as they eventually resumed their affair - or at least that's what implied. However, I do have my doubts on that. In the earlier seasons when Nancy and John Redcorn were deep into their 14 year affair, Nancy was rather disgusted by Dale in a sexual way. As she said in an episode that Peggy realized the truth, Nancy loved Dale in the "lights on" sort of way. When we get to season 4's Nancy's Boys where Nancy realized she had it good with Dale. So, in the revival, when Nancy and John Redcorn arrived, Nancy gave Dale a juicy smooch and was rather affectionate with her husband... When she was having an affair, Nancy was the opposite. So, I am iffy on this now. 

while the Hill family were living in Saudi Arabia. There's also Laotian neighbors next door, Khan and Minh (now divorced) with a daughter, Connie, who has an on-and-off relationship with Bobby. On the original series, Hank worked at Strickland Propane but (after the series originally ended) left for another position in Saudi Arabia with a good retirement plan. 

After the series ended, some prominent voice actors have passed away: Brittany Murphy (Luanne, Peggy's niece who lived in after her trailer was knocked over and was literally abandoned by her parents despite being a young college adult), Tom Petty (Luanne's husband), Dennis Burkley (Principal Moss).... When the revival news happened, the original voices signed on: Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Johnny Hardwick, Stephen Root, Toby Huss, Lauren Tom, Ashley Gardner, and Jonathan Joss. 

Unfortunately, several months after the announcement of the King of the Hill revival, Johnny Hardwick passed away, found in August of 2023. Police came to his house on a welfare check and found him dead in the bathtub - he was already too decomposed that they don't know the cause of death (although there's talk he had throat cancer but wouldn't that be on his autopsy? The cause was undetermined). In the revival, you can tell his voice does sound different, slower, dimmer than the original run - sure it's years passed - they aged all characters and voices do alter a bit and because Johnny was a smoker like Dale is, it affected his voice... Honestly there were moments in episodes 1-7 I thought it was mostly Toby's work than Johnny as a fill in for any changes before he fully took over after episode 7. Yes, Toby did some fill ins for Johnny, but it was indeed Johnny, sadly we are listening to a dying man.... Anyway, luckily, Johnny did manage to record 6 out of 10 episodes of the revival before being replaced by Toby. Johnny was not only a voice actor (of Dale), but also producer and writer for the show. In those 7 episodes I am glad Johnny got to be Dale, saying Wingo!, Sha-sha-sha!, had a moment with Joseph, Nancy, being an eccentric exterminator, paired up with Bill over spying on Hank during his conspiracy theory that Saudi Arabia made Hank into a spy and liking soccer, and, in his last fully recorded episode, paired up with Peggy and her own shenanigans. 

Another loss was this year (2025) with Jonathan Joss, who voiced John Redcorn. He was recently killed in a hate crime by a neighbor who was against gay community. His home was loss in arson a few months before his death - such a tragedy.

Here are my top 50 favorite episodes of King of the Hill (in no particular order, only listed by memory):

1. Propane Boom II: Death of a Propane Salesman

a follow up opener from the previous season finale episode. The aftermath from the Mega-Lo Mart explosion that killed Luanne's boyfriend Buckley. A few other significance were Luanne becoming bald after losing her hair due to the explosion and Hank's PTSD from being around his flammable beloved Propane. 

2. A Firefighting We Will Go

Too many hilarious things from this one! Hank, Bill, Dale, and Boomhauer were Firemen volunteers and were squabbling away, getting into trouble because of it. They offered their own version of events: Dale with long hair, tall, and muscular; Bill overweight and eating; Boomhauer talking very clearly while everyone else spoke gibberish as he normally would. Chet's funeral they acted as pallbearers but ended up tripping into the grave.... too, too funny! 

3. The Wedding of Bobby Hill

Luanne and Bobby, despite being cousins, acted like siblings in this episode, with pranks that went too far enough for Hank and Peggy to get involved to give them a taste of their own medicine.

4. Sleight of Hank

The gang went to a magic show for Nancy's birthday party with Peggy as a volunteer. assistant where she got into a box and magically disappeared, returning to her seat. At first Hank was unimpressed and not interested, fake fake fake.... until Peggy as magic trick. He then became obsessed with trying to know how that magic trick did its trick.

5. Naked Ambition

One of the best! It was definitely an ensemble episode where just about everyone had their part. During a neighbor picnic outing at a lake, Bobby accidentally sees Luanne naked (ended up twice) much to Joseph's envy. Boomhauer fell asleep while relaxing on a tube and floated through the rivers and canals of Texas. When he woke up and was disoriented, Boomhauer found himself in an insane asylum. He called Dale, who snuck in as a mental patient himself to get Boomhauer out. That didn't work well, so they called Bill and neither wanted to tell Hank. Bill instead volunteered to admit himself and fitted in. Eventually Hank got wind of it after their escape attempt failed. 

