Landman Season 1 Episode 4 Review: The Sting of Second Chances
Landman Season 1 Episode 4, “The Sting of Second Chances,” on Paramount+, really shakes things up. The latest episode in this Taylor Sheridan drama highlights both the good and bad moments.
It dives into interesting character development and unresolved storylines. This episode also tackles themes like bouncing back, finding redemption, and navigating complicated relationships in a world focused on oil and personal gains.
The heart of the episode really shows Rebecca stepping up as a strong force. After some awkward moments in earlier episodes, she really finds her rhythm during Tommy’s tough deposition. When opponents try to bring her down, Rebecca takes charge in the boardroom.
She showcases a mix of smarts and determination. Her clever takedown of the opposing attorneys really highlights her strength as a young female lawyer making waves in a male-dominated field.
This scene especially emphasizes her goal-driven attitude and cements her as an essential character. Tommy and Rebecca’s celebratory outing provides a rare moment of lightness. Their developing friendship, which may have hidden motives, highlights Tommy’s desperation and Rebecca’s cautious demeanor.
Things get even more complicated when Tommy’s ex-wife, Angela, and their daughter, Ainsley, unexpectedly show up. This unexpected meeting really puts a spotlight on how much Tommy has struggled lately, and it also gives a glimpse into Angela’s no-nonsense attitude.
Angela can’t seem to shake her feelings for Tommy. She’s always trying to get his attention, hoping to get back to being his “trophy wife,” even though her life is now a complicated mess of relationships. Underneath her cool persona, she regrets ending their marriage—something she isn’t shy about mentioning to Tommy when they are at home later in the evening.
Tommy, on the other hand, doesn’t hold back about their past. He points out that their relationship was pretty messy, filled with fights and emotional ups and downs. But Angela isn’t backing down. She shares that she wants to leave her current husband and is ready to be honest about it, asking for another shot at their relationship.
At first, Tommy isn’t interested, but Angela keeps pushing him until he finally gives in. After some hesitation, he agrees to try their relationship again, setting things up for what could be a really emotional and messy reunion. Now, both have to deal with the complicated stuff from their past while figuring out how to start fresh.
In Episode 4, Cooper takes a major step forward, proving himself in a high-stakes situation. When a crew member gets injured, Cooper seizes the moment. He steps in to fix the oil well amidst the chaos.
This moment highlights his growing skills and determination, and it marks a turning point in his somewhat untraditional relationship with his dad, Tommy.
From the beginning, the father-son dynamic has been quietly simmering, with Tommy’s tough exterior leaving little room for emotional connection. However, this emergency forces Cooper into a makeshift leadership role, and Tommy is left to acknowledge his son’s quick thinking and resilience.
For the first time, Tommy starts to see that Cooper is following in his footsteps. As Cooper faces the challenges of the oil industry, he’s changing—gaining skills and confidence along the way.
This moment is a real turning point for Cooper in his career and personal life. You can feel they’re just starting a new chapter in their relationship. It’s hard to say if Tommy will count on Cooper down the line, but one thing’s for sure: Cooper is showing he can stand side-by-side with his dad.
The episode has its good points, but it falls short with unnecessary filler. A seven-minute montage of oilfield workers doesn’t add much and drags the pace down.
While I appreciate the show’s effort to capture the tough reality of the oil industry, those long sequences just felt like they took away from the story.
Angela and Ainsley’s antics at the “communal house” are starting to feel a bit old. While Angela, played with a fun charm by Ali Larter, adds some humor to the mix, it’s hard to understand what drives her character. Their presence brings a lot of chaos to the workspace, but it doesn’t add enough to the story to justify keeping them around for so long.
The episode’s presentation of Rebecca’s win is impressive, but it would have been even better if we had more background about her. Knowing what fuels her determination would have helped viewers connect with her on a deeper level.
Additionally, the potential romance between Cooper and Ariana feels forced. Their connection is starting to take shape, and I hope the upcoming storyline hits home. Ariana’s money problems add a nice touch, but her character could use a bit more depth to truly fit into the main story.
Rebecca really stands out as the powerhouse of the show. She’s tough and smart and keeps her cool no matter what challenges come her way. Then there’s Tommy, whose struggles with his past and uncertain future make him relatable and vulnerable.
Angela is a wild card, bringing both laughs and emotional moments. Cooper is on his own journey, trying to earn his dad’s respect, which adds a nice subplot to the story.
“The Sting of Second Chances” moves Landman along with great performances and some important moments, even if the pacing is sometimes a bit off. The characters keep growing interestingly, making viewers excited for what’s coming next.
It may not be perfect, but the episode brings enough drama and emotion to keep you engaged.
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What did you think of this episode of Landman? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Landman airs Sundays on Paramoun+.
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