Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for Landman season 1!
Taylor Sheridan delivered on Landman’s season 1 finale, one of the best episodes of the series so far, offering a ton of interesting drama to break down. The latest series from the acclaimed Yellowstone creator is centered around the Permian Basin’s oil industry and a fictional company called M-Tex. Billy Bob Thornton leads Landman’s cast as Tommy Norris, the crisis management executive for M-Tex, which is owned by Jon Hamm’s Monty Miller, Tommy’s long-time friend. Episode 9’s ending saw Monty hospitalized for heart issues, with this plotline carrying into the finale.
The episode began with Monty Miller’s heart condition worsening, resulting in his death. When Monty is in an incapacitated state, Tommy gains control of the company and Monty’s estate. Tommy advises Cami (Demi Moore) to sell the company, liquidating what she can so her family can live comfortably for generations, but she decides she’d rather go all in on an oil drilling gambit. Later in the episode, Tommy is captured and tortured by the Cartel before a drug lord named Gallino (Andy Garcia) arrives and stops it. The episode ends with Tommy once again watching a coyote in his yard.
Why The Cartel Boss Saved Tommy & What It Means For Landman
Gallino Wants To Make Money, Not Fight The Oil Industry
Landman season 1’s penultimate episode saw Tommy speaking on the phone with Jiminez, a lower level Cartel boss who decides to take matters into his own hands in the finale. Jiminez captures Tommy and detonates an M-Tex oil drill. Gallino is a new character introduced in Landman’s season 1 finale, bringing yet another veteran movie star into the mix. Andy Garcia, who’s best known for his roles in The Untouchables and Ocean’s Eleven, among many other iconic films, shows up as a sophisticated, dignified Cartel leader who’s hoping to end the cycle of violence.
The narrative implies that, in order for Tommy to succeed in the future, he may have to start making deals with the Devil.
Gallino and Tommy discuss how they might be able to prosper simultaneously, learning to collaborate and generate income together. Tommy suggests that Gallino’s drug business is declining, and Gallino suggests that he might be interested in pivoting to oil. Tommy is reluctant to form any agreements with the Cartel, but Gallino strikes a hard bargain, matching Tommy’s threats with facts of his own. The narrative implies that, in order for Tommy to succeed in the future, he may have to start making deals with the Devil.
What Monty’s Death Means For Tommy & Cami
Tommy & Cami Are Gambling On Oil Success
Monty’s death puts Tommy in a bind, as now he’s essentially working on behalf of Cami. He’s the president of the company now, but he’s still planning to honor Cami’s decisions and spend the money how she wants, advising her along the way. Tommy wants to help her, but he knows the immense risks of diving deeper into the oil business and knows the stress of constant make-or-break risk was what led Monty to his death. Literally and figuratively, Tommy doesn’t want the same to happen to Cami, or himself, for that matter.
Regardless, Tommy tries to put aside his differences with Rebecca, who’s still hesitant about working to the advantage of an oil company. He brings her back on as the main lawyer, with her intended to be the negotiator, while Nathan provides more oil industry experience for the legal team. They organize their strategy before Tommy is abducted by the Cartel, and this narrative is left for the next season.
Why There Are Things Tommy Cannot Tell Angela
Tommy Can’t Tell Angela About The Dangers Of His Job
Tommy returns home from being abducted by the Cartel with bruises all over his face, immediately raising concern from Angela (Ali Larter). In a Godfather-like manner, Tommy suggests that there are things he won’t be able to tell her about his job, essentially shutting the door between his work and home life. Angela wants Tommy to be happy, and she wouldn’t be thrilled about the risks he’s taking with work. By shutting her out, he’s doing what he needs to do so that he can focus on M-Tex.
What’s Happening With Cooper & Ariana?
Cooper & Ariana Grew Closer In Episode 10
Cooper and Ariana became Landman’s will-they-won’t-they throughout season 1, as Ariana is a recent widow and young single mother. Tommy advises Cooper about the potential of her instability, and the season finale shows her grieving for her lost husband. However, instead of driving a wedge between them, Cooper is understanding and encourages her to feel the emotion she needs to feel. By embracing her, he makes her happy, and they ultimately become closer because of it. As for Cooper, his plan to enter the oil industry started off successfully, but there weren’t many developments in the episode.
Is Landman Season 2 Happening?
It Hasn’t Been Announced Yet
With Landman setting up stories for season 2, it seems likely that audiences will be able to return to the hit Paramount+ show eventually. The streaming service hasn’t announced production on a new season just yet, but the series has been popular. Not to mention, Taylor Sheridan is the primary source of original content for Paramount+, so if he’s interested and has time to write another season, it’d be shocking for them to decline him. All things considered, Landman is likely to have a second season, but there’s no official announcement on that yet.