6. Nancy's Boys

Nancy breaks up with John Redcorn to be a more dedicated wife to Dale.

7. Twas the Nut Before Christmas

This was a great Bill episode where he was trying to impress a single mother of two that got disgusted and worried about him leaving the Christmas decorations up for months. He then becomes a surrogate dad to this young adult drifter. I think Bill really wanted to be a father to somebody.

8. Hank and the Great Glass Elevator

Hank embarrassed himself over mooning (a prank by the fellows) on a see through glass elevator, and Governor Ann Richards saw it. Bill charms and dated the Governor. Meanwhile Peggy and Bobby secretly enjoyed charcoal grilled burgers.

9. The Exterminator

After being exposed to his bug extermination potion for many a year, Dale had to (temporary) step down and get a normal 9-to-5 job. Lisa Kudrow guest stars as Dale's boss.

10. Bobby Goes Nuts

That's my purse, I don't know you! *kick right in the groin*. Enough said.

11. Lupe's Revenge

The scene in Mexican court where Peggy proves she doesn't know or speak Spanish correctly as she thought she does.... Classic! 

12. Of Mice and Little Green Men

A father and son episode of Dale and Joseph. Dale knew full well that Joseph isn't his biological son - but still in denial that its John Redcorn. Instead, Dale believed it was an alien. However, it only proves that Dale and Joseph are tightly bonded as father and son, and Joseph concluded that the aliens extracted Dale's DNA and fertilized into Nancy, therefore Joseph is his "biological" son.

Let me just say that, yes, John Redcorn was obviously Joseph's biological father and always a long running joke. That being said, since the moment of birth, Dale was always there for Joseph: tackling the Father duties and created a bond. Meanwhile, Joseph absorbed Dale into his persona; Joseph sees  himself as a white man, and John Redcorn always had a hard time getting through to Joseph while Dale could. In the revival, John Redcorn is at the point of calling Joseph "Young Gribble" (while still yearning a father's on bond). 

13. Beer and Loathing

Peggy gets a job in Alamo Beer and was privy to their secrets, bonded by secrecy contract. Hank wanted to know why getting sick from a tainted beer but Peggy couldn't tell. Instead, she hatched a grand scheme of revenge on the board responsible.

14. Goodbye Normal Jeans

Mother vs. son type episode where Peggy gets jealous of Bobby taking an interest in cooking after taking Home Economics.

15. The Texas Skillsaw Massacre

Due to Dale's underground tunnel, the floor in the Hill residence collapsed. The Hill family had to stay with Dale and Nancy. Wouldn't take long for Dale to get on Hank's nerves - a lawsuit and restraining order happened. 

16. Be True to Your Fool

The men got lice - thanks to Bill. And Peggy discovered a tattoo on Hank's head that he got one drunken night for Bill when he was deporting with the Army.

17. Night and Deity

The tables have turned when Dale becomes admittedly attracted to a female exterminator and Nancy gets jealous, fearing a result happened to her with John Redcorn. However, Dale never cheated.

18. Maid in Arlen

Bill falls for Kahn's mother.

 

19. The Incredible Hank

Peggy snuck in testosterone pills in Hank's food, giving him a burst of energy until he gets too aggressive for everyone.

20. Livin' on Reds, Vitamin C and Propane

Hank and Bobby were living it up as truckers while delivering furniture to his mother in Arizona. Despite not being invited, Dale, Bill, and Boomhauer stowaway for the ride. Meanwhile Peggy and Luanne co-wrote a Christmas song while Nancy didn't know where her husband was.

21. My Hair Lady

Luanne and Bill teamed up to cut hair; Bill had to pretend to be gay.

22. Gone with the Windstorm

Nancy was feeling the heat of being an older news anchor when Luanne filled in as weather girl. The news station began to push Nancy away until she, Dale, and Peggy stole a news van to cover the fires. 

23. It Ain't Over 'til the Fat Neighbor Sings

Bill joined in on a singing choir group, a cappella kind. It took a good chunk of his time of missing work and not being in the alley as much. 

24. Hank's on Board

Dale and Boomhauer tried to sneak off on a fishing trip but were caught. Hank thought Dale and Boomhauer were avoiding Bill, but it turned out to be Hank. Peggy encouraged Hank to loosen up and have fun. Sure enough, without his bossy parental leadership, chaos ensued.

25. Church Hopping

Hank decided to change churches after being upset by a new family taking over their regular pew. However, their brand new church (bigger and fancier) demanded their time - not just service, but any fixings to their problems. Eventually Hank had enough (and Peggy drove the church administration crazy) and went back to his old church.

