Landman season two
Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan returns with the second season of Landman. After the first season saw straight-talking oil tycoon Tommy Norris (Billy Bob Thornton) become entangled with the cartel, he’s now been promoted to Vice President after the death of his former boss, with his widow (Demi Moore) taking over as head of the company. With the business left in a precarious situation, Tommy must help keep things afloat while staying on top of his own family dramas. While a slick production and a roster of strong performances give this latest season the sheen of a prestigious drama, melodramatic plotlines and a tonally chaotic script turn this show into a Texan soap opera.
Thornton is unequivocally the best part of the show. From his gruff manner of speaking, complete with plenty of wry turns of phrase, alongside a snazzy suit and cowboy hat combination, he’s the quintessential image of the idealised, all-American family man. Tommy is in full control of every situation, and it’s a lot of fun to watch Thornton in his element. Moore is also sensational. Although she doesn’t get much screen time within the opening episodes, her fiery presence nevertheless makes a strong impression. Sam Elliott is another noteworthy addition to the cast as Tommy’s father, embodying the show’s western attitude.
Visually, Landman looks wonderful. The cinematography takes full advantage of the West Texas scenery to create some wonderful shots. However, its plot leaves a lot to be desired. Rather than continuing the narrative where things left off, the series prefers to spread its attention between various other subplots. Tommy’s daughter (Michelle Randolph) has enrolled in a new school to be a cheerleader, while his son (Jacob Lofland) deals with relationship and business problems of his own when he strikes big during his first drill. There are comedic and emotionally charged moments to be found here, but the script struggles to balance them. This leads to unintentionally hilarious instances like an aerobics session turning into a campy beatdown, to jarring tonal shifts such as an overblown family argument transitioning to a tragic bombshell.
Despite strong performances, Landman is a soap opera in a cowboy hat. While its romanticisation of oil drilling may also leave an unpleasant taste in viewers’ mouths, it’s the bizarre tone that’s ultimately this show’s downfall.
Andrew Murray
Landman season two is released on Paramount+ on 16th November 2025.
Watch the trailer for Landman season two here:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS