Yet another show from Taylor Sheridan, Landman Season Two continues to exploration of Tommy Norris and the oil industry. This one is out 9/22.
“In Season Two, as oil rises from the earth, so do secrets – and Tommy Norris’s (Billy Bob Thorton) breaking point may be closer than he realizes. Facing mounting pressure from M-Tex Oil, Cami Miller (Demi Moore), and the shadow of his kin, survival in West Texas isn’t noble – it’s brutal. And sooner or later something’s got to break. The Texas-sized drama is driven by a riveting cast of co-stars that includes Andy Garcia as nefarious investor Gallino, Ali Larter as Tommy’s stunning ex-wife, Angela, and Sam Elliot as Tommy’s father, T.L. This 3-disc Blu-ray set includes all 10 episodes from Season Two.”
Taylor Sheridan has become one of the more recognizable names in modern television, creating entire universes of dynamic characters and interesting stories. With Landman, Sheridan turns his attention to the oil industry, creating a series that combines workplace drama, family conflict, dark humor, and the dangerous realities of the oil business.
While the show shares some of the familiar characteristics of Sheridan’s other projects, it also stands apart through its focus on the people working behind the scenes of the industry. At the center of it all is Billy Bob Thornton, who gives the series much of its personality.
The first season introduces Tommy Norris, a landman and crisis manager working for M-Tex Oil in West Texas. His job involves negotiating leases, dealing with landowners, managing problems in the oil fields, and keeping the company operating when things go wrong. Unfortunately, things go wrong quite often.
Tommy is forced to deal with oil-field accidents, dangerous cartel connections, corporate pressure, and the challenges of managing his family. His son Cooper begins working in the oil fields, giving him a firsthand look at the difficult and dangerous work that takes place away from the corporate offices. Meanwhile, Tommy’s ex-wife Angela returns to his life, and his daughter Ainsley creates her own share of problems.
The first season balances the business side of the oil industry with the personal lives of the people involved. Tommy is constantly caught between the demands of his job and his responsibilities as a father. The season also introduces Monty Miller, the head of M-Tex Oil, whose health problems and business decisions become increasingly important. By the end of the season, Tommy’s relationship with the company changes dramatically following Monty’s death. Cami Miller, Monty’s widow, takes control of the business, while Tommy finds himself in a more powerful position. His son Cooper also begins making plans for his own future in the oil industry, setting up several of the storylines explored in season two.
The second season picks up after Monty’s death, with Cami now in charge of M-Tex Oil and Tommy promoted to president. However, taking control of the company is not as straightforward as Cami expects. She soon discovers that Monty left behind complicated financial problems, forcing her and Tommy to deal with the company’s uncertain future.Tommy is still responsible for managing the day-to-day problems in the oil fields, but his new position brings additional corporate responsibilities. Cami’s attempts to establish herself as the head of the company create tension between the two, especially as they struggle to determine how the business should be managed.
The season also spends more time developing Tommy’s family relationships. His son Cooper begins exploring his own oil leases and business opportunities, while Tommy attempts to repair his relationship with his father, T.L. Norris. Sam Elliott joins the cast in this role, bringing a welcome combination of humor, toughness, and emotional weight. Tommy’s relationship with Angela also becomes a major part of the season. Their interactions provide some of the show’s funniest moments, but they also demonstrate how complicated their history remains. The series frequently shifts between serious drama and broad comedy, sometimes within the same scene.
As the season progresses, Tommy becomes involved in increasingly complicated business negotiations, including offshore drilling. The corporate conflicts, family drama, and dangers associated with the oil industry eventually collide, creating a season that is more focused on its characters and relationships than the first season’s larger collection of disasters and action sequences.
Landman fits nicely within Taylor Sheridan’s growing collection of television projects. Like Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, and Tulsa King, the series focuses on people operating in environments where money, power, violence, and personal loyalty often overlap.
Here’s an episode break down of Season Two:
Episode 1: “Death and a Sunset”
Episode 2: “Sins of the Father”
Episode 3: “Almost a Home”
Episode 4: “Dancing Rainbows”
Episode 5: “The Pirate Dinner”
Episode 6: “Dark Night of the Soul”
Episode 7: “Forever Is an Instant”
Episode 8: “Handsome Touched Me”
Episode 9: “Plans, Tears, and Sirens”
Episode 10: “Tragedy and Flies”
Video
The Blu-ray release presents the ten episodes across three discs. The image is crisp and clean, with excellent detail and a strong presentation of the show’s West Texas locations. The contrast between the dusty oil fields, industrial environments, and corporate interiors gives the series a distinct visual style.
The photography makes good use of the wide 2.00:1 aspect ratio, and the image remains sharp throughout.
Audio
The English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack provides a rich and immersive experience. Dialogue remains clear, while the surround channels add atmosphere through music, environmental effects, and the more intense action sequences.
Special Features
The Blu-ray includes two behind-the-scenes featurettes.
- Going Deeper: Inside Landman Season Two
- Finding Character in Clothing with Costume Designer Janie Bryant
Landman continues to be one of Taylor Sheridan’s more unusual television projects. It shares many of his familiar interests, including power, wealth, and family conflict. However, the focus on the oil industry gives the show its own identity. This one will be released 9/22.