26. Hank Gets Dusted

Hank's cousin Dusty Hill comes to visit with his band ZZ Top. Chaos and temper flies around in hilarity. My favorite part is where Dusty was spinning Bobby around like a guitar - only in cartoon world you can do that!

27. The Passion of Dauterive

After a near death experience when his roof collapsed on his bed (Bill was sleeping on the couch), he spent time in church and got into a romantic relationship with Reverend Stroup.

28. Grand Theft Arlen

Hank gets drawn into the video game world.

29. Peggy's Gone to Pots

Peggy gets sucked into a ponzie scheme while Dale gets confronted (and cowardly runs away from) the real Rusty Shackleford). Peggy and Dale soon teamed up to get rid of their problems. 

30. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Nancy's hair is falling easily due to hereditary. The only way to keep her hair would've been rekindling her affair with John Redcorn. Or get a wig. Nancy seriously reconsider to rekindling as Dale was going through a mind trip of his own. However, Dale unknowingly stopped Nancy's reconsideration wooing her that he only wanted to be with her when the World comes to the end. Nancy ended up getting a wig.

31. Bill, Bulk and the Body Buddies

Bill gets exercising equipment and became his street's neighborhood gym so he could be fit for the Army's physical. However, Bill got swept away by heavy lifting with these bulky men and freaked out the neighbors.

32. Four Wave Intersection

It's Summer, the kids were forced out from a water park by young adults and Bill enjoyed the attention of being a highway waver.

33. The Minh Who Knew Too Much

Minh joins Dale's gun club to practice skeet shooting in order to join the Nine Rivers Club that she and Kahn have been desperately trying to join since they moved to town. However, deep down, Minh bonded with the gun club rednecks and it's a rare episode of Minh and Dale teaming up together in an episode.

34. Trans-Fascism

After complaints from outsiders about trans fat in foods, a ban was issued. However, Buck, with his restaurant Sugarfoot's shut down for their mostly fried foods menu, enlisted a food truck to secretly serve the banned products around town.

35. Untitled Blake McCormick Project/Three Men and a Bastard

Bill got a new girlfriend with two children - one of whom caught Dale's attention. Kate's mannerisms and facial features reminded him so much of Joseph and he did a DNA test, discovering that Joseph and Kate are biological brother and sister - therefore his daughter .... Well, John Redcorn's daughter. 

36. Strangeness on a Train

Peggy, who has a history of birthdays gone wrong, had a mystery whodunit back in the 1970s on a train. Sounds exciting, right? Well, Luanne was chosen to be part of the cast but quickly spoiled the answer.... Whoops, party ruined and they were stuck on a train until eventually being kicked out. They came across a rundown tough bar who welcomed them in. It's worth mentioning that Hank and Peggy did it on the train; their afterglow was ruined when Kahn discovered feet marks on the mirror.

37. It Came from the Garage

Apparently Hank is afraid of bats.

38. Dia-BILL-ic Shock

A rather arrogant Doctor told Bill that he's in danger with diabetes and could very well lose his legs, get a wheelchair. Bill pretty much gave up on life, typical, and let it be bygones. But Bill came across a man in a wheelchair who played a rough game of rugby and refused to let his handicap get in the way. Bill got inspired until he got up and realized his blood sugar was normal. Probably one of the few episodes where Dale is nice to Bill, not insulting him.

39. Square-Footed Monster

After a neighbor passed away, a relative "hired" Hank, Dale, Bill, and Boomhauer to fix up her house to sell. The seller turned out to be Ted Wassanasong, much to Kahn's delight. However, Ted had the house torn down and replaced it with a mansion, which was poorly built with cheap materials and overtook the property with no lawn. During a bad storm, the mansion had put both Bill's and Luanne's houses in danger, resulting self defense take down of the mansion. 

40. Lost in MySpace

The rise of social media, starting with MySpace, had Strickland Propane to step it up to keep with the times after seeing their rival gain their customers. Donna the accountant was in charge and got it over her head of power after Buck promoting her as Assistant Manager but Hank fired her. Donna took over the MySpace page as she knew the password and changed the look to bad, trying to take down Strickland. 

41. What Happens at the National Propane Gas Convention in Memphis Stays at the National Propane Gas Convention in Memphis

Buck and Hank go to a convention dedicated to propane where a special award would be given out. But, Buck found an illegitimate son who was just like him and they constantly partied, much to Hank's dismay.

42. Nancy Does Dallas

Nancy got offered a big deal news anchor job at Dallas only except she let the deceiving power to her ego and head until it backfired on her (being drunk at a parade and falling over). Although Dale was nuts in his own right, it was concluded that Nancy needed Dale more than Dale needed Nancy over their mental stability as Dale's schinenigans keep Nancy busy than to focus on her own schinenigans.

