Landman Season 1 Episode 9 Review: Wolfcamp
Landman Season 1 Episode 9, “Wolfman,” gets us closer to the finale with a lot of character development, corporate drama, and family issues. Although the episode still struggles with tonal inconsistencies because of mismatched subplots, it moves the story along nicely. It has some emotional moments and sets up an exciting conclusion.
Billy Bob Thorton’s Tommy Norris is still dealing with the chaos from the National Guard’s accidental explosions in episode eight. The Cartel is angrier than ever and poses a constant threat, putting Tommy and his family in danger. Thornton’s performance is as strong as always; he balances Tommy’s humor and fatigue, showing the weight on his shoulders from circumstances he can’t control.
Tommy’s attempts to negotiate with the Cartel highlight how hard it is to find peace, adding some suspense as the finale gets closer. However, the lack of back-and-forth between Tommy and the Cartel seems like a missed chance to dive into the tension of this conflict as this season went on. While the episode sets things up for an explosive showdown, I wished for a more direct clash early on, like the first episode.
Jon Hamm’s character, Monty, offers a more emotional subplot as he tries to bounce back from a health scare. A surprise guest appearance by Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys owner, brings an unexpected but heartfelt touch to the episode.
His speech about mixing family with business hits home, highlighting one of the main themes of Landman: the balance between work, family, and personal sacrifices. Monty shakes things up by making Tommy the operations vice president while offering a VP position to the shrewd Rebecca.
Tommy’s reluctance to work with Rebecca, especially after what she did to his son Cooper, shows he’s getting wise to her ruthless tactics, which hints at future conflicts. Hamm does a great job showing Monty’s struggle as he juggles his respect for Rebecca’s savvy with his loyalty to Tommy.
Cooper has changed since the show started, and this episode shows how he’s become a driven and clever young guy. His plan to buy up small oil leases and eventually create a big business proves his determination. However, the episode also hints that his rising ambition could clash with his integrity and relationship with Ariana.
One of the most touching moments is when Cooper openly declares his love for Ariana. It feels heartfelt and genuine. Although they’ve had their ups and downs, this episode strengthens their connection.
Still, Ariana’s initial doubts keep things realistic, recognizing that their relationship has been a bit of a whirlwind. Their chemistry starts to feel more real as they think about a future together, even with some uncertainties hanging in the air.
The subplot with Angela and Ainsley wanting to take the seniors to a strip club feels off. While it adds some funny moments, it takes away from the darker themes of the episode and breaks up the flow of the story. This tonal clash keeps coming up for the series, making these side stories feel more like filler than anything meaningful.
The episode ends tensely as Monty goes through another health scare. With Tommy getting a serious phone call with implications, Monty might not make it, which marks another dark ending as we head to the finale.
“Wolfcamp” has some really strong character moments and moves the story along, especially with Monty’s choices and Cooper’s business ventures. That said, the episode struggles with some tonal shifts and the lack of direct conflict with the cartel, keeping it from hitting the mark.
With the finale on the horizon, Landman is gearing up for an intense ending that could cement it as a great character-driven drama.
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Landman airs Sundays on Paramount+.
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