Landman Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Dreamers and Losers
Landman Season 1 Episode 2, “Dreamers and Losers,” picks up right where the intense premiere left off. While the show effectively explores the thrilling world of Texas boomtowns, this episode struggles slightly with its tone and pacing.
As a result, we get a mixed bag of touching moments, funny scenes, and some frustrating plot twists.
This episode really shines when it comes to showing the harsh realities of life in the oilfields. Billy Bob Thornton’s performance as Tommy Norris continues to be impressive with a mix of a tired kind of sarcasm and real emotional depth.
The aftermath of the blowout tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in the industry, and Tommy’s role as the reluctant bearer of bad news adds significant weight to his character.
Then there’s the “Roommate House,” an interesting part of oilfield culture where workers live together in a big house despite their wealth. It brings some laughs to an otherwise heavy story.
One of the funniest moments happens when James Jordan’s character, Dale, unexpectedly walks in on Ainsley Norris, Tommy’s daughter, in the shower. It adds a bit of chaos and humor to an otherwise pretty serious episode.
Kayla Wallace plays Rebecca Falcone, a feisty attorney who’s dealing with a legal mess, and she definitely brings some excitement to the show.
Her first meeting with Tommy hints at a fiery chemistry that could spark a complicated relationship later on. The humor is another big win for the show, with clever lines and fun shout-outs to Texan culture, like Whataburger and other local elements. As a Texan, I really appreciate these fun touches.
Episode 2 has some good moments but this show really needs to improve its storytelling. The pacing gets dragged down by repetitive phone calls and FaceTime chats, especially the ones with Ali Larter’s character, Angela. While her character doubles down on the Southern flair, they feel unnecessary and slow things down.
It is also disappointing that Michael Peña, who stood out in the premiere, has been permanently removed from the show.
His absence and charm will certainly be missed. Additionally, Tommy’s son, Cooper, receives very little screen time, which misses an opportunity to effectively convey the emotional impact of the tragedy.
Furthermore, Ainsley’s revealing scenes and the reactions they provoke feel exploitative, which detracts from the overall story.
This show is carried on the shoulders of Thornton’s Tommy, who continues to steal the show with his uncompromising attitude and sharp humor.
He’s the ultimate problem-solver, never backing down when things get messy. On the other hand, Jon Hamm’s Monty Miller seems a bit wasted; he’s stuck in scenes just rehashing stuff we already know.
With Demi Moore’s character as Monty’s wife, her inclusion is trivial, and it feels like she’s just a background actor.
Landman has potential for growth. If it can refine its storytelling and establish a consistent tone, it could achieve the sweet spot it’s aiming for.
So far, the show tends to jump around in tone, fluctuating between graphic realism and light-hearted moments, as well as awkward sexual themes, which can feel jarring.
What did you think of this episode of Landman? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Landman airs Sundays on Paramount+.
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