43. Serves Me Right for Giving General George S. Patton the Bathroom Key

Hank turns out to be an Executive of Cotton's Will and had to live out Cotton as last To Do List, including dumping his ashes in the toilet used by General George S. Patton. Meanwhile, Bill and Dale fight over Dale's beer can left on Bill's lawn - my favorite part of the show.

44. Bill Gathers Moss

After enjoying roommates on sitcoms, Bill decided to get a roommate himself. At the same time, it's discovered that Principle Moss (who grew up with Hank, Bill, Dale, and Boomhauer) was living at the elementary school after his wife kicked him out. The roommate situation didn't work out as Principal Moss charmed another roommate Bill wanted to move in and they got into questionable business of mocked designer brands. Eventually Bill decided having roommates aren't for him and embraced living alone.

45. To Sirloin with Love

Hank and Bobby bond over Bobby's love for steak, knowing what part is what. He joined a team to observe a carcass. Bobby was tempted to quit due to the up-tightness of the team but Hank wasn't pleased (until he eventually saw himself why Bobby wanted to quit).

46. The Beer Story

Hank and Bobby at first were to enter a beer tasting contest together but due to their differences, they ended up parting and entering on their own. I love the scenes of Dale being annoyed Peggy in the alley, Minh's joke being backfired (talking about beer in the alley), a wink & a nod of Nancy's affair with John Redcorn, and Dale and Joseph being father and son in their actions to sabotage the contest to tip to one's side. In remembrance to Tom Petty, they used his song Running Down the Dream. 

47. Keeping Up with Our Joneses

Bobby was caught with a cigarette and Hank forced him to smoke a whole pack. However, Hank and Peggy, who loved smoking in the past and gave it up around the time they had Bobby, also got sucked into it. During a bad thunderstorm and Luanne's determination to help Hank, Peggy, and Bobby to withdraw.

48. Any Given Hill-Day

Johnny Hardwick's last episode. Another Peggy-Dale team up in shenanigans over bringing the community together by setting up a little book nook of books she found at a yard sale.... Only except they had bed bugs in them and therefore people weren't pleased with Peggy.

49. No Hank Left Behind

All of Cotton's three sons were at the lawyer's office and Didi wants Hank to be a male influence for GH (Good Hank). Despite his objections, Hank relented. Meanwhile Peggy injured her knee and stayed with Bobby in Dallas to have a MRI. Peggy gets claustrophobic/panic attack.

50. King of the Ant Hill

Back in the first season, Hank was disappointed by Dale's bug killing chemicals affecting his beloved lawn. He 'fired' Dale and went another direction to care for his yard. Dale wasn't pleased so he sent his ants to destroy the new yard makeover.

Favorite and Fascinating Well-known Couples

Here are my list of celebrity couples that were interesting, fascinated, and supported over the years… (in no particular order other than what came to me while making up the list)

Entertainment Showbiz

1. Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee
2. Sonny and Cher
3. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
4. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks
5. John Travolta and Diana Hyland
6. John Travolta and Kelly Preston
7. Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall
8. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
9. Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann
10. Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay
11. Micky Dolenz and Samantha Juste
12. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
13. Carole Lombard and Clark Gable
14. Carole Lombard and William Powell
15. Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin
16. Nikki Sixx and Brandi Brandt
17. Nikki Sixx and Donna D’Errico
18. Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear
19. Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio
20. Sean Penn and Madonna
21. Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood
22. Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh
23. John Ritter and Nancy Morgan
24. John Ritter and Amy Yasbeck
25. Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love
26. Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher
27. Barbara Eden and Michael Ansara
28. Keith Moon and Kim Kerrigan
29. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis
30. Bobby Flay and Stephanie March
31. Todd Thompson and Giada de Laurentiis
32. Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley
33. Billy Joel and Katie Lee
34. Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley
35. Danny Keough and Lisa Marie Presley
36. Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd
37. Christopher Meloni and Sherman Williams
38. Mick Fleetwood and Jenny Boyd
39. Bobby Flay and Stephanie March
40. Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles

Historical

1. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow
2. King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn
3. James and Dollie Madison

My Top 15 Favorite Elliot & Kathy Stabler Episodes

Original Source

1. Gray

It took 12 seasons to finally find out how Elliot and Kathy met. It's unclear what exactly where they were: the episode was based in college so it's naturally assumed that they met while in college. However, previous episodes indicated that Elliot and Kathy knew each other as high school teenagers. So, the best theory is that high schoolers Elliot and Kathy went to a college party- maybe a mutual friend, a sibling in college, or crashing or maybe a regular party- they were instantly attracted to one another but were nervous enough to use alcohol as a confidence boost… one thing led to another and wa-la (possible to conceive Maureen that night, but there was no mention of it in this episode). I wish more details on Elliot and Kathy's love story have more detail but it is what it is. Well, either way, Elliot thought that his meeting Kathy was a romantic memory. I can live with that! It did have Elliot thinking more closely about it, maybe comparing his case to his own experience. Kathy told him that although drunk, she knew exactly what she was doing  and didn't appear to have any regrets of what happened. After all, they’ve been married for 26 years and have 5 children!

I especially love when Elliot got up from his chair and went over to Kathy to kiss her during their personal revelations: Kathy wanted to go to Elliot to kiss him but was too scared… apparently Elliot would've welcomed a kiss from a stranger. Meanwhile, it took Elliot three beers to work up a nerve to say hello. Twenty-six plus years later, Elliot, this time sober (he hadn't yet drank the glass of wine Kathy poured him a few minutes before), went over to Kathy to say hello before kissing her. I genuinely think that the kiss (or make-out) would've lasted much longer if that darn Kathleen hadn't come in to interrupt them! I love the way Elliot looked at Kathy during this particular scene- his eyes were full of love and happiness to be with her.

Later, while trying to get ADA Sonya Paxton to not let Kathleen to testify on how she got their suspect’s disciplinary file due to aftermath consequences, Elliot had no intentions of protecting this guy for the risk of his job. He needs to feed his wife and family.

2. Countdown

This episode has been my number 1 favorite for a long time until Gray aired (Countdown in season 2, Gray in season 12- 10 years). For me, it had all the sweet affectionate points:

1) I love yous

2) endearment nick name

3) happy to see and be with another despite the 2 seconds

4) kiss (on the cheek, twice of hello and goodbye)

5) a hug

It was the twins’ birthday and Elliot wasn't able to buy them a present because of a case. To enable for Elliot to at least see the twins on their birthday, Kathy took them to the precinct. Elliot was tired, grumpy, and snipping at Olivia; when he saw Kathy, Dickie, and Elizabeth, his face brighten. At the vending machines, Elliot sent the twins to see Munch while he spent a few moments alone with Kathy. There was also a moment where after they hugged, they looked at each other in silence after sighing, staring into each other's eyes lovingly with small smiles. One of those little sunshine moments in Elliot's dark day.

3. Turmoil

Kathy appeared in three scenes and they were all stand-outs.

In the very first scene Elliot comes in the kitchen while Dickie (who is almost late for school) was drinking milk, Kathy was with Eli munching on breakfast treats. While passing by to the refrigerator for orange juice (the Stabler guys really like drinking from the carton), Elliot touched Kathy's back with smiles to her and Eli. Then he and Dickie got into it over his troubled best friend Shane- Kathy was in her own little world with Eli with her ears listening in. Sadly, this is the only time Eli shared a scene with one of his older siblings and there was barely any interaction (but that doesn't mean anything serious) other than Eli watching his dad and brother talk. The only other close call was in Alternate when Kathy was pregnant with him and with Kathleen… Anyway, Dickie had to go to school and Elliot had to go to Court.

After court, Elliot and Olivia went to work but Cragen was there to tell Elliot that since his phone was off at court, Kathy called him with news that his son was missing. Elliot's first thought was Eli but it was Dickie. He rushed home. Kathy already had a detective waiting and was frantically worried. I did like how Elliot touched Kathy's shoulders. Elliot thought that Dickie and Shane were skipping school and joyriding so he wasn't as worried about it. Surely, Kathy must've skipped school in her day, especially sneaking out of the house in the wee hours as it was somewhat admitted in Sophomore Jinx. Or maybe Kathy panicked because of her mother instincts told her something was wrong with her son? She was right though: Dickie, or Richard as he thankfully wanted to be called, was worried about Shane and was out looking for him. As the story unfolded (lasted 2 days), Richard and Shane planned to sign up for the Buddy system in the Army- they thought it would help Shane's reputation from a druggie to a responsible young man. Shane instead encountered with his friend who was homeless and desperately looking for drugs. When Shane failed to get the money out, he was killed. Richard found the homeless man the following morning, beating him up and demanding to know what happened to Shane. Richard was angry at his dad; in previous episodes, he looked at Elliot as his hero, they had a close relationship. But then Shane showed up and Elliot was very vocal of his disapproval. Also, Richard found that having a father as a cop was not easy and it was difficult to make friends. There was a moment where you would have to look at Elliot's face really closely: Richard made a dig about not being the first Stabler to have lost their mind, it provoked Elliot to shove Richard to the wall. You could see anger, and then once he realized what he had done, Elliot's face quickly changed to instant regret, an “Oh my God, what have I done?” It wouldn't surprise me if his own father had done that to him. Kathy came rushing in. She was concerned, not mad at all that Elliot shoved Richard to the wall- maybe it was the look on his face? Or maybe she knew the complicated relationship between Elliot's father and him? As well with Elliot and Dickie? Regardless, Kathy subtly calmed down Elliot and had a protective arm around Richard, who was literally carrying her off to leave. Later, on the phone, Elliot wanted Kathy to put Richard on the phone but no go. Richard refused.

