Landman Recap: Cheating Death

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The show Landman constantly reminds viewers of the serious dangers faced by oil rig workers, and those high-stakes moments are often the most exciting parts. This week’s episode starts with a chilling scene: a dangerous leak of hydrogen sulfide from an old, deserted rig, which tragically results in the deaths of both hunters and the wild hogs they were pursuing.

The danger wasn’t over yet. When Dale arrived with his team, they were also poisoned, luckily avoiding a worse outcome because of their hydrogen sulfide detectors. They called for help after being exposed, but the situation remained incredibly tense. Everyone was violently sick, and Jerrell was forced to hide on top of the tank, exposed to the dangerous fumes without any protective gear. He was in serious trouble once the wind changed direction. Dale managed to get him down just as the wind shifted, though Jerrell unfortunately vomited inside a gas mask during the rescue. Ultimately, Jerrell was the only one who needed to stay in the hospital overnight.

Everyone is deeply shaken, to say the least. While Dale briefly reflects on the risks of their job, the strongest reaction comes from Boss as they drive to the hospital. He’s understandably upset and worried about potentially never seeing his family again, questioning the purpose of it all if his children are left without a father.

While that frightening scene was a highlight, it wasn’t the only good part of the episode. Though the story about Tommy’s father, T.L., feels a bit stalled – it’s still uncertain if he’ll play a major role or just be there to contrast with Tommy’s grief – other things are starting to heat up. Specifically, Monty’s shady dealings and insurance claims are causing some serious trouble.

The discussion about M-Tex’s finances became confusing due to complex details about company structures and debts. Basically, M-Tex funded its major purchases using loans to different companies, and Monty borrowed as much money as he could from the banks. It’s currently unknown where that money is now or who is responsible for repaying the loans. This is a serious issue that could draw unwanted scrutiny from the IRS, which M-Tex can’t afford right now. Adding to the problem, Monty’s accountant, Alan, is avoiding Cami’s attempts to contact him.

I couldn’t believe it when Tommy and Cami finally found Alan – it was at this fancy place, the Cattlemen’s Club in Fort Worth. What followed was hilarious! Cami totally took charge, stepping into the tough-cop role and splashing water on Alan over and over. It was amazing to watch, and Tommy was right there with her, even holding off a worried waiter who kept trying to intervene. Honestly, it was a really funny scene!

Alan avoids giving clear answers about the money, only offering a vague overview of where it’s held – in holding accounts, an offshore drilling company, and private equity funds. It seems like there’s a much larger and more troubling issue at play. Meanwhile, Gallino has reappeared, now going by the name Danny Morrell, and claiming to be involved in legitimate business. Tommy confronts him, accusing him of drug dealing and voicing his legitimate concerns about the partnership with Cooper. Danny, unsurprisingly, doesn’t appreciate the accusation, claiming he simply “reinvests income” and “diversifies revenue.”

Danny and Tommy reach a standstill, with Danny reminding Tommy that he rescued him from the cartel previously. Cooper has paused work on the seventh drill site as his father instructed, but Danny likely won’t accept this arrangement for long. More importantly, the story is revealing striking similarities between the main character and his opponent. After Tommy nearly attacks Alan and encounters Danny at a club, Danny highlights the hypocrisy – Tommy is also a criminal who justifies his actions as simply “business.”

Tommy and Danny’s planned meeting quickly expands when Danny’s wife, Bella, and Cami join them. Angela also shows up, eager to meet Tommy. Honestly, this group get-together is the most engaging part of the episode. There’s some underlying tension with Danny being there – especially since Tommy is the only one who knows his secrets – but it’s mostly a fun, character-driven scene. While Angela is still her usual boisterous and flirtatious self – this episode already includes two rather explicit encounters – she feels more realistic when interacting with other women.

The meeting helps develop Cami’s character, and she’s quickly becoming one of the most interesting people on the show. Demi Moore delivers a particularly strong performance in this episode, skillfully showing Cami’s sadness over Monty’s death and her struggle with his potentially dishonest dealings. She wants people to remember him fondly, but she can only be sure he was good to her.

Watching the two couples, Cami wonders how unusual it is to truly know someone after loving them for a long time. She observes that it’s special to see a love that has grown stronger with time, and notes how touching it is to be surrounded by it. This moment subtly reveals Cami’s sadness. I appreciated how the story used Tommy and Angela’s relationship effectively – it’s a dynamic I don’t always enjoy. I even smiled when Tommy accidentally referred to Angela as his wife while seemingly proposing. Danny points out that Tommy is supported by the strong women around him, and it makes you wonder if Taylor Sheridan is improving at writing female characters.

He often seems to take one step forward and then slip back again, and we’re seeing that with Ariana’s story. I previously said Cooper was her main financial support, but I forgot to mention he secured a million-dollar settlement for her after her husband passed away. However, that money won’t last forever, and in this episode, she’s already motivated to start working and earning her own income. This bartending job at The Patch is actually the first job she’s ever had, but she’s proving to be a dedicated employee.

Honestly, this scene wasn’t groundbreaking, mostly just checking in with Ariana and showing us her new life. (We barely see Cooper, which was a little odd.) But I actually enjoyed watching her navigate this new, stressful work environment. It was pretty cringey when some creep immediately started making comments about her, though. I literally gasped when she threw her drink in his face and then smashed the glass into his nose! Thankfully, it led to a surprisingly sweet moment where Barney told her to lean on her coworkers if she ever feels unsafe. It was a good reminder that she doesn’t have to deal with that kind of harassment alone.

Like a lot of episodes from Sheridan, this one had a frustrating habit of taking a step forward with potentially empowering moments, only to immediately pull back. It happened with some overly focused shots on Ariana, and then with a line of dialogue suggesting it’s okay to check someone out, as long as you’re ‘respectful’ about it and keep it to yourself! Honestly, it felt like a weird endorsement of objectification. Thankfully, Ainsley wasn’t in much of the episode – just a few scenes where she complained about her brother and did some gymnastics. I’m telling you, less Ainsley, more Cami, more Andy Garcia, and a little bit of genuine suspense… that’s what makes a Landman episode really work.

Boomtown

This episode also shows Angela searching for a new home in Fort Worth, though there aren’t many details to share about that part of the story just yet.

I really like the connection between Tommy and Cami. Tommy’s warning to her about the potential downsides of staying in the industry might actually come true.

Billy Bob Thornton’s reaction to tasting the more expensive Michelob Ultra – he exclaimed ‘This is pretty good!’ – was hilarious. Looking back, it’s clear he mostly just wanted a bottle to use on Alan.

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2025-11-30 21:55