Extremely broken aesop.
The episode just assumes the viewer will agree that hitting below the belt is forbidden just 'because'. Bobby is shown to be facing unfair fights from the beginning, many of which consist of him still defending himself during his supposed 'downward spiral'.
Hank's attempt at forcing Bobby to learn boxing only serves to further how badly the lesson is handled throughout the episode. The way Hank taunts Bobby while popping him FELT like bullying to him and triggered a response in him... and we're supposed to side with Hank in that instance.
Furthermore, the last minute lesson Hank tries to tack on about 'fighting dirty' when the other guy is doing so is utterly meaningless. The very first bully Bobby faced (and eventually stood up to) constantly uses unfair numbers against him and again, we're supposed to think Bobby was in the wrong for bringing "dirty" tactics against the guy that literally made him eat dirt.
Extremely broken aesop. The episode just assumes the viewer will agree that hitting below the belt is forbidden just 'because'. Bobby is shown to be facing unfair fights from the beginning, many of which consist of him still defending himself during his supposed 'downward spiral'. Hank's attempt at forcing Bobby to learn boxing only serves to further how badly the lesson is handled throughout the episode. The way Hank taunts Bobby while popping him FELT like bullying to him and triggered a response in him... and we're supposed to side with Hank in that instance. Furthermore, the last minute lesson Hank tries to tack on about 'fighting dirty' when the other guy is doing so is utterly meaningless. The very first bully Bobby faced (and eventually stood up to) constantly uses unfair numbers against him and again, we're supposed to think Bobby was in the wrong for bringing "dirty" tactics against the guy that literally made him eat dirt.