At the end, Richard spent another night away from home (where did he go? To Maureen's? Kathleen's dorm?) and came home, obviously devastated by his best friend's death. He wanted to go ahead and join the Army, have Elliot sign him in so they wouldn't see each other again. But Elliot said no. Richard can hate Elliot all he wanted but Elliot wasn't going to let Richard go. It was painfully lovely.

4. Paternity

The monumental episode where Elliot and Kathy welcomed their fifth child, Elliot, Jr. The birth itself wasn't just that big ta-da, it also featured the car accident that triggered the birth with Olivia there. I suppose it cemented the roles of Elliot's women in his life at the time: Kathy his wife and Olivia his partner, aka office wife. The accident created a strong bond between the two women. There was never really a problem between them before the accident, no cross words or insults, although Kathy was admittedly worried that Elliot would fall in love with Olivia and maybe was slightly envious over their bond. But Olivia always respected Elliot's marriage and she did seem to like Kathy. She was genuinely surprised and shocked by the news of separation and divorce. Anyway, in the first half of the episode, there's a scene in Elliot and Kathy's bedroom where his mind was elsewhere while settling in while Kathy was talking to him. He was wondering if Kathy was carrying his child… or not? Honestly, Elliot's timing sucked. I can totally understand his questioning, after all, when the baby was conceived they were still technically separated; we also have no idea what Kathy was doing while separated. But if I had been in Elliot's position, I would've asked the biological father possibility around the time when Kathy told Elliot she was pregnant. Not when she's about to pop! In fact, he had several chances of questioning the paternity several times since his job faced a number of infidelity and paternity DNA cases. Not the best husband moment for Elliot, in my opinion. Another not-so-great husband move Elliot made was that he forgot about Kathy's OB/GYN appointment when he went after a suicidal murderer until Olivia reminded him. Olivia volunteered and off he went. Kathy didn't seem to mind, of course a recurring job hazard in their marriage, but still… Elliot was way too dedicated to his job. At least, after hearing about the accident, Elliot immediately rushed over. He called Kathy through Cragen’s phone (I guess both Olivia and Kathy's phones were unreachable) who was in labor that he will be with her soon and that he loved her. Kathy gave birth in the ambulance and for the grand drama effect, she went unconscious with her heart stopping. At the hospital, Kathy was fine, sitting up in bed, and holding her baby when Elliot arrived. He went straight to her room, practically ignoring Olivia's presence other than quietly noticing the blood on her shirt. Elliot and Kathy shared a tender moment with their foreheads touching, eyes closed… why? Why not a kiss? I could accept no hugging- she was holding the baby and could've been in slight pain due to the car accident, giving birth, and almost dying. They were a kissy-kind of couple but this time around, no kiss to celebrate a birth of a baby, Kathy surviving an accident, and Elliot's arrival. Although I did thought the heads touch was sweet but it would've been more special with a kiss included. Then Elliot met the baby, holding him for the first time with a big touching smile on his face. Kathy then told Elliot that he was the father, answering his question from the previous night- he knew. Probably had a good thought process over it during his travel back to Kathy. While leaving, Elliot hugged Olivia as a thank you. Isabel did an excellent acting performance in this episode- she was on longer than previous walk on-and-off appearance here and there and got to truly show her acting chops. She held her own with Chris and Mariska, bravo!

5. Contagious

A non Kathy episode, but she was mentioned. From season 6 during the beginning of the separation between Elliot and Kathy. Olivia tried to get Elliot to go home to get some rest, but he refused because the house was empty. Kathy and their children were living with her mother. I consider this a favorite because the episode showed Elliot's pain and anger over Kathy. He was furious at Kathy for leaving him, wondering how she could walk away after 20 years of marriage. Obviously, he did not want the separation in the first place and later divorce. But the problem he had with Kathy were communication skills- he rarely spoke about his cases. He reasoned that one of them had to sleep while the other stayed up and tried to protect his family from that dark side. I think he let certain cases get to him personal enough to withdraw away from Kathy.

6. Wanderlust

Kathy appeared in three scenes, one included a nice few seconds making out on the couch while watching television. Not surprisingly that the other two scenes (before and after the kissing) became unforgettable blah… something to do with Maureen having a boyfriend and going to a homecoming school dance. I love the way Elliot had his arms around Kathy, and they both looked relaxed in each other's company. It got slightly spoiled by Elliot's concerns over Maureen and sex, while Kathy seemed to be okay with it, maybe getting a good kick out of it.

Well, let's face it: Kathy was with her children a hell lot more than Elliot, as being a housewife and it appeared that whenever Kathy interacted with her children, they were close and open with each other. The children never had any direct anger towards Kathy as they have with Elliot (Maureen in Sophomore Jinx, Kathleen in Trials and Swing, Dickie in Turmoil) and there was also some underlined tension whenever Elliot interacted with his children. Even Elliot pointed out in Popular that Kathy is the Parent and he is the Paycheck. Hmm, this is becoming too psychological analyzing babble- maybe save for a future post! Moving on!

7. Delinquent

When this episode originally aired, little did the audience knew (and Isabel), this would be the last that we see of Elliot and Kathy together. Here's a little trivia based from “Twitter math” from the cast and crew: the pillow talk between Elliot and Kathy was not only a last minute added scene because the episode ran short but it turned out to be the final scene Chris would tape for SVU. Soon afterwards after the finale aired, he went in for his annual contract negotiations and left the show. Well, let’s focus on why this episode is on the favorite list: Elliot and Kathy were asleep in bed in the early hours of the morning (sun was starting to come up) and Elliot's cell rang. Elliot had his arm on top of Kathy and had no intentions to answer his phone, he wanted to keep sleeping on his personal day off. He didn't want Kathy to answer it either but she insisted. Kathy referred Olivia as his office wife and while talking to her, Elliot wanted to hold his wife's hand. Awww… some insist that Elliot was actually wanted the phone but Kathy pushed his hand away but I saw none of that; Elliot wanted his wife, not his partner on the phone. Apparently Elliot didn't tell Kathy about him being accused of sexual harassment a teenage boy made on him while being held for breaking and entering a stranger's home. Kathy then snuggled next to Elliot. Not a bad way to say “goodbye” to Elliot and Kathy together- in bed, affectionate, loving, wanting to be together…. Very nice.

8. Scourge

A non Kathy episode. This is very brief, blink or you’ll miss moment: Elliot was with a victim’s devastated family member when a call from Kathy came in. Elliot gently sent the victim’s relative away to pull herself together and takes Kathy's call, he was happy to hear her voice. A bit of sunshine in his dark day.

9. Burned

This wasn't the best Elliot and Kathy episode. It was about their pending divorce. Elliot, after several months of being served, hadn't signed the divorce papers. Kathy tried confronting Elliot about it in an earlier episode and got nowhere. This time around, she turned to Olivia to help convince Elliot to sign the papers. It didn't seem like Olivia did at all-- she wasn't too thrilled with Elliot at that moment, they weren't seeing eye to eye on a case and temperament insults were flying around. Eventually it was the case about two warring parents going through a nasty divorce battle that went as far as accusing rape and setting the other one on fire that prompted Elliot to sign the divorce papers and deliver them to Kathy. Why is this episode on my favorite list? Pretty much the last scene where it showed that Elliot was still in love with Kathy while sitting outside with Olivia in the early hours of morning and neither could sleep. Elliot only signed the divorce papers because he didn't want his love with Kathy turn into hate. He didn't want her to ever regret him. To me, that's love and that's why it's on the list. Elliot obviously doesn't regret Kathy.

10. Ripped

A non Kathy episode, yet she was mentioned. Again, like Contagious, Elliot displayed his personal feelings over his pain and anger of his separation with Kathy. He did opened up a little bit more: Kathy left him without any signs or clues- she just up and left with their children. Prior to her departure, Elliot did try to seek help with the Priest for counseling but it may have done nothing for Kathy to pack up and leave. Yet his marriage problems were just a scratch on the surface; as it turned out, the deeper problem was his troubled relationship with his deceased father.

11. Risk

Kathy appeared so briefly that it may as well have been a “blink or miss” trivia. Short yet sweet. Let's try to slightly prolong the scene: Kathy hadn't seen her husband for God knows how long and was concerned over how much sleep Elliot was getting and bought along dinner (a sandwich). Elliot was being his typical dedicated to the job detective mode wanting to see his case be solved and through despite being put on desk duty for his regularly run in with the IAB. Elliot overheard Munch give Olivia an update and wanted to get in on it, hands on. Here comes my favorite part: He grabbed Kathy's head with his hands and kissed her on the lips! He told her to hug the kids, he loves her, and thanks for dinner. And then he was off. It was close to the end of the episode.

