Hank struggles with constipation, with which Peggy tries to help him and her loose lips makes that secret spread across Arlen.
This episode contains examples of:
- Artistic License – Medicine:
- Discussed by Hank after the doctor tells Bobby the human intestines are long enough to reach around the world, which he argues is impossible, saying a piece of steak would have to shoot through them faster than the speed of sound. Hank isn't wrong, as the small intestine is 20 feet long and the large intestine 5 feet long — not even close to the 25,000 miles that is the circumference of Earth. As a doctor, he should know that.
- The doctor wouldn't have been able to do a sigmoidoscopy without Hank's bowels being empty first (which typically involves a powerful laxative and/or an enema), which would have solved his problem.
- No responsible doctor would even think of removing the colon to treat constipation, especially without knowing the underlying cause.
- Cannot Keep a Secret: Peggy, concerned for Hank's well-being, expresses her worries to Nancy, who then proceeds to tell her husband Dale. Dale then tells the guys (who presumably tell others), which culminates in Nancy wishing Hank well on live TV during the weather report, as well as Boomhauers date offering unsolicited advice (whom Hank tells flat out he doesn't even know who she is).
- Characterization Marches On: Bill, Dale, and Boomhauer are concerned about Hank's constipation and try to give him tips to relieve the problem. If a situation like this (Hank suffering some unpleasant and/or embarrassing condition or happenstance) were to occur in a later episode (examples being Hank suffering hysterical blindness, his dolphin encounter, and him needing a cushion for his buttocks), the guys would all laugh and joke about it.
- Dropped Glasses: Happens to Hank when his glasses fall into the toilet, with Peggy thinking he finally went.
- Elevator Buttons Mash: Bobby does this before he leaves the elevator, which a couple who's about to have their baby born are also on. As a result, the baby is indeed Born in an Elevator.
- Embarrassing Hospital Gown: Hank wears a hospital gown while visiting his doctor about his issues with constipation. Since the gown is open at the back, Hank ends up accidentally flashing the audience (and later apologizing to them in the end credits).
- Exact Words: Luanne suggests he sees an acupuncturist, where they stick needles in the body and light them on fire, with Hank saying if anyone tried that on him, he'd kick his ass. Later on, he sees the acupuncturist sticking needles into his back and lighting them. Cue Hank walking in (with the still lit needles in his back) and kicking the acupuncturist in the ass.
- Fan Disservice: When Dr. Morley first pops in, we get a nice glimpse of Hank's bare ass from his open hospital gown, which he quickly covers with his hands. Hank even apologizes to the audience who where offended by the scene during the end credits.
- Get It Over With: A mortified Hank during the rectal exam says to kill him now.
- Humiliation Conga: This episode is one big one for Hank. First, Peggy and Bobby try to give him advice, then Peggy speaks to Nancy about it, which she blabs to Dale, who then tells the neighborhood, culminating in Nancy wishing him well during the weather report. And it doesn't get much better when he finally agrees to go to the doctor. He gets a sigmoidoscope inside him to see the problem, with a doctor who's a little too friendly for his liking and Bobby and a medical student seeing everything. Plus Peggy babying him, giving him faux-fu and vegetables, enforcing a schedule for bathroom visits and at a restaurant with his friends, is reduced to using a ladies' bathroom. Plus he almost ends up needing surgery to have his colon removed.
- If It Tastes Bad, It Must Be Good for You: Hank goes to a health food store and naturally doesn't find any of the food to help him that appetizing. Even the guy running the store flat-out admits the food doesn't taste good.
- Interrupted Cooldown Hug: Hank gives Peggy a hug to calm her down after talking about being scared of losing Hank. But then, it finally hits Hank as he quickly heads to the toilet and finally goes, much to the joy of the family.
- Living Is More than Surviving: Towards the end, Peggy and Hank both realize that her efforts at getting Hank into a healthier lifestyle have taken away everything that he enjoys. Peggy resolves to let Hank go back to enjoying life on his own terms, even if it leaves him with a somewhat shorter lifespan. Fortunately, Hank's bowels get moving shortly after that.Hank: I'd rather die with a burger in my colon than live and eat "Faux Fu"!
- Mistaken Age: When Dr. Morley talks to Bobby about a "fact" about the intestines, he refers to Hank as his grandfather, which Hank corrects him.
- Nightmare Sequence: Peggy has one where Hank dies of complications relating to his constipation, which ends with Cotton flushing the coffin into the ground. This scares Peggy into wakefulness and this finally convinces Hank to see a doctor.
- Potty Emergency: Hank is constipated and does various things to help him finally go. He does at the end.
- Recognition Failure: Peggy watches a documentary with C. Everett Koop talking about constipation. Hank walks in, disgusted by Peggy revealing everything, sees Koop, and asks if that's Howard Stern.
- Riddle for the Ages: What exactly is Dale's cure for constipation involving bacon grease? All we know is it doesn't involve eating it.
- The Stinger: Hank is on his lawnmower and explains how he did the partial nudity because he felt the script warranted it and apologizes to everyone if they were offended by seeing his backside.
- Tampering with Food and Drink: Peggy makes Hank an ice cream dessert with laxative chocolate sauce. Hank enjoys it at first until Bobby lets slip what it really is. Hank gets appalled and leaves, letting Bobby finish the rest of it.