12. Home

A short family scene with Elliot and Dickie playing a board game with Kathy looking on. It lasted a less minutes than before but sweet nonetheless. Elliot got called away for a little boy that Kathy knew about and told him to go. They pecked each other on the lips. There were no indication of trouble for the marriage- they looked happy- the following year Kathy left Elliot embarking a 2 year separation with pending divorce. The separation did come as a shock but not totally surprised due to Elliot's obsessive dedication to his job and not so great communication skills other than 'fluff’ cases.

13. Annihilated

Honestly, the reunion between Elliot and Kathy could've been done a little better. Maybe it was bad timing? The writers could've originally planned for Elliot's marriage to end in divorce but instead, Isabel got divorced, moved back near where SVU was filmed, and the crew were so impressed with Isabel's performance in the beginning of the season that the writers scrapped their original plan to rewrite Isabel as Kathy back into the show. Everything was done quickly that no thought out ideas were given time to plan out. In this episode, despite wanting to move back home, Elliot was dawdling yet after finding a dead wife and three young children, he got rattled and went to see Kathy to check on their sleepy children. This is the infamous episode where Elliot's butt crack made it's television debut and he and Kathy conceived Eli. Many, including Christopher, consider it as a booty call. Some even accused Kathy of seducing a vulnerable man- that I doubt. Elliot may have been shaken, but he was definitely in the right frame of mind and knew exactly what he was doing. Take it as you want. This episode had (1) Elliot and Kathy's first kiss in 3 seasons, (2) the first love-making scene from a regular character in the 'Law & Order’ franchise, and (3) a fifth child in the making for the Stablers.

14. Lunacy

Another non Kathy episode but their son Dickie makes an appearance to meet the man he was named after. Apparently, Elliot's idol was an astronaut named Colonial Dick Finley. As a young adult teenager, Elliot wanted to be a jet pilot despite his many insistence that he wanted to be a cop all his childhood and teen years. Maybe it was a temporary change of mind until his girlfriend became pregnant and in order to support her, their new marriage and their baby, Elliot needed the money right then and there to become his original dream job as a cop. The only thing Elliot got to do to follow in his hero’s footsteps was to join the Marines. As it turned out, Dick was the guilty killer. I bet at that very moment and afterwards that Elliot was very happy to do right by his family rather than following his hero’s womanizing ways. There was a rather cute moment between father and son where Elliot confided in Dickie about him butting heads with his father and he realized he already had what he wanted in life that was more important: Kathy with Maureen on the way. Dickie realized that Elliot had knocked up Kathy before going into the Marines than after, as he originally believed. Elliot had that “Oh shit!” facial expression.

15. Wildlife

Honestly, this wasn't the best Elliot and Kathy episode either but the final scene saved it from being off the list. The whole episode in general was ridiculous and comedic about endangered animal smuggling. The smuggling is no joke, but Special Victims Unit had no reason to be involved other the beginning with the female deceased victim. When they discovered what she was participating in animal smuggling, SVU should've given the case to the FBI. OK, back to Elliot and Kathy: there was an indication that things weren't going well with the marriage (before Elliot went undercover) on Elliot's side when he refused to take the call from Kathy. He told Olivia to tell her that he was out in the field. Olivia, to her credit, didn't look too pleased to lie to his wife but did so anyway. Now, why would he do that? Lots of unanswered questions there. According to Olivia and later Kathy while trying to reach him, she wanted to know when he would be home. Sounds like a normal wife thing to do. And Kathy didn't seem mad at all. Did Elliot wanted to avoid diaper duty? Did Elliot and Kathy had an argument earlier? Did Kathy do or say something that piss Elliot off? I do believe that whatever happened got cut out in the editing room and we will never know why. When Olivia told Kathy that Elliot was undercover, Kathy was mad that Olivia lied to her and that Elliot went undercover without telling her. Kathy then attempted to leave Elliot again with Eli but was stopped by Olivia, who promised to get Elliot to call her. When Olivia reached Elliot, she was on Kathy's side, doesn't blame her for being mad and Elliot was in the doghouse. Yet, Elliot did want Kathy to know that he had Olivia's cell when his undercover cell was taken away. It wasn't until an undercover cop Elliot arrested told Elliot that his family was long gone after leaving him that he had a change of heart. The next scene, the saving grace, had Elliot and Kathy in bed sleeping until Eli started to cry. Kathy attempted to get him but was stopped by Elliot, who was bandaged from being shot twice in the chest and arm, he was going to tend to Eli. Sure, Kathy could've stopped him but then again, Elliot must’ve had a lot of making up to do to be on Kathy's good side. He called her baby and then went to soothe Eli.